Sitemap - 2024 - Funny How: Letters to a Young Comedian

How to hate (funny) like Howard Stern

15 random thoughts on standup comedy

What you shouldn’t do is exactly what they want

Louis CK on what comedy should provide

Taylor Tomlinson's guiding light when writing personal material

Heighten and explore

Norm Macdonald's "beginner’s mind" comedy

Nate Bargatze on how personal jokes mean more

Anthony Jeselnik and how to get away with being offensive

My new standup special “Bolo”

What do you do when another comic does your joke?

Politics, Trump, and comedy

"What is the best comedy advice you’ve ever received?"

How outrage benefits conservatives more than liberals

Laughter via repetition

Sarah Silverman explains her writing process

10 Good Things: They pay to see you believe

America just learned what everyone in comedy figured out years ago

Masterclass on storytelling with story guru Matthew Dicks

8 tips for corporate comedy gigs

All about that MSG rally, comedy, politics, and the power of context

An open letter to comedians (and comedy fans) who love free speech

John Oliver on comedy at moments of tragedy

What's your comedy brand?

How Anthony Jeselnik writes jokes

Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock on money

It’s true because it’s funny

Crowdwork tips

Why it's so important to be silly

The best jokes ever about New York City

10 Good Things: Playful alertness, the triple misdirect, and the secret of creative work

"A fantastic experiment in chemistry and comedy"

Screenplay advice: Write stuff you can actually shoot

Writing "how to"s from Churchill, Seinfeld, and more

The rake bit as life philosophy

Tell-it-like-it-is vets offer advice to newer comedians

On being vulnerable vs. just telling jokes

10 good things: Add the humor last, Rogan/Austin, and GOAT convos

How to launch a standup special

Hope vs. Cynicism: Lessons from Nick Cave and Patton Oswalt

What comedians can learn from Taylor Swift

At least gatekeepers recognized hack

On frames, comedy, and podcasters like Theo Von, Joe Rogan, & Marc Maron

10 Good Things: Mike Birbiglia, Colin Quinn, Taylor Tomlinson, and more

The Creativity Faucet

Free speech and fake outrage

Seinfeld's 12 rules for comedy

Comedy as an abusive relationship

Lessons for a creative agency about comedy

What to say to bookers in an email

10 Good Things: Why “aww” sucks and more

Jerry Seinfeld's best bits about writing in a 17-minute video

How to structure a story, according to Ira Glass

Finding surprise in adjusting speeds

Set the controls for the heart of the fun

The beer pong intimacy of Shane Gillis

The front row of every standup show on the road

The problem with writing standup for the algorithm

Trying to get laughs from the n-word

Great storytellers offer tips on how to do it right

Prove you're funny first

How rehearsing jokes out loud creates punchlines

Resources for becoming a better storyteller

Why comedy ages so poorly

How do I get an agent/manager?

Embrace spontaneity, get crazy, and offer a roadmap

How morning pages clear your mind

Brian Regan's amazing "You too!" opener

New podcast about hacks, clapter, and politics

You have to set it up right

"The scariest moment is always just before you start"

The four components of standup, according to Jerry Seinfeld

Eddie Murphy on his relationship with the audience

10 Good Things: Bombing, Greta, Giraldo, and the Brady Roast

On blind spots and the difference between Dave Chappelle and Bill Burr

The two questions Ira Glass says lead to great stories

How Bill Maher writes his closing monologues

Comedy tips from Nate Bargatze

Lessons on being likable from charismatic celebs

Chris Rock and Jerry Seinfeld's message to young comedians

How to do visual comedy

10 Good Things: The advice Chris Rock gave Kevin Hart

Writing jokes based on emotions

Videos that teach you how to be funny

On the Seinfeld backlash

How to make your comedy more interesting

"Page one in comedy" according to Bill Burr

If you talk about it three times offstage, bring it to the stage

I did a standup tour in Europe. This is what it was like.

Laughs and tears

Where do I get my standup material?

Advice for doing your first standup comedy set

Katt Williams explains his writing process

How George Carlin wrote new material

Comedy is the most beautiful way to complain

Paul F. Tompkins’ advice on dealing with hecklers

Talking Funny

The advice Dave Chappelle gave a young Bill Burr

Give 'em something to look at

The magic of longer jokes

Seinfeld explains how comedy is like surfing

Relentless Juxtaposition

Talk about what drives you crazy

TikTok guru: Start posting longer clips

What does it mean to be fearless onstage?

Jerry Seinfeld reveals what audiences REALLY want

The best way to get material: talk to people

10 Good Things: Curb, Seinfeld, Ramy, etc.

Godfrey: "You can't cheat it."

Tape and listen to every set

Bill Burr's favorite standup bit

Why Dave Chappelle laughs at his own jokes so much

George Carlin's writing process

How Jerry Seinfeld makes "charm bracelets"

“I’m glad you said that” laughs

Big if True goodies

10 Good Things from Maria Bamford, Lena Dunham, Stephen King, Sarah Silverman, etc.

My fave opening joke ever is Louis CK's broke bit

The Comedy Stack offers a way to track your comedy career

14 secrets that will make you a great storyteller

How to avoid being a hack

Things that aren't doing the thing

Who am I and why am I here?

Personas: How Larry David, Bob Dylan, and Woody Allen go to extremes

Don't get too obsessed with killing

Neal Brennan: "When you laugh, you're more likable."

10 Good Things: Rick Rubin’s advice to comedians and Seinfeld on Lorne Michaels' secret weapon

Getting the dirty water out of your system

"Comedy Book" author Jesse David Fox' advice for aspiring comedians

Getting ideas from idea gardens

Ramy Youssef on positive silence in standup

How Taylor Tomlinson came up with her closer

In praise of bothsidesism (and Jon Stewart)

10 Good Things: Eminem stacking ammo, Louis CK and Joe Rogan on writing, and starting with "I"

What are your -isms?

What's it like doing standup at the Beacon Theater?

How Jim Gaffigan won over a crowd of hipsters

The laughs that teach you the most

10 Good Things: Judd Apatow on Gary Gulman, Mike Birbiglia, Gloria Steinem, Ronny Chieng, etc.

“Mom, have you ever thought about being a stand-up comedian?”

The math of being Rodney Dangerfield on Johnny Carson

Don't waste time with open-ended questions

Snoop Dogg’s advice for standup comedians

A lesson in timing from Johnny Carson

“Can you imagine the meeting where they decided to…?”

Comedy and how the algorithm rewards outrage

How to tell good jokes about trans people

What comics can learn from Jo Koy's monologue bomb at the Golden Globes

Authentic Comedian on self-deprecation, long sets, not being a hack, etc.

How to reply to “You’re a comedian? Tell me a joke!”

Comedians joking about how much they hate crowdwork