On Being Specific for Writing the Joke
And now for part two of being specific. . .after your research where you’ve now got specific data, you need to actually write a joke that is specific. Take a look at the words you’re using and see if you can get very, very specific. Don’t use a rounded number like 300 if you can use something more specific like 307. . .if you’re talking about someone’s weight for example, 307 is just funnier than 300. Or saying that someone stayed in a “Swanky hotel” isn’t funny, but staying in a “Swanky Super 8” is funny because, well, Super 8’s aren’t known for their swankiness!
But of course here’s where there’s a fine line. Sometimes you can use too many adjectives that get in the way of the joke. . .you don’t want people to have to think about too many things, and get caught up on some descriptive words, so that they miss the punch line. If you have to use a lot of adjectives, then maybe break the joke up into three lines, with the 3rd being the punch line.
Take a quick look at the nouns you’re using and see if you can put something descriptive in front of them that makes the subject more specific. You also need to ask yourself does it matter how specific it is. A lot of comics joke about their cars breaking down, and they name a specific model that a lot of people (at least in the past) considered bad. This also gets people on your side (because they’ve owned one too) and it creates a picture of the specific car in their heads. But if you’re talking about your (model) car breaking down, it may or may not matter what color the car is. . .that’s your call depending on your joke.
Ok, enough on being specific . . .Thanks for reading. . .specifically thanks for reading my blog!
Jan
On Being Specific When Gathering Joke Material
Show for the Luci - Desi Museum in her hometown
During a client call last month in which I was interviewing them to gather information so I could customized jokes for their group – I had a hard time getting them to be specific. When I asked about their challenges they gave me stress and mergers. . .it was hard to pin them down to exactly, specifically what is causing the stress and how are the mergers impacting them. We finally figured it out, but they really just wanted me to write jokes on general subjects. . .but the thing with joke writing is that you have to get specific with your information AND with the joke, in order to make it funny.
If I tell you to write a joke about “dogs” or one about “Collies” what do you think is easier? COLLIES! Because that gives us some things we can joke about, like Lassie and Timmie, and lots of fur and long dog noses, etc. . .the subject of dogs doesn’t help much.
I hate the word “drill down” because it got over used a few years ago, but really, you need to DRILL DOWN and find out what the specific topic really is. The hardest writing I ever did was for greeting cards because they wanted specific-yet-general jokes. For example, they wanted a Mother’s Day card that appealed to mother’s of all ages with kids of all ages – yeah, good luck! I did it, but it took a huge amount of effort to find something that the mom of a toddler and the mom of a teen can both relate to. The jokes weren’t belly-laugh jokes, and you’ll notice that few greeting cards these days are belly-laughs. . .they are “ha ha, that was cute” type things.
So the next time you’re having trouble coming up with some lines, take a check to see if you’re topic is too broad, then, (ugh) DRILL DOWN!!!
Jan
(In the picture above, I did my first show ever on a “floating stage” at Bemus Point in Jamestown, NY. . .it was for the Lucille Ball/Desi Arnaz museum in the town she was born in)
10 ways to get started with a joke – part 2
Okay, now part two of kicking off with a joke. As I mentioned, getting into the joke is sometimes the hardest part, so use one of these tactics to set yourself up right.
1. Address what they see. If you’ve got some outstanding feature/hairdo/etc. . .mention it off the bat. I’ve said you can even make something up (like a tattoo on your shoulder) or something if that leads you to your joke.
2. Make a comment about what just happened before you. I’ve mentioned this before as well, and I can’t say it enough. . .pay attention to what’s happening prior to you going on stage. You’ll have some great opportunities for humor at the last minute. DON’T count on it, but just keep your eyes and ears open, and don’t be afraid to make an offhanded comment – especially if it leads you into your first joke!
3. Have something funny in your intro that you can play off of. Set yourself up easy by commenting on your introduction. Mine mentions that I just bought a motor scooter, and sometimes if I want to joke about my scooter, I’ve got the perfect set-up – “john just mentioned that I bought a motor scooter. . .I did. . because that’s what happens when you wreck it on the test drive.”
4. Do something physical. A comedian friend of mine starts off with herself laughing . . .she walks on stage laughing and applauding. . .which leads her to her first joke about her mother’s laughter. So think of something physical. If I were to lead off with a dieting joke, I might go up and pat my belly. Non-verbal works as well or better than verbal cues.
5. Mention how you’re feeling. I start off many times with. . .”I’m having a great week because I just became an aunt again!” Presto, I’m into my kids material without anyone realizing that I wanted to talk about kids.
Bonus – these are all great ways to kick off with a joke. The key is DECIDE WHICH ONE YOU’LL DO FIRST. The times I get myself in trouble are the times that I don’t know how I’m going to kick off the show. I may be waiting for a funny line or I’m just undecided. Make a decision and run with it!
Bonus bonus – make it conversational. . .the more you’re just talking to a friend, as opposed to delivering a joke, then you have a better chance of the joke sneaking up which will make it funny.
And most of all. . have fun! Kicking off with a joke should make you excited, not worried!
Jan
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