by jmcinnis | Jan 12, 2011 | B. Research Techniques
When writing a joke, what you’re really trying to do . . . is to pull out the ironies – the contradictions – in the situation. Ironies are all around us, yet most people don’t pay attention to them. So make a list of the environment and anything else you know...
by jmcinnis | Oct 19, 2010 | B. Research Techniques
Have you ever watched a news show in which they’re interviewing a witness or maybe someone who was just in a disaster? The interviewer says a few words and then waits. The interviewee will then say a word or two, and the interviewer continues to wait. EVENTUALLY the...
by jmcinnis | Sep 30, 2010 | A. Humor Writing, B. Research Techniques, D. Appropriate Humor, Funny Jokes, Workplace Humor
Sometimes the humor is not in researching the subject thoroughly, but rather in stepping back and looking at the big picture – their name. Companies name themselves and their products all sorts of whacky things, for all sorts of whacky reasons. Watch any commercial,...
by jmcinnis | Sep 20, 2010 | A. Humor Writing, B. Research Techniques, D. Appropriate Humor, Funny Jokes
One fun, easy way to make a mundane noun (that’s person, place or thing) funny is to give that item a human trait. For example, this week I’m doing a show for a group in Austin, TX, and one of the unique things I was told was that Austin has millions of BATS. Yes,...
by jmcinnis | Sep 3, 2010 | A. Humor Writing, B. Research Techniques, D. Appropriate Humor, Funny Jokes
When you’re coming up with jokes, one quick way is to come up with a premise, and then prove it. For example, I have a joke about cats being better than kids, because. . . “. .cats clean themselves, they don’t talk back, and they will survive a drop from the second...
by jmcinnis | Aug 27, 2010 | A. Humor Writing, B. Research Techniques, D. Appropriate Humor, Funny Jokes, G. Topical Jokes, Workplace Humor
Sure there’s timing of your jokes when you say ‘em, but the time I’m talking about is a little different. Yesterday I was at the new Aria hotel in Las Vegas. . .very cool, very high tech! When I walked into the room, music from the TV kicked on, the room lights lit...
