I don’t just try to be funny.

Taken at face value, Keane’s remark suggests a distinction between manufacturing jokes and pursuing a broader artistic aim. As the creator of a long-running family comic strip, he is often read as implying that humor is a byproduct of observing everyday life—especially domestic life—rather than an end in itself. The line can be understood as a defense of gentle, character-driven comedy: the goal is to depict recognizable human behavior, sentiment, and small truths, and the funny moments arise naturally from that fidelity. It also hints at craft and restraint: not every panel must chase a punchline if the strip’s larger purpose is warmth, insight, or storytelling.