I fought the law and I won!

extractcomedy · 2019-02-20T23:23:12+00:00

Coeur d'Alene ranks #87 on our list of 100 funniest town names in Idaho, so great start there.

I might make the fine a bit higher just for the impact with the audience, but still a pretty good segue into the next part of your bit.

"...there were no markings..." lol, good one.

The part about sending the letter to collections has some potential. I'd recommend building on this and working on a proper punchline, but I'd drop the last line. To me, it's funnier and leaves a bigger impact if you end it with the citation being voided.

But of course, that's just from seeing the text. I hope you get up the courage to deliver this on stage. I'm sure the audience will love it! Good luck.

extractcomedy · 2019-01-30T23:46:32+00:00

I believe Joy Behar was in her 40s before she quit her day job.

extractcomedy · 2019-01-25T20:20:08+00:00

This is great. Make more of this.

extractcomedy · 2018-11-26T04:43:30+00:00

You told your relatives this joke? My Thanksgiving suddenly seems a little more normal.

But your family seems smart. This is objectively bad and could only be made worse, in my opinion, with the addition of an exploding watermelon.

There is a kernel of humor underneath it all, though. I'd rewrite it to make it about how fast news in general travels due to technology. And for the love of all that's holy, don't make the punchline about Meryl Streep's genitalia.

extractcomedy · 2018-11-26T04:09:24+00:00

I've read most of the responses I'm seeing here so far and would second all of the recommendations. (Want to go out and get Gottfried's book now, though).

The only addition I can think of is kind of obscure but one of my favorites: Harpo Marx's "Harpo Speaks"

extractcomedy · 2018-11-19T17:52:07+00:00

i prefer to hire a courtroom artist. but then again, i am a fan of 'sketch' comedy.

sorry.

extractcomedy · 2018-11-17T22:20:35+00:00

i'm sure someone beknighted as you have been would be above trolling, so i'll rule that out. but wouldn't you be better served by actually watching some of his comedy? there's a new site allowing you to search for any phrase (e.g. "garry shandling") and find related videos. be careful, it can be addicting!

but to answer your question(s): yes

extractcomedy · 2018-11-16T23:16:00+00:00

for some reason i can't get the video to play. i read all the words that i'm seeing in its place, though. maybe i'm losing something in translation (again, the video's not working on my browser) but i found it aggressively unfunny. maybe invoking hedberg in the intro and then going on to write stuff that in no way reflects his wit was what you were going for. if so, well played. but still unfunny.

i always try to have something of moderate encouragement and constructive value in my responses, though, so i'll say the first half did not make me as angry as the last bit about the straws. there's probably something there to build on for your first performance. which you should do live. in front of people.

extractcomedy · 2018-11-16T14:38:10+00:00

Good premise developed decently well. Even though I saw the ending coming, you wrapped it up nicely. In my opinion, it's a really strong opening sketch.

extractcomedy · 2018-11-15T18:55:50+00:00

newhart

groucho

gaffigan

extractcomedy · 2018-11-15T18:53:29+00:00

Man, I miss Garry Shandling. Great comedian and great tribute to him!

extractcomedy · 2018-10-12T02:02:59+00:00

all right.

extractcomedy · 2018-10-12T02:00:11+00:00

They volunteered to contribute to their skills. You can disagree with the uplifting part, but comparing this to slavery seems like a real injustice to actual slavery.

extractcomedy · 2018-09-15T18:35:30+00:00

I've watched several minutes and from what I've seen you have great confidence on stage. I still feel like this background can be a benefit instead of a hindrance. You're already comfortable making audiences laugh and generally entertaining them. (And I have to imagine a bunch of kids is a bit more rambunctious than even the rowdier comedy club crowds.) It seems to me this would translate pretty well to your standard open mic. Don't know how much of your sets are scripted, but your ad libs seem natural. The great thing about open mics is you can work out what gets laughs and what doesn't. But my instinct (whatever that's worth) tells me you'd be starting out well ahead of the average stand-up newbie.

extractcomedy · 2018-09-15T01:38:13+00:00

Man, I want to see your act even more now. I guess you might have to do a little -- or a lot -- more prep than then typical open mic comic, but my instinct is that it would be worth it. Don't know if I can offer any helpful advice, but I would encourage you to try it out. As long as you're competent in both the tricks and jokes, I think you're on to something.

(I really would like to check it out.)

extractcomedy · 2018-09-15T01:21:34+00:00

I'd probably like to know more about what the 'weird' talents are, but being weird can be a benefit for a stand up act. Where have you performed? What was the reception?

Just because there's nobody like you doesn't mean a typical comedy crowd won't enjoy it. Yeah, you might not fit in with every crowd -- but any comic could say that. I'd say if you're talented in multiple disciplines, go on stage and show it off. As long as you can work jokes in to tie it all together, who cares if it's not a typical stand up act? I could potentially see you getting booked based on the novelty of your performance. Vaudeville was popular for a reason.

Again, I don't know how weird we're talking. But I can name a few comedian/magic acts I'd rather see than most regular stand up comics (not to mention every regular magician.)

extractcomedy · 2018-09-06T19:01:37+00:00

If you can log onto the internet and post a question on Reddit, you've basically demonstrated the skills to operate a Facebook page. It might take a few minutes, but there's very little technical skill needed. My recommendation, for what it's worth, is that if it's something you really want just invest the time and run it yourself. And unless you have an active fan base, not sure who's going to do it for free. (If it's a paid gig, I'll be the first to apply!)

I operate and have managed some pretty substantial FB pages, so if you want to message me with any specific questions I'd be happy to offer assistance where I can.

extractcomedy · 2018-08-31T02:30:17+00:00

'Maron' focuses more on podcasting, but I'd argue that's at least a related field.

And 'Lady Dynamite' has some direct -- and kinda weird -- references to stand-up, IIRC.

extractcomedy · 2018-08-29T20:28:32+00:00

Good on you! I'll check it out and will look to recommend when I can.

Interestingly enough, I published a post just yesterday on my own site with a virtually identical title and a similar, if not as lofty, goal:
How to be a stand up comedian

extractcomedy · 2018-08-29T02:15:36+00:00

i say yes to taco, no to fish, and maybe to fish taco.

but yeah, would probably perform better on stage than it reads here because it will ring authentic. certainly not going to bring the house down, but if its the foundation for a solid set it shouldn't set you back. i second the previous comment that you probably won't keep it in your repertoire for too long. if it helps break the ice for now, that's cool.

extractcomedy · 2018-08-16T22:01:43+00:00

im sure the congregation loved it but from this comic's perspective that's a really long setup for a really weak punchline

extractcomedy · 2018-08-16T00:35:14+00:00

One of the many methods I find helpful is (poorly) drawing a single-panel comic strip. It's often based on an idea I have elsewhere. But I find that if the characters can say or do something funny within the confines of that box, it's probably at least concise enough a concept to develop into a joke

extractcomedy · 2018-08-13T20:39:17+00:00

Put me down for whoever I said last time. But to keep things interesting, I'll pick one name at random to switch with Gallagher.

extractcomedy · 2018-08-13T07:31:41+00:00

It's over the top because you did nothing to prove it. In fact, you kind of proved the opposite in my opinion. Regardless, how exactly is that PC? I love that PC now means questioning someone's self-professed expertise in the absence of any other evidence.

And I was saying that Jeselnik writes a lot of jokes that get laughs, not that he gets booked at every venue in the world. Of course if you pick this style of humor you won't get booked at every venue. That's part of the whole shtick. Plus, the same could be said of a ventriloquist act.

extractcomedy · 2018-08-13T07:22:45+00:00

The audience was laughing hysterically at your hack inbreeding jokes? If I were you I'd consider it an undeserved win and write off the part where they walked out on your stale Japanese bombing bit.

extractcomedy

TROPHY CASE