The present article tries to focus on the complex texture of television comedy. On the basis of a discussion of a Danish subtitled version of Carrott's Commercial Breakdown, it is suggested that rather than complicating the successful translation of wordplay, the non-verbal elements creating the basis of much wordplay in television may indeed act as part of the solution. Thus, translating wordplay in an environment as semiotically complex as a satirical television program is probably no more difficult than translating wordplay in the 'words only' environment of a satirical novel. Although successful subtitling of some of the wordplay found on TV demands media-specific awareness, in the final analysis the overall quality of the outcome depends on the talent of the subtitler.