Funny How: Letters to a Young Comedian

Funny How: Letters to a Young Comedian

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June 2025

Larry Charles on the only genuine emotion that fuels comedy
The comedy guru explains why hugging and learning are anathema to comedy.
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Matt Ruby
3
Brian Regan on the most difficult thing about standup
Plus other great quotes from Robin Williams, Gilbert Gottfried, Bill Burr, and Chris Rock.
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Matt Ruby
1
On shock therapy, righteous indignation, and why comedy's so lonely
Highlights from "Comedy Book: How Comedy Conquered Culture—and the Magic That Makes It Work" by Jesse David Fox.
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Matt Ruby
4
Key and Peele: Make fun of everything
"To not make fun of something is, we believe, itself a form of bullying."
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Matt Ruby
Tension is an opportunity
A little audience discomfort is a good thing. Plus, thoughts from Bill Burr and George Carlin on crossing the line.
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Matt Ruby
0:54
The real problem with calling "The Bear" a comedy
And what Fleabag, Atlanta, and Louie all had in common.
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Matt Ruby
1
A podcast on PR and branding in comedy
Jason Zinoman, NY Times comedy critic, guested it up on Sean Murphy’s Some Things Considered podcast.
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Matt Ruby
The worst sin you can commit as a comedian
A deep dive interview with me about comedy, algorithms, meditation, tension, and more.
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Matt Ruby
1
What brocasters learn from years of touring the country
Michael Hirschorn: "Authenticity, it seems, is what fills the void when authority dies."
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Matt Ruby
The power of showing up
"The Muse likes it when we show up."
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Matt Ruby
Jordan Peele's advice for overcoming writer's block
"If you’re not having fun writing, you’re doing it wrong."
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Matt Ruby
© 2025 Matt Ruby
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