Greg Dean..knows the territory he writes about and ‘provides a wealth of auts-anud-bolts advice. 1 yo thnk you're funny, and you want cthers to think 30 00 this thetbook for you the fundamental of being fanny and ofr Tepes incl and performing routines © coping with stoge tight © rcaing with emcees who think they'e funnier than you areContents Foreword by Steve Allen ‘Acknowledgments Daou Have What Ie Takes ro Bes Comedian? 1 The Secrets of ake Seuctte ‘Sexup and Punch ‘What a Joke Der Expectation and Supe Hows Joke Works It Story and 2nd Story ‘The Thee Mechaniems of foke Srctre 2. Joke Waiting: The Joke Prorector “The Joke Mine: Exploring the Secret Pasagewsy 55 What wo Write Jokes About: The Joke Promectr “TheJoke Map ‘Surveying for Maer: From Tic w Setup ‘Theo Mine: From Setp 0 Pach Jake Map Opis: Pstiog Another Come Gatoozton 44> From Funny to Funnier: Improving and Polshing Your Gems ‘eonomy Ee ait dake Ree oder tenon ee nate ores [Ss Te oe le veo es Aaa re ae oan ites ee Sens Baw S2SSSeyRRELESSS SAPSEE BT annemCones ours 5 AmmbingsRoine “ Ans Ch Epler Tr Pur Eich ote ns Spt nex Cand 3S ‘tea Do Yur Bor E Own fe Jaen Canes ° ; SAtmerekerSoOne Tho Lento Net Meats Pofoming 8 {Reon Rew Rese n ‘ve Sie Fe Me Grpn id Gory Pink th 6 Poin View Nami, Se, Chancer ” Dating Borsee Be Naser FOV How You Poco Thing a aNontcpane Cron the Her Line ia Soeeee » Nid Heer te STOW How You Pecive Thing aPacinne ‘Character POV: How You Perceive Things as Someone Getring Experience 168 cxsomatng Ee pen Mis 1s oe Stomeue Cbs Unpaid Spon ‘es ee, Oran Yor Ome Saw tt formes Fn 7 Reem Charan Civic Cub Metin The ratrand the Cie Socal Pie Wye! Peers Sones ti 8 Greg Dean's Rehearsal Process _ i ett Rateane Maling» Good Show Crat 1% Phase One Frepamtion Toph Show i Fas To edhe Execs Rat i Jt tt has Tae: Pc eso ie, Reve and Rearange in Aehews wn an Aas 8 10 Micphone Technique Devan Dens Pes Peformance ‘Can Ting “Tape Recor Every Show ‘The Fine Show Prepare a Show Lit Supply an inaction Warm Up (Get On Stage Dung the Apple ‘Avo Cliche Greeting Deveop a Stong Opeing Line ‘Adknowledge the Obvious Watch Ou fo the Motor fom the Serpe with [Never Make Fun Somes Treat the Avie no Woh Ail What tos When the Awtetes ul Glossy of Comedy Nemenclare 13Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Comedian? ee ‘Are You Funny? ‘Were you always kept afterschool fo being the cas cutup? Can you do an irpresion of your boss ‘Do people often look at you lke the RCA Vieter dog? ‘Do You Need Money? ‘Are you ona fist-name basis with everyone atthe unemployment sce! Do youknow what’ harpening on As he Worl Tens! Have youbeen considering teaching Driver's? Have You Lived a Bizarre Lifet ‘Ate you onthe ouside looking out) Dil you hit your head really hard when you were aki? Daring your fist sexual encounter, dif you wejumrer cables! [Do You Love to Make People Laugh? ‘Have you ignored all of your teachen’ effors ro shut you up since Kindergarten? Have you been fred for dotngan impression of your bos? ‘Ave you will sing jumper cables? I yors armed yest any of these questions you might as well admit [eYoute one ofthe addicted. You a joke-ahoic: But you can find he Shuck Cenet for the Chronically Funny. ‘Yom be thirking, "Those profeonal comediansare reat!” They aes bur there no diference betwen yo ard dem hata ele knowloY Hane What Ie The Be « Comet ‘ele and expenece cant fx. At ce time, they were jus like you. Like succes peopl in any other cb, they et where they ate dhroagh hard work. You, howeverjhave the advantage: this indapersable guide which will take you step-by-step toward» career in stanap comedy, Soifmakingalivingheing foray appeals to you, read on. The Secrets of Joke Structure ‘What i a joke? Funny you should ask, Most people would define 2 joke ss something someone says or does that makes oehers laugh. That ‘atement, though tu, does’ realy cell ws what joke. just de- seribes the desited effec. What about jokes that get a huge laugh in tne situation and roar of allence in another? Ifa joke decent ge a laugh, desi suddenly sto being aye? People usally recognise ajoke whether it makes them laagh or not ‘Why Beene there i sme condstert,inrewiesructare thot every” ‘one identifies aa joke. Until now, noone has presented this structure in anunderstandable manner. That's abont to change. Exlaining joke seracure i exactly what this chapter i all about ‘Setup and Punch Lets begin with whar most people already know about jokes. Tradi- tionally, ake contains two part: (1) the sep and (2) the rch Take this joke or example, by A. Whitney Brown: | saw my grandmotie the oes dy. probably forthe Ise. ‘Oh, she’ ot sicko anything she just bores the hell out of me. To elp explain joke structure, Ive designed a vival device I cal ‘the Joke Diagram. Lets place the above joke in Diagram 150 you can leary ide the setup and punch:Ste by Sep Sun UpCaey Diagram 1 saw my grandmother the other day (Oh, she's net sck or anrhing ‘mobably othe lasttime Setup she jut bores the hel out of me Panch ‘The sexup and punch are usally defined in this way ‘The tere heft por ofl hat es up he laugh ‘The pach isthe econ part dha wakes you laugh Tai a te dot am anything. Let's see if we can do better. 3 What a Joke Does: Expectation and Surprise The up and che pun i dette to epee and ne {vse Take this joke by Seeve Maran; notice how the stup causes you to expect something: Sex is ene othe most beaut, wholeeme, and natal things Then see how the punch seprses you with: —that money can bu, Atthispeine you maybe thinking. “That's rive? Whar’ the big deal about that?" Wel he ty del this: In oF ‘der to work, joke has to supe you. The rch & docs Ie eauscs you to expect ene thing, them pies you with tnathet So, heres a revised dei “The Setupcteatesan exes tatin The fan The Seow of Joke Sma Now that you understand this, you shouldbe able eo write great joke, right? ‘Wrong Ie is't enough to know what a joke does You need to know Iowa joke does it. How a Joke Works: Ist Story and 2nd Story In email enided “Jokes.” (Pryor Tay, October 1985), Vie tor Raskin ofr « "wipe based semantic theory of humor” which roposed tha aentence joke” has two scp However, becuse Enanee theory destiny only with words and thei implications Sprliation 1 pyscal anal nonverbal comedy ws limited ler askin’ term from erpto sry, which mae It possible for 0 m= sly the conop all fers of hemor. ox js language based ok “Through Raskin’ righ ound the fine ie of joke trae. The evclzion ofmy Joke Ding tera with this scorer. “The setup ofa Joke creates # se sury in oar minds that leads ws expect something, then the punch surprises ws witha 2rd story thats omptible with, ye somehow diferent form, what we're expecting. For example, imagine a male comic, appearing vo be completely gic seecken, tein this joke: |SADEY? Ay wile just rao with my est rend Boy, do mis him. ‘The setup creates a Tat story: A ran is unhappy because e mses is sje, We expect the story to continue along that theme, so wee se- prised when the punch revealsa 2nd sry: A man isunbppy becewe erie hic by Putin this joke in Diagram 2 wil give you vil depiction of how the setup and punch create and reveal these two story lines:‘Sept Sept Stand-Up Canady Diagram 2 ISADLY) My wife just an off with my bes feed Setup 1st Story Hes way bce he mes wf Ifa joke doesnt have two story line is not joke. So, ifthe punch doesn’ereval a 2nd story in, then what you've gotsa or of single sor stor, but nota joke. For instance: (SADLY My witejust an of with my best rend Bey, do mie he Not exactly a knee-slapper. This starts of at» sory about » man, ‘ising his wife and ic ends up the sume way. Theres no 2nd story, theres no suprise. And since there’ no suprise. there’ no joke. Setup and Ist Story What’ the diference between the Ist story and che setup? Actually, thee two elements all very diferent functions within joke seretute ‘Asef pat ofthe joke, the setup ithe words ender actos sel © he audeee to expect something Nothing more. Then, bau on the setup the Let story isthe deal en imagined by the ance of what they expect to he true. ‘Let me ilasrate chs with an old tandant joe: For fry yeas "ve een marie and in love withthe sane wom an. Himy wife ever finds ot she ill me When the comic sae, “For frty ya I've ben marie and in love with the same woman,” taal ony hate the setup. The frm note elaborate Tat sory. Since che Ix sory create the mtb te iene, Lean say exacty what sts ih, ws bare ay version: The Sees of Joke Scare Ahi Fry year tgs dy have bea ch nl il ie and were thle to work out thes ferences reman hap: Hes sever ‘heaton brand planerobe with her the est of his. ‘That's more oles the Ist story mos: people would construct. AS you can sc, the Ist try has conniderbly more detal than the sep. ‘Sowhere deesall thar detail come from! This larger etry has heen bul by raking assumptions about the information inthe seup- Assumptions allow uto make sense of seme thing when we ge limited information. Based on our own life expet- tence, we consantly make cis kindof specularve esp. So naturally the Ist story conains much more information than the xp. Punch and 2nd Story “The relationship between the punch ara the 2 sory parallel chat ‘of the setup and the It story, As the second part ofthe joke, the punch isthe words andor actions wed to sre te audience. Nothing more. Based on the punch, the audience imagines a detailed 2 cory that ic compatble with the serup, yr is unexpected Sill wing the same jokes punch, “If ay wie ever Finds out shell kil me," here my version of the 2nd story: Despite stayin i a erie mariage this man has never divorced. To fied vome eprint, helen ov witha mates and has ber atleto werkt outwith hero she'd stay with ham foe fet eas ever ‘though he’ mained marred He lives inconstan: fear thats wile wil id eutabovt his long cme fair andmake hse with her more miserable than aleady is. ‘Again, the 2nd story 84 much moce detailed yeenario than the pench, You may have imagined a slghaly diferent scene, vet the st ‘ee sory wil remain ety consistent from person to person. ‘What [want to emphasie is how much informaicn resides wai tajoke shat nor stated in the stupor the punch—the information We al by making assumptions, ‘Whusr Exacty Is ax Assumenion? Ve sorry assumed youknew, An sumption canbe any thought based ‘on king something for granted, pesupposing,conjecturing. prem:Step by ep Sand-p Comedy Diagram 3 "had arma pac fala done, and for tree daysmy face looked much beter. 1st Story The fei re he comi ce loin skin for ree days. ‘Target Assumption: Theva we hen off pt of the fac 2d Story: The coc weld aru forthe das wth 4: conor fw ocala cbr Then the mud fll of, Punch 2. The taret assumption is the assumpeion directly shattered by the Inach. Every joke with a snap is designed to manipulate an audience tne> imaging a 1st xory by making assumptions. The pench then te- veils a 2nd story that surprises the audience by targeting ne ey a sumption and making it wong Fr insanc, ofall he assumptions yeu ‘male about the setup ofthe above joke only the target sumption —Be ‘ul was taken of es part ofthe facial wae directly shattered by the ‘punch —"Then the md ell ff" ‘Tancer Assumrion: Jons Winiout Serurs ‘You might be asking yourel, "What about all those funny comments ugh a chat den’ have setups Kea fact shot there's whole laa ‘of foes that have no formal seups. Siangey env, they sil have ‘target assumption, but ther’ no need fora setup because the target asumpcion aed ees inthe indo he wa, Let me illasirace his with something that actly happened ome. 4 was sitting ina Chinese resmurant ln ne nil Iva an then: tie extahlhment, ad qnost rane, many ween pe heaton wate Adan vv aly Hoey haa TV ap in The Sexe of Joke Sucre ‘the comer ofthe room where everyone could see it, and a Gallagher ‘once was starting. Gates mates ene ing ec wth sare hele and everybody cracked wp laughing: Regards cor cultura Aerences everyone had the target essen tha fora whee to work Jrepery it must be round. Because this niormation is universally o«- {opted thers no need fora serup- Forthe joke to succeed al that was ‘per was a punch—in the fern of aqua wheele—which made chs ‘exiting target asumption wrong © Many jokes hare target sssimptins that mest peor accep based on physical ws, societal bises, clara and ational presuppositions Aertel defitions serectypes, and fama envionment, name afew ‘examples: On dil kat, people make millions of assumptions without fever eating tI thse unconscious assumptions thac ae ergeted by Jobeswithou setups. Whenever aryene asumes anything, fou got the hiking of joke. This & where encemetation comes in _Runsrexnerarion:Joutswrns Pescuss We know thatthe setup creates an expectation when the aulience ‘ide 2 Tee tory by making assumptions; the punch then shatters a Hey asurpsin (the target assumption) and reveals 2 2nd story. The Junch does this by presenting an respected terreno of srnehing [inthe setup. This unexpected interpretation i called reierretaton. ‘The renterpreacion mast adhere to two rules, described below. The reiuerpetaton isthe dex pom wich the punch's Pd sory ed. fs asthe target assumgeion creates the Ist stor, the eoterpre- tation creates the 2nd sory Tae thisjoke for exangle: ‘My aradtaher died pexceflly in his see. Butthe bids on his bus ‘were screaming. “The reinterpretation is chat he was sleeping atthe wheel of bus Which isthe basis forthe 2nd story, thatthe ranather ded a bus Aerck fcr fang ele ot he wel cing the ito scream. This, in ttn, bs communicated asthe punch “Buc che kids on his bus were seesming.” ingran 4 shows you where the reinte Diagram sion fis on the Joke5 by Sew Sn Comedy Ing, forecasting, projecing onc, thevraing abou, speculating upon, o¢ accepting that something isasits cays been. ‘Sten #2: var par oF Anne OU mac 9 TAROT DIET PACU AN ASM, ‘Any appect ofa something you cannot se, hea, fel, at, ot sell ‘exists only asan astmpeic. Thecharees ae tht it doe xi bat tnce ‘yeuhavenno directevidence that i dees, youre making an assumpeicn. ‘We do this because human beings a x rale, have a profound need for things to make sense. If somethieg dosen't make sense, well fillin ‘the information ic will mae sense, and we do that by taking as- ‘smote on curr exer ing this nt aad thing Infact, its sbsoltcly necessary Ina «wold wihoussumprions You'd have to carefully exteach step you tok tomake sue the flor would hold your weight. Youtt have to peek behind everything wo isd ove whether the backs were actually ‘here. Youd ave to lookin a mirtor to make sue you'e ell human, You! have ocall dhe IRS every yearto determine if the tll wanted vourmoney Get the idea? ‘The fact that our perspective limits the information we can expeti- ence directly and that we ln the remaining vod with esumptions allows us to be surpried by something other than what we assumed |e this mental phenomenon that makes jokes posible ‘As 've mentioned, the setup andthe It sory and the punch and the nu tory are different but necessary elements of joke structure ll of ‘hese things show how a joke works. So now ye know exactly how 00 write a je, rghe? Well er no. Not quite. In onder to writen joe. youl ead to knew the three mechanisms fr constricting al carting the 18. sory and 2nd sor. The Three Mechanisms of Joke Structure When we examine hon + jake mechaniams ines tv achieve teeta ili ing forthe exact wh the mecha The Secs of ole Sucre “nisms wll son enable you © wse my step-bystep joke-writing system the Joke Prospctce (se Chapter 2) ‘So far you've learned that dhe setup createsa Ist story which keds ‘to ceruin expectations, and then the punch reveals an unexpected 2nd ery How is this accomplished? ‘Target Assumption and Reinterpretation: “Two Interpretations of One Thing call the fist two mechanisms of jake strate age: asin and e- These ae related mechanisms with che argetasumgtion ey ingredient ofthe It story and the reinerpretation the pivoral {eemponent ofthe 2d ery [sy “lated mechanisms” because each ‘ferent inerpesation of the sae ching. The target 2>- con pres an eset interpretation of thar thing and the rein- ‘epretation evel: an inespced interretition ofthat very same thing pancer AsounarionsJoxss wr Sevurs AS discuss calc, when an aulience ses or hears a setup they build ‘als sory by making » vast ramber of assumptions. One ofthese 18° sanyo wll be the tare esenpeon What es the get asumption “apar from the othe asumgtions is chat i fulfil two unique cites, 1, The tars axsinpcon i the key earn upon which the Ist stor is ‘ull Ofal the asumpeions made to imagine a sory, one key asmp- ‘on gives the Te ary i specific meaning. That i if you don't make ‘thackey or target assumption, you'll Imagine a very diferent story han the one rege to make the ake work. Take thisold joke, forexample: | Thad 2 mud pack facial done, and fr thee days my face looked much beter. The the mud fell off. “The effectiveness ofthe setup hinges on your making a taget a sumption—dat the mua was taken off spar of he ec, Making chat (ey) camer asaurpricn led you to imagine 2 Ist story, in which the ‘mud pack facial ge he comic nicelookng skin fer hee dans. Then the punch serpried you by revealing a very diferent 2nd story—that he ‘ome wllad around for three day witha mud-coverel face, which actal- ty taped hr fer doks. Diagram 3 shows where the auger ssp. ton fits onthe Joke Praga,Sey by Sty Sand Comedy Diagram 4 My randfther die peacoflly in hie slop. ‘Setup 1 story The randfher wa t home lepine he dof rar cases ‘Target Assumption: He was dein ia it he, [Reinterpretatio: He wassapngatih whe of at. 2ad stoey: The nlf ded nas wrk fer illng alee atthe whe ming the ho xc But the kids on his bus were screaming. Punch 2. The reinterpretation reveals an urespce interpretation of he thing cbout ic he sage simp is made. Within the setup, there’ some hing shout which the audience makes the targe sumption If you invert ste Diagsan 4 youl discover that de deeping grande tthe ng that «caused you fo make the tagetasumgtion he was ein in Hs be as wells the entereetaton that he wat sheng the ied of he ‘These wo interpretations of one hing ae een making a ole work: When apunch presensa reinterpretation, the audience scon- fronted wth an unexpected yet compatible interpretation of the thing within che step. This makes them review theirasumgtions until they ‘enti the one chat is waong, thus shattering that argc assumption ‘eae #2 Toe A oF 1 TERTATION 10 SHAT TARGET ASMITON. ‘Shattering the arget assumption with ect velnterpretation is what reassures. When our joe shaten pepe assumptions, they lgh Now nr hck vee ween ent andupese Only new you understand bow the ne tant muni and relnterpeetation cise thew Ingen Te Sees ef Joe Score RenTenpnerarion: Joxes Wintour Puscaes ‘Now you may be thinking."So ifthe punch must contain a reinterpre- “tation, what about jokes thar don’t have punch lines? Ir may seem but there are some jokes that don't require an expresed punch. “An example of this isthe following jake where the setup leads to an “inevitable, cbvious punch: “wert this expensive restaurant that had a waiter for everything. The water waiter gave me water. The cofee waiter gave me core. The head waiter. How did you commploethisjeke? Naughty, naughty. The reinterrets- bout the pear ceiving oral sex, sso ong imglid i doesnt “need tobe sled cut in the punch. The audience members supply the einerpetaton, which shatters the target ssumpion, However because “yoke allows he audience co Inf the punch doen’: mean the fut “imental of target assumption and reinterpretation don't apoly: They do. Whine Do Rensrrnsmerarions Cov Fam? Fin, you must understand tha everthing has many posible interpret Hons. Any itepetation other than theasumed one ia enterpreation Far instance, words can have multiple interpretations os wth this joke: 1 went o my doctor for shingler—he sald me aluminum siding. [Notice how the word shingles has multiple meanings. The assumed Interpretation that shingles means skin conditon—Is the target; the lunespected interpretation —that singles mem howe coverine—is the reinterpretation Tnaldition, objects can be interpreted in many ways. For instance, [se seen several comics do the sight gag of pretending to be on @ bench then se the mike stand as ifs @ metal detector. The target sumgtion i thatthe meta pole with he round hing om the end for Falling microphone; and the weinterpetaion is that the meal pole wth themed on the end a meta deco. ‘Reinterpretations come fos the kindof mind tha nice whatoth- ‘rss, ther uncovers or invents alternative interpretarions. To do ene hing in eo way this funny peop mast be al eo inConnscor One Thige lterpretd At Least To Ways Atthe cent fe strain mci wich cal he comer die oe ny ret atl ws ter inthe connecter in one way vie the tnt amp Sots mah nin terpenes Incl gardhr fol he connector se en Jes the one sing interpre iwo wey ou cane when fos ‘Dagan Diagam $ sy warded pact nh se, Jat Story: The mandate was thane deg when he ded oj naneal ean “args Assumption: He wa sephgin hi be {Connector The skein rnd Aetterpetatin: He was length wed of as, 2nd story: The gander det nus eek fer fling cep at Be ed ing dei ran Butthe kids en his bus wore screaming, Punch "Notice the definition of the connector includes "in atleast two ‘ways Connectors can have many possible intepetacons te ssi ply the minimum required t construct joke. When a connector ean be interpreted in several ways, it can result a joke with mukile punches. Tis brings ust the connectors tequizement: The connec: ‘tor must he oaly one thing Jokes arerathersple structures because they revolve around onecen- tn idea. If theres more than one contacto, thre’: more than ove joke. Thinleabout i Two connectors would lead ww target asungtions ad {wo Feintrpettions which in turn would reqite two setups and two punches, hence two jokes. Oe conretor pe ake all you need. 2 Since any hg cat be connector, dhe challenge tin recognizing “As we dscsed in the previous section cn reinterpretation, word and “thjpcs ler theses to mltple inerpetations,so they make excel “ai connectors For the oke “I went ro my doctr forsingle>—he sold sluninum siding” the cormector isthe wor sings, because ithe Tine thing incepeced as both a kin condition and house covering. AS for the micophone sand sight gig, the connector isthe mike tnd bees Wear be wel forked microphone o 2 a metal detect. [Nocall jokes ore constructed with ute words and objects here “osunple ftom a silent movie comedy, using only boy argue a8 Pic this scene: A wealthy drunkard in his parlor finds a Ine fron his wife ying sh’ lef him and wont renum anit he stops He curs away from the camera ard walls > counter He Thang his head, and his shoulders bev shaking up and down spassed- Jelly, He’ sobbing, sight! Crying bis eyes out over losing her? Nope. ‘He turns around, and we see he's shaking up drink ina mari mi {Can you figute out the connector before you lok at Diagram 6? 6 "_-Avwnaliny drunkard ia his parler nds a note rom his wife saying she Tek hr, and wort come back unas he dops drinking. He tums away for the camera ard walks over to 2 counter. He har his head, apd Ii shculders ben shaking up and down spasmodically. at Story: He's because is wife ice hes ‘He tums around, and we se e's shaking up a dink inamarini xe.———_ ir This is perfect joke structure sine only boy language, wih the ‘connector being the shaking of his shoulders. That motion tthe thing that cases you to make dhe target assumption that he's crying. Then the shaking of is hous is reinterpreted and reveals that sctualy he's mic a drink. By the was, that scene i from & Charlie Chaplin film called The lle Cas. Now I know you'e saying to yourself "Thots rer, bu it int fr «ll joke." I beg to disagree. These fundamentals of joke structure ate the stm forall joke. It does’ matter whether the laugh emanates ‘rom the wit of literary sey, clown’ pall remark in ast tion comedy, ay joke, an accidental humorous ony, a of-han: ced comment ata port, a funny riddle, oF a gig without an overt setup or punch—the underlying structure isthe same ‘The problem in recognizing chese fundamentals is that there are s> ‘many joke format varations. The structure is offen masked by the na ture ofthe character performing the joke, hidden deep within cutatel hough this with even less explanation because if ‘you're notclearabcut how thissystem works by now, you should eon sera job that requires a shovel 4. Choose 4 Renrtnnnetanos, ax Courost ¢ 2up Sons: “REL [ATIVE TO"THE SETUR, WHAT SPECINC STUNHION COLD EXPLATN MY RE- Going down the lit, wel pick ri Reinerremtion: He ke Wing ‘After asking the step's question and several more about how the speaker could wind up chasing hisown ca, came up wih this Pd tory: His bauer died and when he pu-stared the eral by hima it took of wml and he had co chase “This struck me as goed story; butt seed rocniic lightly with ‘the tpi implication that she speaker had jas awakened. That would ‘seco 0 place him in bedroom rathr than outside with his ear Thit ‘wasn't really problem, though, and ina second you'l see why '5, Warre 4 Punca Thar ExeREsses THE 2N0 Stony: “Iv avorTion THE SETUP, WHAT FORMATION IS NEEDED TO COMMUNICATE MY DSTOR GAR?” ‘When | answered this question to help me create a punch that would Lficctively exprent my 2nd ory lo adjusted the sep to fit the 2nd 3 bets. This was the result: “This momming | go up, wert ou, and ran five miles. Never push stant your car when you're alone ona hil Diagram 10 shows what this one loks lke Diagram 10 “This morning | got up, wen out and ran ive miles. Ae Story: He ahah got “Target Assumption Hera in rd gt execs, Connector: The ressn be an Reintegration: Hera cass car ws ling 2nd Story Hi hatry dad and when he ushsarted ‘he cr all by his, wok of downland be ha chase Never pash ar your cr when youre alone ona hil Punch This joke ricklesme, and Fd say av keer: Eek‘cp by Supt Sand Comedy ‘Ccossonally, youll come up with a great 2nd story that seems to clash with some litle dealin the setup. f that happens, make what ever adjustment are needed forthe joke to work. When it comes to Joke writing, nothing ise in stone. I's your eke, and you can change {tany way that sis you. In this cae, simply adding the wor ent on tothe setup placed the speaker outside and suggested that he ak just rolled out of bed. Ar the same time, it den’ aler the Is scr, tame esuption, or eannectoe. can’ beg to cover all the ways joke can be writen andrews ‘ten, 0T'l do the next best thing: encourage you to experiment. Between this punch andthe one about the bar pickup, we've wie ten ewo good jokes by digging diferent cannes through the pase, ‘But lets say that youstil dn’ lik any ofthe punches we've come up with (and maybe you don't). What do you do then? There il the option of ging all che wa back to Step2 ane choxning afferent et assumption, Go Bac 10 Ster 2: rox A DERERENT TARGET ASSUMPTION Our original setup ws: This morning got up and ran ive miles, Here's thelist of sumptions we compiled in Step 1: a He ran in order toget exercise. 1 Hes nor exaggerating about the distance, & Hes running ouside 4. [rm meanshe jogged cn his own fet. Hetreling che mith, You should he familiar with how the stape work by now. What I ally want you ro notice is how choosing a different carge asunten will ead you toa dfferent punch. 2. Pick A TARGET ASSUMPTION, AND LoeNTIFY THE CONNECTOR: "Whar is THE THING THAT CAUSED ME TO WAKE THIS TARGET AS This ime 'm going to ty super () Tange Assampcion: He's lings th [know that hs warner of communicating isthe cannector because ‘coud eto make the target assumption he's ling th ath ndication that his manner of commmaicang isthe connector face sha can he interpreted in more than one wa. ‘Sove: REWTERIRETATIONS FOR THE CONNECTOR: “OTHER {TE TAROET, WHAT OTHE INTERPRETATIONS ARE THEREFOR MT ie thissept question: ‘Other than the tage, what other interpretation are there for connector (his manner of communication)? A Hes yngacdnacuayrha fr ata Someties the posites ae sng A RaNTeRURETATION, AND ConPost A 280 Sort: “Rate "TO THE SETUP, WHAT SPECI SITUATION COLD EXPLAIN MY RE- choose (0. nceretaion: He hing ond ly rn ht foal ing this steps question and few more give me the decals 1 to create steele 2nd try hat explains how his could saying ran ive nea wher i actully ua all He’ traggng ato tengo wey hate cane someone ce 0 dh bistoezn fr hin Ware a Puscn mus Exrnesses me 2n0 Stowe: “In aDomON JT SETUP, WHAT INFORMATION IS NEEDED TO COMMUNICATE MY wwe to thissteps question I wrote this joke: ‘This morning! got up and ran ive mies Well, not me persona Wit pay aguy todoSk by Say Suan Up Comey Diagram 1 illustrates the whole joke. Diagram 11 This mong got uo and an five miles, Seup se toes He's «hath go-ne, ‘Target Assumptions H.'s lng he nh Connector The ata ran thf mde. Relnterpretations He's yng and i actly rn ht foror ata 2ad Story: He's a wedthy puoi tomzon jo fr ry Well, not me personaly | pay 2 guy to do that fr Punch ‘That's not too bad, especialy fora heavy set comic: Lovie Ander: sen could pecbably get a nice laugh from a joke ike that. This exam pe shows how going back to Step 2 and cheoning diferent range: sumption can lead to adferent joke. ‘What if ater going all the way through the pasage and exploring ‘ferent tunnels by choosing alternate reincepretations or target as ‘sumptions, you still haven hit pay dire ot hate the punches you've ‘coms up with? In the neat chapter 'l cover selecting another setup in the Joke Map section. ‘So far we've managed to develop a couple of decent punches fom one secup—apretry good strike. Thats the beauty of wing this joke system yu don't have t sie around wai ting bolt of inspiration, OF course yo Hue sometime, bu i you write every day or ned something fry right away, yout know how to go through the possagewsy ‘The Joke Mine ha Jobe Wiig to explore. Its designed tobe flextbie and help you expres your ‘of humoe. All you have to do i spend some time daging fort that you've learned about the element of joke structure, or you to enter the Joke Mine to explore the secre passage be- tecop and punch. Using a separate riece of paper phig the fo- setae into the form on gage 32 and write a punch for each { rove through an exclusive neighborhood. Iovas suck na hospital fora week Fot Father's Day, took my lates cutSep by Sup Sun Up Comedy Practicing the Joke Mine 1. Select a Setup, Then List the Asumptions: “What am | assuming about this statement?” What to Write Jokes About — The Joke Prospector Asumpens: 2. Pick a Target Asumption, and Ment the Connector: What is working comic has been asked the question, “Where do you get the thing thot caused me to make this target aston et ee ae Connector: 3. List Some Reinterpretations for the Connectct: “Other than the ‘target, what other interpretations ae therefor my connector” Reinterpretticns: 4. Chow a Reinterprettion, and Compose a 2nd Story: “Relative t» the reu, whatspecte situation could explain my reiacepectation” Write a Punch That Expresses the 2nd Story “In addition to the setup, what information is needed to communicate my 2nd story cheacly?” eas for your materal™ The urswe, of cous, is from my lif" that because I don't know anything abou you le. 4 an old writing adage tha sys, “Wize what you know” realy i you think aboue it, whae ese can you write? Asan artist have one incredibly precious thing that no one ee inthe entice Tas: your own perpecive. Thar’ why I urge you to write about World a you perceive te things that incetex you, and your ‘opinions and felines. Tell you truch. Whether the audience with you i ot an ue: Many atts, fom Pins to Andrew Cy have expresied points of view that an coancer to their 1 They tld her ensth, ad people—evenvsaly alot of people— to that truth. (Even though Preasso never did appear on .) thing you thoald never eve try to wie aout i what you pues lence mig ink i fey. There’ acsally «word for people who fry to write what they think somecne else wl lik: Flas. Mohave to comvider whether the audience wil he able rounder. ‘what you sy. But slays ely on your own sensibilities to guide when you'e making the itl decisions about whats fanny, nter- in, important, or simply worth talking about Ifyou really think something ternibly funny abour MeNugges, PMS, farting, poe snot or bu-thengs, then by all means write about those thins. don’ do ir bene you heard someone elie get laugh with it Many comedians never actively choose what they're going to write + ahout because they wait for inspiration. Anew outine comes to Mh all at once in an unpredictable flat of funny thoughes: Then‘Sepp y Sep St Up Comedy they dry up until he eat lightning bole strikes. These comics rly only cn this haphazard approach kecause they don't know any other wey Jn my epinion, Inspiration is without a doute the bese way to fen erate material. The subject mater is heartfelt and honest andthe jokes are usually well-structured because they come in an intane fash, However, if you wane w beable to write material on atop o! your choice at any time, you needa method. And, a you knew. I jus happen tohave one: The Joke Prospector ‘The Joke Map In he previous cater, we dug inc che Joke Mine to find punches fr setups. Here, 1'l explain how the Joke Map allows you to survey your We for the raw material sha wll ead to joke serups. Then we'll een ter the Joke Mine wo find punches fo them. If you're stating from ‘nothing the realization that you can write jokes about eveything can be overwhelming The Joke Map ass you in turning genetics {nc specifics, whichis esential because mae ‘Ser: To outs RE TOT 1 cannot overemphasze the importance ofthis secret. When) seudents have dficity wrinng material, es usualy because they'e a1 tempting to find a joke in some broad generality At soon as they be sin searching inthe details, they discover create. As the father o acting technique, Constantine Stanilavik, once sai, "Generali is the death of ar.” This ao applies to writing comedy—yeu ean rover be too speci ‘Nartowing your ideas from generalities to specific detail isthe rei mary function of the Joke Map. This e accomplished in five se helping you move frm a chosen tt citi purch-premie fonming asetup-premise, ae then writin some set Topic: Single Subject Presenting Some Choosing a eke topic ca he ile an ea anastrilden sandr Sin What Wt Joes Aout re rape inca hl, ening eosin, crave en where or don rey of os Hower cre won cant wenger opinions ee pe rece ce done rere then oe neal and pea Pytcd wep nance sch ora neat Mn of ty od ny ln cane op wth eying, When Maeno acs wher thy hare efits tes and problems, Hinder neal Smet ueonetotlpthen line oclem end c/s say Bor Andie Aen fomsy ths hot ns rt nny les Wy td de nny ge oe ch jal cemedy hides in the most unlikely places—painfl things. this mean I'm asking you to write jokes about painful things? . yeeand no. masking you ro wit jokes about something you Aone” san cement of pin in every joke, because things we conser ‘news pain in sme form, ranging fom agony tomild dscom- lnc the pain a obvious as Richard Pryor reenactment Theat atack, and sometimes as subile as Steven Walght’s exi- angst. Bur is ae there. Always ein wit the joke below and fllow how it was written ving Prospects postal workers re actualy very eficient—wih guns. we must consider iit fis the criteria of be- Tape hersffce Div single subject? Yes Like a sentence, paragraph chapter oF jr Joke scald have one idea at ts coe, Any creative endeavor Ha este cover more than ene cereals eal get lest becauseOe seine wn er onc Yeu Albogh the ue nto a teal he state nc ep pret note: pm a ae opin. The anc sents pc begin ith smh ee hc es Frente cous as For tne i wer wee i pe the ow eles Lan rca wg oer eo of figs A fancaon,beeeroe siete Youcan hare many opinons stone And dante gn ‘hancto exp lor opinions te poe pee Xe ind harap ee tha some rng ay foryoutcanbe minting wong rsomecnrs cine a Vist do mean by “ome dor sarc Robe Wiens tava iaboutchargghs bays daper nacho at as theft Rain bees had shes utc tan eon si sirb ordi ge Thc srlleanth et it ech eng ho m r Association List: Smaller Aspects (Once you've chosen general tpi, make an asciation list ofall the speci things you can think of rating to that tp. Keep the ents on the lit as short os posible and avoid long dexctptions. Its portant keep your choice speifi could li doo, forexampl, but that could he ‘an spect of almost anything. Choose things tented vith your topic fines boxes ams far ue coelel keyjinge Cavelpes sump dees sanps sing powcr lieing nel fulsb PObex —PO'bmloysempmncn es penyenges pugs ware panee sur Esp Nal tclen fei fee btnedogtetny febvcerty fal pretest pny tuples olthe mnth vehicles whe en ori se ‘Postal slogan (Neither rain, nor sleet...) 6 $$$ Punch-Premises A Negative Opinion ‘About a Simuller Aspeet ng you've selected a proper topic, you now need to narrow ies to» more specific concept which cal apunch-premis. The Teall ithe punch-premise that your punches wil, more of- than nor, bean expression of this concept. The punch premise is ofnion about a smaller espe ofthe topic. By negative opin- 1 mean a bunch of thing: negative thoughes, judgments, ati- feelings, emotional reactions, belief, and values. Since we're with something wrong (the topic), we're sure to have some ive opiniors. By emaller spect, | moana the details directly or tly elated to the topic. This is where your asoctacion list into play, because i consists entirely of sales aspects. Mo ceate a punch-premis, I'l select fom the sociation Lit the aspect delnering mad an ada the negative opinion: compere. Panch-premise: incompetent at dering ma ‘An important note: The purck-premie cannot contain example. Inclales an example of how the postal workers ae incompetent at tual i reticts the punch-premise tothe specifi area of ‘example, Here's badly formed punch-premise with an example “Bd Premise: incompetent delivering mal by hing tothe wrong awe ‘This incormeily conutnicte punch-premise restricts us to writing Jokes only abcut portal worken being incompereat at finding the er ect adress, which excludes being incemnpetent because they ar t00 sow, have erratic chedules, intentionally skp houses have the wrong Helghborhood’s mail, or anything cae we may wih to write about. A [punch-premise consists only ofa smaller aspect of the topic anda neg- Inve opinion about i Inthe Joke Prospector sem, having a well devised panch-premie lathe key. I your punch-premis is badly constructed, then the est of the method will go awry. Take the time to make sure your punch— premise is well formed before moving tothe next stepre Setup-Promise: Opposite Opinion to the Punch-Premise Since punches are expressions ofthe punch-premise, to wets setups youl ned to form «stup-prenise, which retain the ste unaller a ect ofthe punch-premise, but shift to an oftsite opinion. Keep this itp simple. All you ae doing is changing to an opinion ‘opposite from that of the punch-premise. The setup-premise the ‘concept fm which you will write your setups. Rate ea ececng oe eee ees hr tcmloece Co tls Lappe ett dome popes cnt sacs es eee Her wcrainne in Posed cee! Boge recceesey Setnp And Punch: Open (Dirty or by Dae) Sateen el cree a ae, dmbcatonapcsona aces rere, police anes es Golnuiewnlc ee coneenas” iinet ao Ox copofagenackeoen et acters ae Pig ge A fet oce ah come wtp thon ontang aed noen e Seely ee eens foe Mehagee Gomtantegee si ee ttt ne hae Tey rchoalce Bie Lecteseh on conn oon = a. ‘To reveal the opposites [ets treak the joke down into its funda- ‘mental elemens. In general terns, the stp is aboue the author hay. {ingthe plyfl, imaginative, anal ccatve sii faite boy, which ‘od. Then the punch gives us an opposite view the author keeping actual physical heart of» tle boy in a ple Jaton his writing Think mow people woul consider tha ad ther relationship between setup and punch i bad to worse, Ws less clear hecause its opposite by degree. To show you what here's joke frou my student Derek McKie: False with five sisters can really warp your mind was six Deore Lrealized | was at rd not just retaining water. the setup, Derek isinvluence so completely by hisfive sisters that delided into believing he sre fat when he actally is—which i “Then, tn the punch, 2 soceen he awakens tothe fat thathere- Afar and not jst raining water—which is woe, ther your jokes go fom goo to kad or bad to wore, they'l al- tbe moring coward the more negative. If you're uncomfortable this concept, get wed tit because i's aconsistertly useful ec that wil come in handy whenever youlre writing jokes. Writing Sccups: Examples of the Sctup-Premise smencioned earlier, the setup-fremise isthe idea from which youl eis of ters, You can best do thirby thicking of examplesol the ase and writing them as shor sentences. I important to r= her thara etup-pemise is nota setup. IFyou write ajeke wing our ise at astp, oll only get one joke. This defeas the purpose fst desigoed to generate enough eke or an ene routine ere are several setups based on the sarple sbout the post office: Setup-premise: competent at delivering mail ‘The postal workers are actually very efficient bil neverset anjoneebe' nail «They are good about forwarding mail ‘The shove sctupy ae all exsmpes reflecting the port office's com fetence. This seems simple enough, bur there’ one deceptive chal- Tenge Sincethesep-premise opinion isthe oposte fom what you ‘ctu ect bout the subject, ou'l probably fave to use your imag ‘ation to make up fictitious examples. Competent is not my opinion tout rail delivery, bu co write the above sere | hal to pute per- foal feelings aside and write some examples nthe setup-premisc PySup by Spt Sta p Comely were true. Remember, these are oly the setups, and youll get your chance to state your real epiian in the punches. Bringing the sample joke back 10 ts orginal frm, notice how 1 ed setup (a) to write the completed joke, "The postal workers are actually very eficient—with guns” hope this clarifies the various terms ofthe Joke Map. Ifyou're uncext about the meaning and use of topic, punch-premie, of tap premixc ‘g back and reead this section. You shouldbe faniiar with these ele- ‘ments and thei relationship to each other before moving on. Suaveying for Material: From Topic to Setup Inthe seon wl go thgh th ee oe Proper yc ei am orga joke Begg we the ok Map wel fom peo to. chen platen ine the ake Mine ae al, wes pc. "The wag he ote Moga ‘A. Lise Some Tories “What at sme thins coer wrong tht 'n inerwred in ling abst? B. Setct One Topic and Make an Asociton Lit: “What ae allthe ‘things | can think of that relate to my topic!” . Create Several Punch-Premie: “What negative epinioes do! haveatowone anal pects oy onic” D. For Each Pinch Premise Ferm» Seip Premie “Wht the op mop wy chown pest pra Choose a Setap-Premise and Write a List of Sta: *What ax meaeople i abbnnig Gabepeetay mech rece? Remember ‘Sena #4 (aca): Asking questions isthe comersone of tatvity, The steps cont thei own questions eo help you get started, but if ou feel the need ts ak reh- premise, set ote gustions in yeu seat for 4 or setups, by all ens Waco Wie Jokes Atos Before unfolding the Joke Map and consulting your comedy com thers one more thing to keep in mind. Anywhere within the Prospector you may find that a joke jst pops into your ing. 's wonderful. The whole point ofthis process is 0 give you a to generate material. don’t care you start writing jokesin the of the steps. Just because they din come drctl for the of the Joke Prospector doesnt mean they aren. good jokes. ‘yourulE They're probably great jokes. Accept the gift, and them all dwn. This joke writing stem is kul on the pine thac when you feed information 0 fertile comi ming, tarts ‘out jokes. Go with it Now, lt get down tothe business joke ist Sou Toncs: “WHar ARE SoMe THINGS [CONSIDER WRONG TM INTERESTED IN TALKING ABOUT?" odd litle outside influence to this Joke Map, Lasked my fiend eo-comedy clinician, Frank Mies, ro suppy the examples fr this don. As always bein by aking the steps question: ‘What are some things I consider wrong that I'm interested in about? Topics: fear 1k The Department of Movor Vehicles © my family 4 hockey Remember, these are Frank iss; you may havea completely t= i (Saurcr Ore Tone an Masa ax Assoctsmion Ls: “WHAT ARE [AML THE THanGs I CAN THINK OF THAT RELATE TO MY TOPIC?” thetopie for which you have the most emotional heat. Frank’ ot of ass with his amy, he chose: Top ms fay [Nest an association lt compiled to generate some specific ideas bout the epic m forty. To do this ask she step question QW neal the things Ica think that relate voy rope?Sep by tpt Stand-Up Comedy At List: my mother sy father any brother family vacations foenly dinners family reunions Frank’ original lst went on forever because the topic is 4 broad bat chs shortened version will do. Make your own association lit 3° long ax posible, and wile you'te working on take sue wo have ex ‘ta ayer neath. You may come up with several funny ideas, jokes, ot even an entice urine. What you write on the It can stimulate your ‘comic mind, a te next ching you know an entire funny story comes flowing out Isa part ofthe proces. Enjoy it. C. Creare Sevenat Puncat-Panasts: "WHAT NEGATIVE OMNOSS 'DO [HAVE AROUT SOME SMALLER ASPECTS OF MY TOPC?” Py cloe atention to the ercria for ereting punch premise: Re ‘member, it mast have @ negative opinion abour a smulle aspect of the topic, and icannot contain an example. These pots are very impor tanebecause thi isthe step where many sundents ge off course. Hy veer of sta few degrees youl go farther and father offcourse a5 you travel along. Check your pnch-premise several times. If you'te wen dering where ro finda salle spect othe topic, check your exocia ton ist. fill of them, ‘Ak the step qpestion: (Q: Whae nesativ opinions do Ihave about some aller aspects sy epi (my fay)? ‘A: Punch-Premises:_ Myrelationship with my mother was very bad My father wae upd ‘© My brother ruined thing <6. Our family vacations were hel Double-check the punch-premises, Dothes involvea meresreci te amectof your topic? Yes. Do they include a negative opinion’ Ye. Do they contain an exanple! Nov These ave vale punch-ps While these te all used tems frown Frank’ asiociton fi, keep Who Wie obes About that this may not always he the case. There ae many more lleeasect from which to write punch-premises securing mistake my students make ix geting 10 excited by rong 2 unch-premise& ecauxe ofthe opinion involved that ie 2 setup, This may work, but since a punch-premise cin any jokes st your sights on writing an entre routine For Eact Punci-Punase Forus 4 Serur- Passe “Wisr’s {OPPOSITE OPNION TO MT CHOSEN PUNCH-IREMSE?” form the setup-peerie foreach punch-premise This san easy js find the opposite, positive, opinion to that of yout punch, negative opinion. Ask the stp's question: ‘What's the cprosit opinion ro my chosen pench-premise? Setup-remies: 2 My relacicnship with my mother was very goo 1. My father was balan. ‘My brocher made thing better {1 Our family vacations were pleasant A Serur-Putause aND WRITE A LST oF SeTURs: “WHAT fOMEEXAMTUES CR STATEVENTS THAT EXRISS MY STUR-TREMISE” has the most issues wih hs mother, so he chase: My elaensp wth my mother was ery gal toe can start writing setups by thinking of examples and sate that expres the setup-premise. Its important 9 notice that the opinica in the sctup-premise is ken am it requtes an tion to answer this steps question. Be creative ars make up fxamplesandstaterentsasifthe setop-peemise were real Begin Panwvering the sep's questce ‘Whar are ome examples or statements that expres my setup ioe (ry relaoship with ny mucher was ter ga.) [etapa “I cll ny rnom al the time— sera ny morn flowers om every hoday— had probiems with my mom plowing up, But now that Fn li ATH about my toy oye aes me sie‘Spy Sept Stan p Comedy All these setups are consistent withthe setup-premise that mr Iaconhi with my mother was vor good. ‘When you do this ep, remember not to put too much information| Jina setup, because yeu can get lost in all the assumptions ascites vvth it Keep ia shore a you cans include al ofthe infortacion you peed, but no more. Having uccosfally nished the Joke Map, i tine to go onto the ‘neat phase ofthe Joke Prospector—the Joke Mine. Now we ean sat lgring into one of Frank's setups to find panches for them ‘The Joke Mine: From Setup to Punch Since te joke Mine vas covered in Chapter 2, we'l ust take a auick ‘our here wo demonstrate i elattnahip tothe Joke Map 1. Smusct 4 Serur, Tupy List Tae Assumirions: “Waar as 1 ASSUMING ADOUT THIS STATEMENT?” Frank chote, "Teall my mom all the tine—" (Q: What am Lassuming about this statement? ‘Asautions: a. Callan ta elephone er Ib Theyeplommnt cal © She} my natal ether (When wntinga joke of yourown, you could come up with a punch anyothere along the passage. Ifyou do, write it down.) 2. Pick a Tancer Assumpmon, ano lomeriry THe Counecron “Wear Is THE THING THAT CAUSED ME TO MAKE THlS TARGE ASSUMPTION?” Frank chowe assumption (a) as the target asumpeion, since it the most cbricus one ‘Tapeasumpein: Callens w wlephme hr He uncovere! the comet by asking this steps question: Whar the thing hit case me to make this target assumption Whar Wie Jokes Abt ‘Some RENNTERPRETATIONS FOR THE CoNNECTOR: "OTHER "Tt TAROET, WHAT OTH INTERIRETATIONS ARE THERE FOR MY this steps question, Frank came up with: ations: a. Cleans alr ou someone mate. 1 Callmeanea referee making lor decison € Callmeansnane-caling. a Renrenrnstarion, AND Conost A DN Stowy: "Re.- S10 THE SETUP, WHAT SPECIFIC SITUATION GOULD EXPLAIN M1 RE TATION three pomibilities, Frank chose: sprecion: Call ear name calig tow the interpretation, [call my mother names, supports 'punch-peemse, My relaticnshp with my mother was wry bal. Ask Hep question: alate to the sep, what speci sitation explains my ringer on? Calling ry mother bed names would explain why my relaton- vith he eb 1 form che 2nd story, gota few move deails aout what bad yes call ber ‘Wh hind of bal things do say when I call her? Jl her shes bitch a a unk an yell at her abut how she wed Weck me inthe lose an ow she’ ined my fe ‘Well, har’ certainly clate.Kindof bata, but act everyone has a loicoship with their paren. Wort 4 Puscr Thar Exrnesses THE 2v0 STORY: “NV ADDMTION SINE SETUT, WHAT INFORMATION I NEFHED TO CORBAURICATE BY pFTORY CLEARY? wiry what she joke be hou, the tank etoile 2nd yd on canetse rcs, When yt ta this you might haveStep by Step Seand-Up Comedy toauk many estions uni you find the phrasing that icles your fur ‘ny tone. Remember, brevity the key. Q Inaddtion to the setup, what information s needed to comme nlcate my 2nd ory clearly! 1 call my mother all the tme—but in polite company, | cari ie yout all her “There it is A joke written without wating around forthe muse. by simply flowing al the steps ofthe Joke Prospect from the Joke Moy through che Joke Mine. Inestence, the results f these steps are: Topic My fay Puneh-premise: My rlaonolip wih my mother was ery bad ‘Setap-premise: My elaonship with my mother wes tery sped. Diagram 12 illstrates the progression from topic to punch. Ags notice how the panch-peemise and the punch are related by the nex ‘tive opinion, and how the setup-premise and the setup chae the same opinion. Diagram 12 {cal my mom all he time— ‘Setup Reinterpetation! Call ars rane. tnd Scryer she’ eh anda rd el hs et he the wed to ck men te clse and hae sh nnd ny He but in potte cmpany | cavttell you wh Pach Joke Map Options: Plotting Another Course Joke Prospectee system ofes many options If you're not pleased your jokes, ks eary to change your drerien. Since we've already to construct a whole routine i 10 choose another stup— and write some more setups. Then, with those setups, ren the Joke Mine Back to Seep C: Create Moce Punch-PremisesI'samacing ‘many posible punch-premises each topic has Ifyou finish fing cee, write some more. Every item on yeu association lst, te used to create a punch-premise. And fom my own exper ve fund that an association list is almest lines. ack to Step B: Pick Another Topic Once you've thoc- ‘explored a parila topic, go tothe top ofthe Joke Map Pick snother one. The advantage ofthe Joke Prospector system hat opens up the possiblity of writing about almost anything. Mack to Step A: List More Topics When you've in out of Js start caching Groner things that you have ines with or ie though or feelings about. Reraembey, comedy isa playa fof dealing with painful things. The more hore a concent, eter ic sully i for comedy (Customization Joe Prospector ithe cay step-by-step system for wring jokes. foal of dhe Joke Map is to lp you with the proves of selecting Un ceder to write serps. Then, with these setups, you can dig the Joke Mine to find punches Even though this systematic, it Fe require you rofollw the nepsvecbatim, Feel fcc tater thee iv any fishion that sits you and your xy. Phe one stent, Bll Falko, whe’s cutie the whe system, {eae his punch prctis, hen jump thw er ef the Joke Mine‘Sep Sup Stand Up Comey and writes punches After that, he goes back tothe Joke Map, no the setup-premise, and writes serps for his punches. This wotks for ‘im, Do what works for you, [Now ite to practice writing jokes wing the Joke Prospector Th: following form includes the steps ofthe Joke Map which will guide yoo in writing setups. To write punches for your setups, youll need to refer 1 the Joke Mine form (page 32). Use a sepamte sect of papers yo ‘an ftely explore all options. And as you do remember your options Joke wriingisa journey. nota destination, What Write Jokes About Practicing the Joke Prospector ‘The Joke Map Some Topics (single subjct—omething wrong—no option): 11One Topic and Make an Association List: “What areal the I can think of chat elate tomy topic?” fe Several Punch-premises (smaller aspct—negativ opinion — ): negative opinions do I have about some smaller aspects of er Hoch Punch-premse Form a Seup-premise (ppaste opinion) the cpposite pinion to my chosen punch- premise?” Premives fs Secup-premie and Write « List of Serups: “What are examples or tates that expeess ry seuup-premse™ Mine (sce page 32)From Funny to Funnier Improving and Polishing Your Gems A famous writer once sid, “Thete no writing, only rewriting” That tay be extreme, but the point welltaken. Once you havea fit Arf there are many things you can do to improve it Sometimes you hic the nll on the head with you isc she. But mere often than net, ‘hen youge about polishing your jokes you'll cover there are many possible versions depending on which technique you employ. In this chapter yu'l learn some basic guidelines for sharpening your jokes as well as a few techniques for expanding them. These methods come from my ovn experience as a working comic and from. the tried-and-true writing techniques of suecesfel comedians I've worked with over the years. But remember, these are not laws rules-—theyire guidelines In the end, what works for you is what ‘cours, so use these helpful Klas as you se ft. (One word of advice: Don't worry about polishing and improving your material wile you'e coming up with it. Creating and editing re two very different and marually exclusive functions. When you're writing new jokes, write quelly and move on. Late, come back to polish the rough gems you've dug up. Otherwise, youll kill your mo ‘mentum and leaves fotof cenaale unexplored. Alea, oul often fie ‘that when you come back ta joke a day or soles, you have afr ‘ewpective and new ideas. So writ fist, improve lates. Economy [As Shinar sid “Brevity levity" Nothing ils a good joke sextet toa 1 wih an welche of areooany words and infrmaticn, | lboia Mtle abo ref eure to wnt «par thi subject when you ron Fy Fane ‘Aseudent of mine, Tey R. Jackson, brought avery funny bu over joke to clas. Ir went like this 1 jug wort through along and messy separation swhich ended ina © didece fom my wile. So afterall that, I went on a vacation 0 "Denmark because | was having asex change. Thesex change was from not very ofen to nothing st all, ‘Thiscentl ea ofthis joke goa butt inchdesa lt of ndormaton the 2a story tha the aschence doesn need w know inorder to get puch. Ina ic becomes confsng when they have tof through all ‘wanecesary details to ieniy which ascmprion ic being shattered © Asagenend re, the asdence shoul respnd to your okey not hak them. This doesn't mean you shoulda’ write inteligent jokes. t hae joke, even fie «nove den, should beso understandable the audience doesnt have to figure eur what youre aking about. Commi has ite onmn conservation of enery lan: Err sbentby th a inking ecg then ews fom aghing- That’ why is important give them no more information to proces than absolutely necesary. "Your setup should inci ast enough informacion ro establish your tion, and even that shoald he as concie as possible. T poied allthis ut to Terry ann advised hi to reread the section “nis class workbook n improving material. The following week, he trek this version of hijo: ‘Alter my dvoe, had 2 cx change very seldom ont tall. “That's an excellently constructed joke. Neither more or les it needed. egos» bger laugh han the orginal verte, yet reguies a smaller tine investment forthe pay. The les time it takes to get a aug, the more lags por mina, LFMs, you pt. Economy isan im porta rechniquefor achieving high LPM End the Punch with the Reveal Within every punch th sents the re !+a pivotal word, uae, or action t which in rte tages eeSep by St Sua Up Comey tioa with che intest of making the audience laugh From the audi- tence’ penpective, this pivotal werd phrase, or action is hen wnt the punch exposes it, which is why [call this recnigue the reveal: “Toefietively construct joke, ake sure your reveal appears at the very end of the punch. A propety placed reveal ia very important fetor, Hecause it determines when the auence laughs. Ifthe reveal {spotioned to early in your punch, the audience wll begin to laush, ‘you will continue to talk, and they will sop laughing to hear what you have rosa “ue night a the Comedy Sere in Hollywood I watched a comic train an audience to stop laughing. In the beglaning the audience Thughed at bis jokes, bur since hi reveals wer too erly in his punch the woul yell over the Inher t0 nok is joke, OF coune the a ‘ence quicly eamed toe quit. This not what you want to teach your autience. After the tenth eke, the adience had stopped laugh ing, bue were politely sling and sll enjoying his show. However, since he waste getting laughs he became agtated and began blaming {hem for bing « bad aadience, Now they stopped smiling. This was partly the result ofthe comic nocundersanding che eclanique of ple Ingres ah nd pe "There ae wo baste mistakes comics tend to ake in this area Unnecessary Words Are Said ot Actions Are Done “Alter the Reveal “Talking past the reveal is one of the most como ani eitating cecrs. Ie wally aces ecause the comic inserts mindless prattle beyond che point where dhe joke gets 4 laugh. For example, take this joke writen by a gay stant, Robert A. Sith ‘Do you know why gays are such goad dressers You ty sperding twenty year inthe Cott and see what haprens 10 you “And sce what hoppers o 04 has nothing todo with te joke and shoul be eliminate [es hue Robert comely phrased the joke ‘ending with the even ‘bo you avn why gays st wh joe deste YoU ry spending a a rom Fury Power Class isthe revel, so anything beyond thar woul only dee the Ss powsr. The Reveal Gets Mixed Up with Other Important Information reveal; otherwise may gec mined WP ‘peed romake the joke work. Heres | thoy have this new Fice and Theft surance. But theuxe robbed while i's burning do they Day. ‘Can yousce how to make this joke Beer ers with do they Pos. ch tam portant pias, but act as important as the reveal, sche its beming Here's a verson with more fective word: “Thay have this new Fre and Theft Insurance. But they ony pay your house sobbed while buming | After comparing these to versions, you can se that placing the Spevel a the end of the punch makes for « more porent joke. OF tov wontealwaysbe able to getthe reveal into a single word or Suck phroc atthe very cod of ajole, ether becae f the resting becouse you have to get certain information Portuler way. Do yout best to getitasmear to theend ofthe funch posible whe sil allowing for normal speech. Ns thae you knoe sbour this technique, watch the standup com> sch shows on TV and count how many tines even profesional comiy tiuck up their own jokes with an improperly laced reveal. Then revel reve Tmouledge that you know hew roe your punches correct Use Words or Phrases with Hard Consonants “The hard consonant sounds, pecially K sounds, which ince hard Cue ads to leser extent T, hard G, Dy and By rend 9 make eee sand fuenier Using words with these han consonanes stead roe a joke, Bryronyas wi ster sound ells hel Trea penes who've been i the Busines lg encugh wl rll ou thar it happens to be teSep by Sep to Ssard-p Comedy "Words with Kin them ae funny."Neil Simon “Am enris funny, an omnge is not"—Fred Allen For instance, in this verion of joke by Margaret Sith, [ve 1e- placed coupe of hard-consonant words with softer ones: "hae singles bars. Guys come up to me and say, Hey, sweetie, ‘an buy youa denk" sy, ‘No, bit take the thine dollar” Now check our the original version with the and consonant won hat Margaret coc. Read it out loud so you can realy bear the dfecenc. 1 hate singles bars. Guys come up 10 me and say, ‘Mey, cupcake, can buy you a drink| say, "No, but Il take the three bucks? This version of the joke sounds fonniet. The words cupcake ancl buck just have more punch than svete and dolla ‘Make i a abit co seach for word with hard consonants and test this cut fer youn, Use Rhythms of Three ‘This erick is pased arcurdl arnong comics as some eystical ral for ‘making things funny, but ask them why so many jokes inca a series ofthe and they an tell you. You, however, do now why A pattern is simple way to get peo" lero make an assumption becuse they assume the pattem wil Con- tinge. And what is the smallest number of eats needed to set op pattem? You've got it—two. Two beats setup the pattern and thew sumption, and the third beat breaks the pacter, shattering the a:- sumption, Clase joke structure Always be on the lockout fra series of tres, because Ii cue— aperiectcpportuniry costick in ajoke. Here are fewexamples: ‘They have these dresses in small, medium, ae tent Tm very sensitive. Whoa wee a beautiful woman Iwate ery te poety.jampon he The FDA seis allowable evel of rat feces in breast cereals Maybe they should ch and Poop, Fram Fay Fair Stick to Common Knowledge ‘dprt understand what youre talking about, ey won lah. a certain word o reference iserucal to the understanding of 2 04 must consder whether i’sfanilia wo your audience. Some: oul need tous @ more familiar alternative. For example, ake this joke in which Woody Allen rls about his He opened a discotheque with his colleagues, Toples rabbit. Ne skulls. ‘Woony Allen knows thatthe litle round caps Jewish men wear are yrrulkes, but since bei lio aware chat many people in his. ‘won't know that word, he uses dae term slap, which i inthe common realm of knowledge an has no convenient al- ive, explin the reference or state the informaten in the setup. once in a while youll ave t drop a joke akogether becasse ning the reference kil the comedy ox gives aay the punch. For le, wher I wasn college, this ine was going around: “took this great, and | saw Ged “At the time it wie very hipto tke philosophy cis. so it was com- n knowledge around campus that the philosopher Friedrich ltache was eenowned for having sid, "God is dead.” [used thier on to form thi comeback Ii ‘ook same even beter (SD, an ca Nietache [At parties around the schoo dis jake got big laaghs. But when T snared performing and delivered this vane jcke atthe Comedy Store Jn Hollywood, not only did the audience nc laugh, they stared at me With the expresionofthe RCA Victordog. And no matter how I tied Aoexplan who Nietche was the joke never wotke ing doesnt work, they den have the knowledge and ex they wen’ et the joke, and youll find yourself saying," guess you Tua tbe thee0 EE Quote Whenever Possible {Ina sense, this falls under one of che puimity wile (or all good fiction \wting—shovy, doa’ tell For our purposes, means when writing out «joe that involves a scene or abit of dialogue, quote yourself aswell asany charac. This et the stage for you 10 play yourself and ke came the characiet i the scene. ‘Here's an example written by a student, Davy-O. He bess by lighting «cgurece. (My siliiond asked me, “How do you know when it's time to smoker”! sale, ‘Wel, hat would be whenever yeu start aking.” [Novice the attributions asked and sal came befére the quote. This {isthe way it should be done. Putting the attribution verb in the mi- de of the quote would interupe the flow and confse che audience about who' speaking. (Quoting youre and the characters i your jokes brings the scene taco the present, greatly add o che realty ofthe performance with Personal interactions, and provides opportunities to find more jokes. In General, Avoid Puns Puns ae an old, somewhat outdated syle of comedy In vaudeville they were an accepted form of humor: Mf you read the old routines, you'l often find jokes like this one: | goosed a ghost ard gota handel of sheet Admittedly, purs can be fun, especially realy bad ones ike this: ‘The boarding house blew up, and the roomers were fying Bae while they mht be wefl for annoying your friend, puns in professional comedy almost iewariably produce goars. That’ proba bly because a good joke, lke a good magic trick, only effective ifthe aulience doesnt see how its done. No form of joke displays its inner workings more overtly than a pun. To make mater worse, doing a pun always seems to be saying, “Hey, look how clever 1am with words.” Idont know akoat you, but my usual reaction to that at- 56 ——————aoo--——s ‘san tramediate and passionate deve totum away rom the Mer ees ess rs prety dont make very ws fk, thes eesonal tens ei the an has genainey lever tring reat. Like ts doefor tances“ le ke an tow Fri lies ie fein Tc mean nething, ot enages your Brn any Someries thas enous. he pun has evo phrases rested by something ore easing Fen anesthe aes sme Kind of comment Foe doen vem forte linn pts Some of oe eters Haase ink town so long, they date al the way back ro {Wahingon BC? Th pun umdencresa pin and woth a hoc tea, See Sn fecanse you wat get agoan Why? Youhave 2 Vee tdyoeacomebach For ance, San Dee, [watched pesccteprwe npn neatly provoke oun eto te cull end with this pur dove oak, yu ha ny ust you would be we ie spe ‘The Ingh he got with the comeback made it worth gong though ‘groan. But only ws this technique once pe show. vc had students oppose my view f puns, saying, “Wall, better get. goan than no tesponse a al.” 1s upto you ofcourse, but be shout your goals, Ifyou want to get groan, then by all means pun op I yurte aiming for ative LEM average show, though, sive for oad unl you achieve it. Don't eop out fora meaty groan. Male Your Characters Specific and Get Personal Making the characcer in our jes eal and specific greatly enhances the jokes effecuvenes. Lines sich as “Thete two ges went into a for have been out ofstyle for yeas. The audence wants to know who thos two pups ae. Giving them thot infomation creates what Fiction writen ell eerismiide, che quality of « story eeming moce like and believable because of litle aed deta a