Sitemap - 2023 - Funny How: Letters to a Young Comedian
Best of the past year (2023) at "Funny How"
Punchlines that are “surprising, yet inevitable”
The problem with punching up and punching down
Ronny Chieng on the true job of comedians
The magical combo that fueled Chris Rock's early standup
Getting laughs out of places you would never think to get laughs
The rare ability Seinfeld thinks comedians need most
But, therefore: Writing advice from Matt Stone and Trey Parker
10 Good Things: Newhart/Rickles, Roy Wood Jr., Kendrick Lamar's notes, storytelling tips, and more
"Cancelled" comics vs. "I'm offended" audiences
Walter Murch, referred pain, and botched exposition
How my best bits originate in conversations (and more Q&A)
Conan O’Brien, Tom Scharpling, and Mel Brooks on the secrets of the straight man
Does great comedy have to come from a personal place?
Get into it – because they can tell
How Nate Bargatze does "dumb guy humor" without being cartoonish
The heavier the situation, the more we need jokes
Mention in the NY Times “On Comedy” column
Gary Gulman dives deep on two of his greatest bits
How Larry David and Steve Martin accept awards
Memorize or improvise? Also: How to develop a stage character.
Mike Birbiglia: "If you're not telling secrets, who cares?"
Philip Seymour Hoffman's advice to aspiring actors
Great interviews with Patrice O’Neal
George Saunders on how to inject humor into a story
10 Good Things: Maria Bamford, Bill Burr, Larry David, and more
The best online standup comedy class around
How to talk about politics without losing the crowd
How we often emulate the wrong people
The "really good" Ira Glass note Mike Birbiglia gave to Gary Gulman
How scared should comedians be of AI?
Dave Chappelle's biggest influence may surprise you
10 Good Things: Colin Quinn, Tom Segura, Judd Apatow, Stephen King, and more
Kurt Vonnegut's advice on telling stories and writing jokes
16 lessons from legendary clown school instructor Philippe Gaulier
How Patrice O’Neal and Bill Hicks weaved from material to riffing
Write straight into the emotional center of things
19 tips on doing standup like Patrice O’Neal
Cool visuals from Misguided Meditation
Judd Apatow and Bernie Mac on when it's okay to not get laughs
A punchline problem is really a setup problem
Albert Brooks’ Famous School for Comedians
Colin Quinn on comedy becoming woke
Classic bits: Give the bass player some (grief)
Best practices for posting comedy clips to social media
How a good comedy host is like a point guard
The best/worst thing about being a hack: It works
Want more stage time? Learn how to host.
Paul F. Tompkins: "How do I get a laugh without using that word?"
Your truth is more powerful than your mask
10 Good Things from Jim Gaffigan, Jay Leno, Steve Martin, and more
How Mike Birbiglia goes from jokes to stories to one-man show
What Tony Bennett learned about performing from Bob Hope and Frank Sinatra
The advice Bobby Lee gave Whitney Cummings when she started doing standup
Chris Rock on bombing and how writing works
How to slow roll your setup to build tension in a joke
What director John Hughes knew about writing good jokes
What advice would I give to a comedian thinking of moving to NYC?
Seinfeld hates cheap applause lines
Why Dave Chappelle claimed to feel 20% black and 80% comedian
Seinfeld on the brutality of standup comedy
Say what they're thinking and they'll love you for it
"You're a comedian, you must hate cancel culture!"
Reader: "Do you still use any of your old jokes?"
Comedian: "I want to give up on standup because I find the toxicity overwhelming"
Talking Funny: Seinfeld, Rock, Gervais, and CK
How do you make a living as a comedian?
If I want to be a comedian [or actor/writer/improviser/director], how do I get started?
"Laughing is the gap between what’s true and what’s expected"
Dave Chappelle says, "Comedians have a responsibility to speak recklessly."
There is no hack subject, only hack approaches
Matt Ruby on "Behind the Bits"
The comedian who zinged Trump the best
Steven Wright on how he writes jokes
10 Good Things: Chris Rock's rhythm, CK on social media, and more
The most important thing about art is to work
A documentary about the NYC standup scene in 2009
How Roy Wood Jr. approached the White House Correspondents’ Dinner
"Tired, tired, tired!" Repeat your setup...
10 Good Things: Ephron, Bamford, Seinfeld, Mulaney, and more
Sam Morril on running your material through the mud
Figure out what you wouldn’t mind being disliked for
How Mel Brooks got started as a pool tummler
Write a sketch and then act it out
Seinfeld on the two voices you need to write well
Louis CK on the five types of things you shouldn't say...
Colin Quinn on why it's key to have fun onstage
Using imitation to reveal your voice
Gary Gulman on Hitler's shenanigans
Chris Rock, Johnny Carson, and the pratfall effect
Why you need a little bad taste
Don't be the man in the center
The Comedian’s Guide to Feedback
10 Good Things: Jerry Saltz, Albert Brooks, Mel Brooks, Jerry Seinfeld, Paul Graham, etc.
If you never let them know, they never know
Charlie Kaufman on the perils of thinking like a suit
Why Seinfeld isn't a fan of writing onstage
How to structure a tight five set for late night
The worst thing a comedian can do onstage
The greatest Mitch Hedberg joke (according to Mike Birbiglia)
The worst things you can do in standup
Todd Barry joking about the south
10 Good Things from Jerry Seinfeld, Heather Havrilesky, Sebastian Maniscalco, and more
How a set is built: slowly and methodically
“I’m not for everyone” is a valuable position (and other great tips from Gary Gulman)
The advice Bo Burnham gave Jerrod Carmichael that inspired Rothaniel
Rowan Atkinson on when punching down can work
The intersection between anger and comedy
Dennis Miller on the worst thing a comedian can do
The audience wants a piece of your soul
10 Good Things: The 7-38-55 rule, working blue, Anthony Bourdain, Jon Stewart, and more
Interviews about standup delivery, timing, writing material, and more
Hacks, clichés, and how you can learn from stuff you hate
Christopher Hitchens: Write like you're dead
Bill Burr on emotions, writing, and becoming undeniable
How to self-release a comedy special (or any video really) on YouTube
The best way to come up with joke ideas
My new special "Substance" drops
You don't have to be personal to be authentic
Seinfeld on finding fun for the ear
Using "Game of the Scene" in standup
The best question to ask when writing