Session #17

17.12 – How to Write Comedy Like Brian Kiley

Course Objectives

Write conversational setups that sound completely truthful while naturally encouraging the audience to make assumptions.
Create stronger punchlines by using assumption reversal, misdirection, paraprosdokian, and expectation violation instead of relying on shock or exaggeration.
Recognize Brian Kiley's "Truth → Assumption → Reversal" structure and apply it to your own original material.
Use association jumping and the Listing Technique to uncover surprising endings that audiences never see coming while keeping the setup grounded in reality.
Jerry Corley Image (400x411px)

Instructor:
Jerry Corley

Lesson information

🎭 17.12 - How to Write Comedy Like Brian Kiley

Brian Kiley is one of comedy's greatest joke craftsmen. His jokes appear effortless because they're built on something deeper than clever punchlines—they're built on assumptions. Rather than tricking the audience with outrageous premises, Kiley tells the truth, lets the audience naturally predict where the joke is going, then reveals a completely different interpretation.

In this course you'll learn how to write jokes that sound like ordinary conversation while secretly steering the audience into making the wrong assumption. You'll discover why Kiley's clean, economical style consistently generates laughs through misdirection, expectation violation, and strategic association jumps. You'll also learn how his writing process closely parallels the Listing Technique by identifying multiple association paths before selecting the one that produces the greatest surprise.

If you like this course, DON'T MISS THIS ONE...

how to write like george carlin lesson cover - 1200x768

How to Write Like George Carlin

Learn how George Carlin turned outrage, hypocrisy, and brutal honesty into unforgettable comedy. This course breaks down the tools behind his sharp observations, layered logic, and fearless point of view and 'unassailable truth' so you can write smarter, deeper, harder-hitting material.

Get Access Now

Special offer only $49

Check out all the  A La Carte Courses available for you to stream anytime.

© Comedy Clinic