or listening.
...or reading.
I'm just thinking about how I find myself able to think up of funnier things after watching certain comedies, like yesterday I watched One Foot In The Grave and today people seem to be erupting with laughter from my angry rants.
So does it make you(meaning me, unless more people agree) funnier or are you just subconsciously copying the thing you just seen?
Taking this argument to the extreme kinda blows the idea out of the water... for me. In that you could take a person with zero comedy talent, blast him with a scientifically derived 'perfect' set of programmes to watch and create the world's funniest comedian. It won't happen.
I think your unique comedy voice is the groundrock of all your output. Your influences define the direction of your voice, make you appeal more to a larger sector of the public (through imitating successful formulae), may make you hone your art, but it's only a process of refining what was already there. Nothing made you funnier. You were born that funny, you just needed to turn it from talent into craft / art. Which is a different process altogether.
Does that make sense to anyone? 
I pick up certain ticks, words and phrases that amuse me. About a month ago at work there was a discussion at work about the forks in the canteen and I said "I didn't get where I am today by not knowing a dirty fork when I see one.." Probably nobody else got it, but its ruined now as people will think I'm a fan of Neil Stuke whereas its John Barron I have in mind...
okay, drunk now but anyways... I mean do you find certain styles of comedy echoing through your person to funnier results than usual by times?
I dunno, sorry.
You mean does exposure to comedy influence people? Yes, in some cases, especially when people want others to think they are funny. But wit is no substitute for hard work and imitation is no substitute for originality and talent, etc, etc.
You're right, Sardines. You are drunk.
After I watched Tim Vine's DVDs, I was coming up with cheesy one liners of my own; I really hit the ground punning.
Quote: Yatta @ May 3 2009, 10:55 AM BSTAfter I watched Tim Vine's DVDs, I was coming up with cheesy one liners of my own; I really hit the ground punning.
That's what I mean, does watching certain comedies influence you to lean more towards their style influencing you instantly. Almost like doing stretches before a football match so you're less stiff.
We are all influenced by something and when I watch cutting-edge, original comedy it makes me want to raise my game as a writer and I think that makes me funnier. Some comedies give you a different angle to life so once you think along those lines you come up with different jokes.
I hope that makes sense, I've just made some sangria which involved lots of tasting. Lots.
Moved to Writers' Discussion.
I think it does. It's like training your brain to think in a certain way. Not to imitate what you're watching, or hearing but to give you a feel for the rhythms and structures of a particular type of writing or talking.
Like coming up with one liners after listening to Tim Vine, or thinking up crackpot ideas after watching Father Ted. I imagine Mark Evans went through a shitload of Costume dramas while writing Bleak House.
Quote: Aaron @ May 3 2009, 5:20 PM BSTMoved to Writers' Discussion.
Is this just about writing? I thought it was about being funny in general and I was just giving an example in my life (which was writing).
I make it a basic rule to start my comedy writing day by watching at least one sitcom episode - 'Joint Account', 'Meet The Husband' or 'The Gaffer', plus an episode of a sketch-based show, e.g. 'Russ Abbott's Madhouse', 'Cannon & Ball' or 'Bobby Davro's Gulag Of Laughter'.
My comedy muscles suitably warmed-up I confidently switch on the laptop and let the mirth channel through me. A warm yet unsettling feeling, akin to comedic urine slowly trickling down my thighs of whimsy and soaking into my trousers of pathos.
Tim is back. 
Quote: SlagA @ May 3 2009, 8:54 PM BSTTim is back.
Hi SlagA. Unfortunately (for you lot) I wasn't able to afford the full 8 weeks.