Anton Chekhov, who died at the age of 44 of a totally hilarious case of consumption.

---

Dear Dr. Boli: Why do Chekhov’s “comedies” always end with a suicide? I mean… ha ha? —Sincerely, Amberson P. Scrawl, theater critic for the Dispatch.

Dear Sir: Some people think a fat man falling down is funny. Some people think a society matron getting hit in the face with a custard pie is funny. Chekhov laughed and laughed every time someone went into a dark room and shot himself. “De gustibus, aut bene, aut nihil,” as some guy once said.