http://andrewbrunelle.com/2006/09/14/joke-structure/ A website devoted to philosophy, spirituality, humor, and everything in between Sat, 30 Aug 2008 07:50:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1 http://andrewbrunelle.com/2006/09/14/joke-structure/#comment-41 Don’t Lie for a Laugh « Comedy and Philosophy Blog Tue, 26 Sep 2006 14:07:41 +0000 http://andrewbrunelle.com/2006/09/14/joke-structure/#comment-41 [...] Don’t lie for a laugh because it will not get as big a laugh.  The whole basic concept in comedy has to come from some enthusiasm that what you are saying is something you actually believe.  Now, I’m not talking about the act-out, punchline, or the mix.  I’m talking about the basic premise for the joke.  Don’t sacrifice your credibility for a laugh.  For example, you could joke about having a child when you don’t but that’s just stupid because it won’ sound the same coming from a non-parent.  This is probably because you’re putting on a fake front.  It’s much harder to manufacture enthusiasm about a joke if you’re not feeling the way you tell it.  It’s easier to joke about something you’re genuinely enthusiastic about than just pull something about of the air.  I mean, the punchline can be crazy and hit has to be surprising to some extent, but don’t make it something you can’t really believe.  For example, Judy Carter wrote about one of her students saying she lived alone her whole life on stage and the material was really funny, but it didn’t get any laughs.  So after the show, Judy talked to her and found out that she’s happily married with three kids.  I finally understand the whole analogy that comedy is therapy.  You have to pull out from your personal experiences and observations.  [...] […] Don’t lie for a laugh because it will not get as big a laugh.  The whole basic concept in comedy has to come from some enthusiasm that what you are saying is something you actually believe.  Now, I’m not talking about the act-out, punchline, or the mix.  I’m talking about the basic premise for the joke.  Don’t sacrifice your credibility for a laugh.  For example, you could joke about having a child when you don’t but that’s just stupid because it won’ sound the same coming from a non-parent.  This is probably because you’re putting on a fake front.  It’s much harder to manufacture enthusiasm about a joke if you’re not feeling the way you tell it.  It’s easier to joke about something you’re genuinely enthusiastic about than just pull something about of the air.  I mean, the punchline can be crazy and hit has to be surprising to some extent, but don’t make it something you can’t really believe.  For example, Judy Carter wrote about one of her students saying she lived alone her whole life on stage and the material was really funny, but it didn’t get any laughs.  So after the show, Judy talked to her and found out that she’s happily married with three kids.  I finally understand the whole analogy that comedy is therapy.  You have to pull out from your personal experiences and observations.  […]

]]> http://andrewbrunelle.com/2006/09/14/joke-structure/#comment-42 mr skin Wed, 18 Oct 2006 05:38:28 +0000 http://andrewbrunelle.com/2006/09/14/joke-structure/#comment-42 I heard Robin Williams new flick Man of the Year isn't doing so well at the box office? It looks like a great movie though. I love the guy, ever since I first saw him on Mork and Mindy. I heard Robin Williams new flick Man of the Year isn’t doing so well at the box office? It looks like a great movie though. I love the guy, ever since I first saw him on Mork and Mindy.

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