Situations like that are generally a case of just not finding your own voice yet.  Wong and I have strong similarities in our writing because 1) We’ve written together since before the internet and 2) he does my editing, so his influence will always show through.  If not in the actual writing style, then at least in its core ideas.  I’m influenced by him because I’ve work directly with him.  That’s not a bad thing.

The only way to get past writing in someone else’s voice, though, is to keep writing.  It’s not only a case of practice, but one of confidence.  When you get confident enough to just say what you want to say without worrying about making it all flowery and eloquent, that’s when your voice comes out.

My suggestion is to not worry about the comedy on your first or second pass of an article.  Convey the idea itself — the message.  If it isn’t interesting enough to stand on its own without the jokes, you’re not on the right track.  If it is interesting, then the jokes will only make the piece more enjoyable to read.  And in my experience, the comedy is actually easier to write when you’re playing off of a completed draft.