British Comedy Guide

Stand-up comedy help: Constructing your first 5 Page 3

Good luck Nat. Kill them. If they don't laugh.

Quote: Nat Wicks @ August 22 2010, 4:48 PM BST

Eep- didn't notice the thread had come back to life ! I currently have about 5 days and 2 hours left until we find out if my hard(ish) work has paid off !You can view the countdown on my blog !

http://www.comedyvirgin.blogspot.com/

I'm taking a stab at doing it all myself, but with some very helpful feedback from my lovely fella.

If the line works, as I expect it should given the geographical location, I am opening pretty strong. If the first line doesn't go down 100%, my entire first minute is very gag-heavy and should elliviate some of the pressure! I've also moved my order round a lot so I end on what I hope is a very strong section with a good punchline.

You never know though- I might come back in a week crying and in desperate need of some inspiration!

A guy I know from work tried to give me a gag and then admitted that he'd got it from a friend and had no idea of it's origin. It was a Milton Jones joke. Poor form.

Don't sweat you'll be fine.

And if you suck you can always have another go.

N.B. calling Cameron a c u next tuesday always gets a laugh, always.

Quote: sootyj @ August 22 2010, 5:47 PM BST

N.B. calling Cameron a c u next tuesday always gets a laugh, always.

Maybe, but that would be so easy and rubbish.

Good point. But I don't have anything political in there- it's all autobiographical.

Thanks guys. I will be having Dan record it on my phone. We shall see if I feel kind enough to share.

Quote: Matthew Stott @ August 22 2010, 5:51 PM BST

Maybe, but that would be so easy and rubbish.

Enough about your mother young man.

In standup there's nothing wrong with getting the audience warmed up with a cheapo gag, then hitting them with your more subtle stuff.

N.B. Nat you could alwayss raid some of the gag threads here, I'm sure no one would mind.

Quote: sootyj @ August 22 2010, 5:56 PM BST

In standup there's nothing wrong with getting the audience warmed up with a cheapo gag, then hitting them with your more subtle stuff.

To be fair, calling Cameron a c**t isn't really a gag. And if just calling him a c**t was a punchline to something, you've got to question the comics ability.

Stop encouraging me to user other peoples' material ! You should be helping me nurture my natural talent you helpful bastards :P

Quote: Matthew Stott @ August 22 2010, 6:00 PM BST

To be fair, calling Cameron a c**t isn't really a gag. And if just calling him a c**t was a punchline to something, you've got to question the comics ability.

Comedy is the art of the possible.

Quote: Nat Wicks @ August 22 2010, 6:01 PM BST

Stop encouraging me to user other peoples' material ! You should be helping me nurture my natural talent you helpful bastards :P

Have you ever posted your stuff?

I'd be interested to read it.

It can be useful to form even observational stuff into joke style formats.

Quote: sootyj @ August 22 2010, 6:21 PM BST

Comedy is the art of the possible.

The art of taking easy pot shots?

Quote: sootyj @ August 22 2010, 6:21 PM BST

Have you ever posted your stuff?

I'd be interested to read it.

It can be useful to form even observational stuff into joke style formats.

Nah, it seems a little futile, as standup tends not to translate to the page well.

On another note, I've just done my timings, and ran a minute over ! So I have taken out the weakest section, and feel a lot better about it. The job of memorising begins tomorrow !

I'm not so sure about that, it kinda needs to read funny.

Did you do a course?

Nah, I'm just doing it from scratch. I was a drama kid and have done a lot of stuff in front of audiences, so I'm okay in front of a crowd. That will help me, hopefully !

I know what you mean though, I suppose it is still funny written down, just doesn't have the same impact.

If you're that interested I'll PM you it :P

Why not?

Quote: sootyj @ August 22 2010, 5:56 PM BST

In standup there's nothing wrong with getting the audience warmed up with a cheapo gag, then hitting them with your more subtle stuff.

I believe Woody Allen frequently started his gigs off by referencing Lyndon Johnson as a c**t.

Quote: sootyj @ August 22 2010, 5:56 PM BST

N.B. Nat you could alwayss raid some of the gag threads here, I'm sure no one would mind.

Isn't that called "Being a very shit standup"?

talent borrows genius steals

besides the sermon on the mount with Jesus calling herod a c**t

Share this page