This post is for archived comments that have been moved from other posts.
The very best stand-up comedy tips on the planet for new comedians!
The very best stand-up comedy tips on the planet for new comedians!
This post is for archived comments that have been moved from other posts.
I think we have two very different, though very related, questions here: (1) the article title — “Can I know if my stand-upcomedy material is funny…?” and (2) The italicized question stated in the opening lines of the article: “Is there any way to know if my stand-up comedy material will work…?”
You CAN know if it’s funny. If it made you laugh or smile as you first conceived (or “received”) the idea, it’s funny. Prove it by relating or delivering it to one or more friends or colleagues, and judge by their response — remembering that what is ‘funny’ for one person/audience might not be for another. So, determining if you have funny material is the easy part.
The second question is much more difficult to answer definitively. The only way to be absolutely sure is to actually perform it before a live audience. In my experience, if I am convinced that I have funny material — and I wouldn’t or SHOULDN’T get on stage without that confidence — and don’t get the laughter-response I anticipated, something else is wrong. Maybe I mis-read my audience as I prepared my material, perhaps I didn’t prepare (rehearse) enough, my delivery may need work,
I guess I’m respectfully disagreeing here, Steve. I believe there are so many variables (some beyond our control) that one can NOT “know” that the material (even if it IS funny) will ‘work’ — which is why even seasoned comedians find themselves performing to a difficult room. However, there are some variables that we can — and SHOULD — control: our material, our preparation, our delivery, etc. and the more we perform at the top of OUR game, the better we can weather those difficult rooms.
Please note that the information provided in this article is not absolute — it is provided conditionally based on a few of a number of factors. Otherwise, there would be no need for performance improvement activities.
I will say this — once a comedian has the experience, knowledge and gets the big laughs with their stand-up comedy material consistently, it becomes easier to determine what stand-up comedy material will more than likely work well on stage before an audience ever gets exposed to new material.
But again, there are no absolutes.
Great article, Steve! I agree with all of it. Especially the exceptions. I have used a mirror for a few of those myself. But for the most part it is about just being your normal natural self.
Maybe just a little bit exaggerated, but it needs to be reflective of who you are. Your style, personality, sense of humor, etc. I agree that an audience can tell when they are being “joked.” They are in the audience because they want to laugh, but they don’t want to be made to feel like you are looking down at them, trying to pull the wool over their eyes. It’s just like having kids. They can tell when you are being genuine!
You know what they say, “It’s just like in comedy, timing is everything!” Personally, I would not say It’s everything. But it is a very important piece of the comic jigsaw puzzle! Things like your own natural sense of humor, topics that people can relate to, structuring your material, good rehearsing, confidence, etc. are all important pieces. But without good timing, your act will not be the best it is capable of being. It will be like flat soda pop.