Ryan Reynolds Explained Why People Might Not Think He's Funny, And It Makes Sense

It feels like there were three big debates this year: the presidential debates, the debate over whether Cheesecake Factory is appropriate for a date, and then the one over whether Ryan Reynolds is "funny."

Let me explain: Earlier this year, Martha Stewart said the Deadpool star, who lives next door to her, isn't as funny IRL as he's been onscreen.

"You want to know something? He’s not so funny in real life," she said on the game show Rent Free. "No, he’s not so funny. He’s very serious. He’s a good actor. He can act funny, but he isn’t funny. Maybe he can get to be funny again."

Obviously, the comments quickly went viral and sparked an online conversation about Ryan's humor (or lack thereof). Ryan also wound up chiming in amid the debate, saying, "I’d disagree with her. But I tried that once. The woman is unexpectedly spry. She really closed the gap after a mile or so."

Twitter: @VancityReynolds

Ryan further discussed her comments in a recent conversation with the Hollywood Reporter and said he honestly doesn't think Martha meant any harm. "If you can’t take a punch in this business, you’re in trouble," he said. "But why would people ever assume the way they see you on camera is how you’re going to be in real life? Right? You’re just a person. But I do it, too. I’m a fan of people and I love certain people’s work, and I’m thinking when I meet them, I want to see little glimpses of that."

Ryan continued, "I don’t think what happened was designed to hurt anyone. That was just an incredibly valid observation that someone made."

Noting that "lots of people would say I’m very serious if they met me," Ryan added, "I can’t imagine entering any room in which I don’t intimately know the people, where I suddenly kind of turn on and perform."

"I’ve always been one to be very quiet, and part of that is anxiety I’ve carried with me since I was a kid," Ryan said. So, "Yes, I’ve always been much more shy around people that I don’t know unless I’m stepping out on a stage."

Makes sense to me! I probably wouldn't be considered funny in that case, either.

What do you think of Ryan's comments? Share your thoughts below.