One of the most common questions I get as a stand up comedian, writer and now coach is: What is the key to comedy?
And although there are too many variables for me to even suggest that I have all the answers when it comes to comedy, I can give you the key. That’s right I can give you the key to comedy.
The key is SURPRISE.
If we break comedy down; I mean, really break comedy down into parts, then we can start to design solutions. So let’s do that briefly in this blog post.
I guess we can all agree that for comedy to be comedy, we need to get the audience to laugh, right? So that’s our problem. We need to make people laugh.
So let’s find a solution…
Somebody has to be laughing in order for someone to say that something is comedic or humorous. Now that we know that, we need to know what causes people to laugh.
According to several psychologists, the number one element that triggers human laughter is surprise.
Create surprise and do it well and the audience almost has no choice but to laugh.
Imagine that power as a comedian; to put the audience in the position where they have no choice but to laugh!
Now that we have that psychological element in place we are part of the way through solving our problem. The next question is how to we pull that trigger?
We create surprise in our writing or our dialogue, conversation, speech or script.
There are several ways to create surprise in comedy. I’m going to share with you the simplest and one of the most commonly used strategies to create surprise:
- Double Entendre
Surprise also occurs when something happens that is unexpected, right? So do or say something unexpected and you have an increased possibility of creating a laugh.
Here’s another example of using surprise:
When I was in the grocery store, the check out girl said to me, “Did you find everything you were looking for?” The word “everything” really stood out for me. What did she mean when she said “everything?” Her intended meaning was probably did I find everything I was shopping for.
What is my comedic meaning of everything? The meaning of life, a soul-mate, eternal love, etc.
I went with that interpretation. So, when she asked “Did you find everything you were looking for?” I said, “Well I found the wine and the candles, but I couldn’t find a soul-mate. You had Mahi-Mahi, but I’m not into twins.”
That got big laugh with her.
Word play makes up the majority of all comedy out there. But the comedian has to be careful not to overuse it. It’s easy to get “punny” if you use it incorrectly. And you’ll wind up getting groans.
Then that key to comedy will just wind up breaking off in the lock.
16 replies to "The Key To Comedy"
I can’t hear this often enough! This should always be front and center a comic’s mind when creating new material. An excellent reminder.
Great article as usual JC, always nice to get your/the “nuts and bolts” of this comedy art-science, a solid review of the foundation of funny, and a good laugh at the same time… thanks for sharing…
I find it kool and understand the cinsept but for someone who wants to get in the comedian industry what can they do some one who is unable to prudose funds in lage or even little sums what can u sujest they do? But for now I think I understand the consept. I would love to hare from u soon but not too soon I might get carried away.
Lol! It’s suggest and concept!
Great Post Jerry!
My waterbed sprung a leak, all night long I dreamed about drowning. I was.
The information Jerry is writing about is in his Ebook, if you don’t have the book yet I would encourage you to get it. I am a slight of hand Magician that use alot of Comedy, and I have some Comedy Club experience. My goal is to do more Comedy Clubs with some of the Magic and Jerrys ebook is really helping me get there. Glad I bought the ebook!
Gil Martinez aka Mickey Romo.
Las Vegas, NV.
Thank you for this reminder.The article is simple and perfect.
Hey @[502122330:2048:Steve Bruner] awesome to hear from you. You are always inspiring. Non-stop comedy. What could be better?
Thanks for the comment @[537231438:2048:Linda Lou]! It was great seeing you at the WSOC. Eager to keep up with your progress as a speaker, writer and performer. Keep up the great work!
Hey Dwight. I have a ton of free information on my blog including a couple of joke-writing tutorials that are really kick-ass. Start slow and really work the tools. Also study your favorite comics. I mean really study them. Write down their jokes, figure out their structures and apply the structures you to your own ideas. Take a look at this video on joke-writing. It’s a 45 minute lesson FREE for you! http://www.standupcomedyclinic.com/?p=810
Let me know if it helps.
Gil, thanks for the plug, man! Anytime you have a question about a joke or idea, drop me a line. Love to see if I can help punch it!
Thanks Ramsey! Are you getting up a lot? Let me rephrase that: Are you getting up on stage a lot?
I like it Richard. What if you switched it? “All night long I dreamed about drowning…turns out my waterbed sprung a leak.” Makes a nice non-sequitor.
Thanks for the feedback. Rock on!
Okay. Here and there. Still at it. I’m amazed how easy it was to make those six minutes in class. Props to you on your teaching.