Back when I wrote for 118 118, if a joke seemed obvious I'd Google it and if it didn't pop up yay!
And if it did, dump it.
Practicing Stand Up - Attempt No.3 Page 2
If we all spent time googling our gags we'd never get anywhere. My view is like sooty's - if there's a nagging feeling that it's been done, check it out. If not, go ahead. And if someone points out a similarity later stop using it. We can't have absolute knowledge of every gag ever told. Innocent similarities are a world away from Cheggers.
But a plagarised gag can certainly damage your whole set and do it to often your rep as a standup
A really good set there, pretty much all the gags were well put together, I especially liked the boss one and the Pringles one.
I agree with Tony, there are new and original jokes coming about all the time, but there will always be similirities between some jokes, I don't think many real comedians would stand up and quote downright copies, which would be pointless and would make the comedian look cheap and not very credible.
I never Google before or after writing a joke, but I think Sooty has a point, if you're doing it profesionally then it might be a good idea to have a little check first.
I'd say Google if it feels kinda obvious.
Quote: sootyj @ June 11 2011, 12:24 PM BSTBack when I wrote for 118 118, if a joke seemed obvious I'd Google it and if it didn't pop up yay!
Did you come up with those moustached twins?
Quote: sootyj @ June 11 2011, 2:43 PM BSTBut a plagarised gag can certainly damage your whole set and do it to often your rep as a standup
We're not talking plagiarism here, just innocent similarities. Plagiarism is deliberate rather than accidental, isn't it?
Quote: Shandonbelle @ June 11 2011, 2:46 PM BSTDid you come up with those moustached twins?
No, David Bedford did.
There's some funny gags, but you really need to go and do it live rather than recording these things alone in a room. Go out, see what works, die a few times, get better. You're only going to get better at both writing material and performing it by actually getting up on stage and gradually, painfully, improving until you get to a point where people in the audience no longer want to kill you.
Routine No.4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqXNoSsRhf8
Thanks for uploading these, I enjoyed them; it's a shame they're not recorded in a hall though, I'm sure the bedroom-setting detracts from the feeling. Could put a bit of reverb on the mic? You look a bit petrified, but that's to be expected I suppose. What you really need IMHO is your own style; it feels a bit ordinary at the moment.
My favourite bits were the 'mint' routine from 3 and the "Next Please" bit from 4, because they seemed the most original, but of course that's personal, I happen to not like the more conventional gags much.
Quote: Nogget @ July 22 2011, 9:19 AM BSTYou look a bit petrified, but that's to be expected I suppose.
Performing alone? What's to be scared about?
Theres no way you should still be performing these at home, I think you are more than ready to do a gig, and it would really help you to get one under your belt.
The thing about you is your likeability, and that counts. I laughed at that routine, the robbery ones were the strongest I'd say, silly and funny. Lots in there to play with, some of the gags could be improved slightly, but a good mix of subjects in there.
Presentation wise, maybe be aware that you are rocking on your feet and rectify that. Really like it though, and the others you've shown us.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ July 22 2011, 9:42 AM BSTPerforming alone? What's to be scared about?
YMMV of course, but I play guitar, and have performed live many times, no problem; but as soon as I turn a camera on to film myself playing alone, suddenly I make all manner of mistakes.
Quote: Nogget @ July 22 2011, 9:58 AM BSTYMMV of course
Your Mother Mastubating Voles? Off-putting but hardly intimidating.
Quote: Nogget @ July 22 2011, 9:58 AM BSTYMMV
