Comedy Questions From Beginners For Experienced Comics

[Gene George]

If you're constructing Dick jokes because those get yuks you might be a comic but you're not an ARTIST. If those dick jokes are who you are as an individual well then I guess it's your ART?

This comes from a household that has an MFA from RISD in photography living in it, a melding of art and craft if ever there was one.

I know the difference between just getting an EZ laugh and telling something that is important to me on stage or something that reflects who I am as a person. There's a crafty aspect to getting the words right to make an impact and the art part is that it's funny to me or I hate it and have to make the rage into a joke. Talking about the "craft" doesn't bother me, and I learn from my betters and peers all the time. Watching the people I respect make notes constantly about what amuses them in the moment has made me more aware of the need to get those fleeting thoughts down, that "craft" skill informs my stage "art".

I don't care if you like me, that's for the afters part when I'm drinking and goofing around.

Stand-up is one of the few experiences in life that is unique and ephemeral, like sex or a good meal it's a combo of figuring out what you like, how you like it and getting comfortable with the mix and then doing it whenever you can.

What I'm trying to say is I fuck my food.

[pg13]

I read a lot of questions on here as attempts to self-vaccinate themselves against failure...as if getting a very basic question answered could help you "think your way past" some of the growing pains that you need to go through in order to become the performer you're going to be.

New comedians need to tell Sybok that they NEED their pain.

I don't mind answering these questions because it's something I do. I teach stand-up comedy (and was just featured on a Seattle tv show for having done so.) I can teach craft--I can help hone skills, I can help others master certain techniques, I can even point people in directions where they may find inspiration...but the artistry in that craft has to come from each individual.

And trust me, I celebrate those who pursue their craft artistically. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here on AST. I think my answers in these various "Stage Time" threads reflect that.

I also struggle with my own pursuit of artistry within my craft. I freely admit to being very traditional in my own approach--and there are times where I worry that I'm somehow not "alt" enough to consider myself "alt-comedy". But wouldn't trying to be more "alt"--and not being honest with my own process--be the bigger poseur move?

When I'm at my best...I'm using my experiences, my influences, my inspirations, my craftsmanship...and whatever else is available to me...to express the things I want to express and share them in a way with an audience that I hope makes them react to what makes me think is funny about what I'm talking about and have them agree with their laughter.

That process is pure. That process is honest. I recognize that process in the work of my most respected peers and most admired heroes. And that's what I use as Bactine for the cuts and scrapes of my self-doubt.

I've said this before: The point isn't to find a new way to cook an egg, as if that's the desired end in itself. The point is to offer up a tasty meal.

And if you offer up a tasty meal that ONLY YOU can offer...then there's the personal artistry within the craft.

pg--Scammy, I'd choose Joey Ramone over Joe Satriani, too...but Satriani isn't the best example of a "craftsman". He's a virtuoso. Too often, I think he values chops and licks over soul and connection. Virtuosity isn't a sin; I've always thought that Eddie Van Halen was a virtuoso who managed to connect better than most. Oh, and I'm a fan of the band Rush...but my favorite Rush song is "Limelight". That probably defines me better than my Myers-Briggs.--seattle

PS--I've had a great time each time I've played at ACME. Each time, I saw at least a couple performers who I thought really have something special. That's the best I ever hope for from ANY comedy show, anywhere.

[Brian J.]

So obviously I'm writing alot, it's so far my favorite thing about comedy, writing new material. But one thing I haven't really done is gone back and tweak my "old" stuff, or add tags etc..

I started doing this several months ago and I recommend it.
Anytime you are having trouble thinking up new ideas or topics, go back and work on your old stuff. I have found it very helpful. A lot of times you're better off working on a solid joke than writing a joke from scratch. Also it'll up your laughs.

For example, I recently had a set where I had ten jokes ready to go a week before the gig. Within that week I added about 2 tag lines to every joke. This gave me the opportunity to get thirty laughs within five minutes which would be much better than usual for me. Unfortunately it didn't work out that way, but imagine if it did? But if I take out the jokes and tags that didn't work and replace them with new ones, then I can get closer to having a laugh packed set. Anyway, tweak your old stuff. Do it.

[scamboogah]

take out the jokes and tags that didn't work and replace them with new ones

This is great advice.

[ASR]

For the record, I only ever ask for criticism on things I already have done, whether it be a video of my stand-up, a comic I drew, a video I made, or a script I've written.

I'm a huge believer in "figure-it-out-on-your-own" and I think that rings the truest in the world of stand-up comedy. It's not really the sort of thing where you ask questions. The whole world of it... it's just, you go up, and get instant gratification, instant reactions - you learn right then and there. No words or advice or instructions could get the same thing across.

I definitely think comedy is an art form. I don't see how you can't consider it that.

[Gene George]

I read a lot of questions on here as attempts to self-vaccinate themselves against failure.

That is the most cogent and profound thing I've read in a while. Fear of failure kept me off the stage for a long, long time. Acknowledging that only doing (and failing) is worth a damn is liberating. Everything else is window dressing.

[TimBuktu]

I take back everything I've ever said.*






*except tits.

[John Santana]

Do you think that the majority of talented/successful stand up comics are funny and making jokes most of the time when they are not on stage - like when they are standing in line at the grocery store, at family gatherings, while shopping etc., ?

[scamboogah]

No.

[scamboogah]

Next question.

[bridgetosolace]

What are the rules on commenting on other people's sets during yours?

[Alex Mac]

I would say that it varies based upon how well you know the person. Or at least, I get really uncomfortable when I see new people at certain venues poke fun at the regulars as if they have always been around.

However, I think that is is mostly dependent on what you are saying. Commenting on another person's set can be a tricky thing since comedians live for the validation of their peers (to some extent or another, despite any protest to the contrary). The type of comment makes the difference, obviously. Not that I think anyone sets out to put someone down but I've had situations where I've bombed and the headliner poked some fun at me and it made me feel even lousier. Not intended, I'm sure but still.

Since I'm naturally nervous, I feel it is best to comment on things that happened like if someone had trouble with the mic stand. Small things, since I find that unless you know the person well, it is hard to figure out what would upset them or not.

But then again...maybe sometimes funny is just funny. I don't know. I tend to over think when it comes to interacting with other comedians since sometimes a good relationship marks the difference between your next booking and nothing at all.

[John Santana]

I attended a comedy show (got to sit back and relax for a change) on Thursday night with all local comedians. There were 4 comics and the MC. When the last comic was about to take the stage the MC announced him as "The Headliner". My immediate thought was "what a hard statement to live up to". A couple of the previous comics were really good. Doesn't that set the expectation too high? I would hate a lofty introduction - there's enough pressure to perform as it is.

[drieux]

Sometimes at the open mic I host, I jokingly call the last comic of the night the headliner. I've also heard this done in other shows where comics all have almost the exact same amount of time, but the host will say it about the person going last as a bit of an in-joke.

In most cases like that, I think it's just meant as a friendly gag. No big deal.

[ASR]

Ugh, we had this awful host at a crappy bar who would do that all the time and it really bothered us. Though he was just a shitty person overall, so maybe that was the problem.

[John Santana]

Ugh, we had this awful host at a crappy bar who would do that all the time and it really bothered us. Though he was just a shitty person overall, so maybe that was the problem.

Now that I think about it, I believe I once read that it's a good idea to tell the MC how you would like to be introduced if you're a headliner, middle performer etc.

[Alex Mac]

For the first thing though, if the guy was a headliner, he should be intoduced as such even if the guys before him were killing. To not introduce him as such would be a horrible oversight on the emcee's part.

[Cameron]

I wasn't exactly sure where to talk about this, so I'll just bring it up here.

I was asked to do comedy for part of Norman OK's "Dump the Pump Day," which is basically just an event to help promote public transportation. They are putting various kinds of entertainers on random public buses, I'm going to be doing stand up. I'm sure a few people might be aware of what's going on, but I imagine the majority of the people I'll be performing for will simply be making their commute.

I imagine I'll be doing A LOT of crowd work, as I'm not exactly sure how doing my normal act will go over in this situation, plus I'm assuming I'll have to be extremely clean because there will probably be kids aboard, which rules out a good chunk of my act anyway. It's definitely going to be interesting.

Anybody ever done anything similar to this or have any advice?

[MJEH]

I was asked to do comedy for part of Norman OK's "Dump the Pump Day," which is basically just an event to help promote public transportation. They are putting various kinds of entertainers on random public buses...I imagine I'll be doing A LOT of crowd work...
Anybody ever done anything similar to this or have any advice?

This is a great opportunity to interact with people and build a valuable skill!

Questions/topics to initiate conversation:

"Are you aware today is 'Dump the Pump Day'?" (not everyone owns a car)
"How do you usually get around?" (public transportation jokes)
"Going to work? What do you do?" (jokes about their occupation)
"Where are you headed today?" (jokes about their destination)

Sounds like it could be good times. You have to think on your feet.
Mazel to you!

[CaptainBreakfast]

Anybody ever done anything similar to this or have any advice?

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...deoid=47394861

^^^^^^^^^^^^(watch video)^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I did this for the second time last night. My only advice: Don't get tied to your act. Don't even get tied to doing stand-up on the bus. Just have fun and hope that people will laugh.

Also, yes, crowd interaction is a plus and it's a quick and great way to learn how to do it. Personally, I would advise watching all youtube tapes of Zach Galifianakis doing crowd work. He's great at it, and he's able to do so much, including doing it in such a way to ensure that whoever he's talking to doesn't get more than two words in at a time.

Oh yeah, and have fun.

(edit: don't get drunk and do it.)