Sitemap - 2022 - Funny How: Letters to a Young Comedian
Write about things that confuse and bother you
"Massage" lines that let a crowd know you're not a complete jerk
The pros and cons of doing a character
Should you worry about burning material?
Chris Rock: A good comic never blames the audience
Where are the jokes about ____?
10 Good Things from David Bowie, Anthony Bourdain, Norm Macdonald, Milton Glaser, and Wanda Sykes
Going from "you suck" to "we suck"
John Mulaney's advice for handling a big crowd: “Louder and faster.”
How (and why) to write new jokes onstage
James Clear: You should fail 10-20% of the time
The best hack: Start making the thing
Begin with your ending – and other great storytelling advice from Mike Birbiglia
Running a room: What to tell performers in advance.
How to memorize stuff? Visit the memory palace.
What Alfred Hitchcock can teach you about comedy
The truth about comedy crowdwork clips
How to write a standup hour, broken down
Rick Rubin on what makes an artist great
How to get spots when visiting another city
Funny is just a multiplier. It’s the grind that makes you a great comic.
There's gold in the things we think but never say
Sam Morril: "Follow the joke."
How Chris Rock and Jerry Seinfeld write new material
Interview: Comedy philosophy, writing jokes, Dave Attell, etc.
Seinfeld: "If you’re doing it for you, you’ll have problems"
What I learned from my first 10 years doing standup comedy
Norm Macdonald on silence and why he liked wandering around aimlessly
Perfect bit: Jim Gaffigan’s Hot Pockets
The story behind Chris Rock's "Bring the Pain"
Boom, boom, bang: The rule of three
Leonard Cohen on why hard work trumps inspiration
Running a room: 10 things that ruin comedy shows
Let's get physical: Rowan Atkinson and Peter Sellers
Jerry Seinfeld on writing “switch piece” jokes
Therapist to the (funny) stars on why most comedians are either the youngest or only child
You can't just write jokes. You need to say them.
John Mulaney: “If you don’t seem like you care, why should they care?”
The "prayer" Gary Gulman says before every show
Seem spontaneous, radiate enjoyment, and give it to 'em straight
Being dirty buys you room to be emotional (and vice versa)
Breaking up with your creative past
The best way to write is to talk
A conversation about Buddhism and dark comedy
Bill Burr explains the backstory to his legendary roast of Philadelphia set
Re: your comic "voice" and being careful what you wish for
Ira Glass: What beginners make just ain't that good (and what to do about it)
A dissection of Ali Wong’s "Baby Cobra" special
Louis CK on how George Carlin inspired him
This is how comedians should feel about awards
Chris Gethard's opinions on comedy
I just got 1.3M views on Instagram. Here's why that sucks.
The thing you least want to talk about is the thing they most want to hear
Steve Martin on the different kinds of laughter
10 lessons from standup comedy that can make anyone a better speaker
Working with an audience is like being an animal trainer
Finding a good writing partner
The best comedy leads the audience somewhere they're not prepared to go
I discussed "Funny How" on the Tom Kelly Show
Building tension to get anticipatory laughs
Joking about people who feel attacked? Make sure you've got a good take.
Tips on hosting (#1: Be selfless)
Steve Martin: "Be undeniably good."
Chris Rock: "It's not working because the audience doesn't understand the premise."
Words Seinfeld loves: Chimps. Dirt. Playing. Sticks.
The algorithm is the new industry
Bill Hicks’ Principles of Comedy
Setting the tone with your opener
Words of (standup) wisdom from Jon Stewart
Colin Quinn on the job of the comedian
The heyoka and how to be a sacred clown
Seinfeld: "They're not really laughing at the joke, they're laughing at you."
Be extraordinarily prepared but completely open to happy accidents
Norm Macdonald on silence, setups, and beginner's mind
Ralphie May's Standup Master Class
Ted Alexandro: It's not a business, it's a lifestyle.
More inspirational lessons from George Carlin
Louis CK on George Carlin and brushback pitches
How Jeff Foxworthy uses Venn diagrams to write jokes
How to get hired as a comedy writer
"I ain't scared of you motherf**kers!"
All you need is 1,000 true fans
Brian Eno: Scene + Genius = Scenius
There’s a reason it’s called a punchline
Ironic condescension: Looking down while being wrong
George Saunders on how to get your writing fairer, funnier, and smarter
George Carlin: "It's important to not give a sh*t."
What Anthony Jeselnik learned from Norm Macdonald