Getting a Laugh: How to Make Something Funny

Summary

This video explores the intricate process of comedy writing, from generating original ideas to delivering them effectively. It covers the importance of breaking audience expectations through setup and punchline, and highlights the need for confidence and cadence in delivery. Examples from famous comedians like Louis CK and Norm Macdonald demonstrate how timing and specificity elevate humor. The script also emphasizes the need for practice and revision, showing that comedy is about getting better, not giving up. Ultimately, it demonstrates that in comedy, failure is immediately apparent—either people laugh or they don't.

Takeaways

• 😀 Comedy is a broad field that comes in many forms, including stand-up, talk shows, films, and inside jokes, but creating something funny yourself is incredibly difficult.
• 😀 The process of making something funny involves starting with a small, often simple idea and building it into a full joke by continually refining and expanding it.
• 😀 Writing comedy is about moving from nothing to something funny, starting with a simple setup and punchline that breaks the audience's expectations.
• 😀 The audience's expectations are key to comedy, and breaking them in an interesting way is crucial to creating a good joke.
• 😀 Delivery is just as important as content when it comes to comedy. A joke can fall flat if not delivered with confidence and precision.
• 😀 Always commit to the joke during delivery—mumbling or hesitating will make the audience lose interest.
• 😀 Specificity is a powerful tool in comedy. The more specific the language, the funnier the joke tends to be, and it enhances the punchline.
• 😀 Cadence and timing are critical in delivering a joke well. Achieving a balance between written structure and spoken fluency is a skill.
• 😀 No subject is off-limits in comedy, as long as the joke is funnier than it is offensive. The goal is to make people laugh, not make them uncomfortable.
• 😀 Comedy is a pursuit that requires constant improvement. Even if a joke isn't perfect initially, it can evolve through practice, specificity, and delivery to become something much better.

Q & A

What is the essence of comedy, according to the script?

Comedy is anything that makes you laugh and can come in many forms and genres, such as stand-up, talk shows, films, or inside jokes with friends.

Why is it difficult to create something funny by yourself?

Creating something funny is challenging because ideas often feel unoriginal, sentences lack interest, and the humor doesn't translate well when spoken out loud.

What is the first goal of comedy writing as described in the script?

The first goal of comedy writing is to go from nothing to something funny, starting with the simplest form of a joke—usually a setup and a punchline.

How does one break audience expectations in a joke, according to the script?

To break the audience's expectations, the punchline should provide a surprising twist, while still fulfilling the premise established in the setup.

What role does delivery play in comedy, as emphasized in the script?

Delivery is crucial in comedy because, regardless of how well a joke is written, it must be delivered effectively. A joke can fall flat if the delivery is poor or lacks confidence.

How can a comedian lose the audience's attention during a joke?

A comedian can lose the audience's attention if they start mumbling or appear uncertain, which can make the audience disengage from the joke.

What is one key takeaway about commitment in comedy?

Comedians must always commit fully to the joke. If they deliver a joke hesitantly or seem unsure, the audience will sense it and may lose interest.

How can specificity improve a joke?

Specificity in a joke adds depth and humor by making the setup and punchline more relatable and detailed, which helps to make the joke hit harder.

What is one important rule when crafting jokes, as stated in the script?

No subject is off-limits as long as the joke is funnier than it is offensive. The joke should not cross boundaries that would detract from its humor.

How does cadence contribute to the effectiveness of a joke?

Cadence, or the rhythm and flow of how words are spoken, is essential in comedy. It affects how the joke lands and ensures the punchline is delivered with the right timing and impact.