“You’re a comedian? Tell me a joke!” It’s enough to elicit nightmares. The joke never works and then you have to explain “Well, that’s not how comedy really works…(blah blah blah).”
So here’s some wise advice from funny comic
:fellow standups!
i think i figured something out.
if you tell someone you’re a comic and they say “tell me a joke”…
did you know you could tell them SOMEONE ELSE’S joke?
like, a joke your friend wrote or a street joke you love.
and then if they say they want YOUR joke, you can run away!
My go-to joke for situations like that:
When someone hands you a flyer, it's like they're saying, “Here, you throw this away.”
-Mitch Hedberg
It’s quick, funny, and everyone can relate.
Alternatively, you can also just give ‘em a knock knock joke, kid’s joke, or whatever gets ‘em off your back.
Related:
That's a good way of getting someone off your back. Here's my way: I say, "I'm a comedian; what do you do?" (Obviously, do not pause between phrases...) So they tell you, e.g.,"I'm an investment banker." So I respond, "Really?!! Tell me some boilerplate!"
Here's another: They say, "I'm a cop." So you say, "Really?!! Tell me where I can get the best blow - and don't tell me the precinct's evidence locker, either!"
One more? They say, "I'm a teacher." So you say, "Really?!! Tell me how many parents you've whacked!"
Stops 'em dead in their tracks...
I'm just a P/T comedian...that is, I'm only funny between marriages.
dear matt,
thanks for sharing my words!
and now with this comment and note, i share YOUR sharing!
love,
myq