This may not be exactly what the author is writing about (which is a more about creativity), but I find that Matt Levine's writing is just about the perfect rat

This may not be exactly what the author is writing about (which is a more about creativity), but I find that Matt Levine's writing is just about the perfect ratio of serious to glib. The playful parts are clever and usually in service of whatever point he's making. Entertaining and relatable without the air of trying too hard. James Mickens is another example, though he leans toward being a humorist first rather than a Serious Person being a bit playful.