| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
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| sarcasm | 11/6/2009 | Tom |
Q: I have one question? How does a person develop their sarcastic wit? A: Chris -- This is an interesting question, because I think that, for most people, sarcasm doesn't ...
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| Why don’t some comedians laugh about their jokes? | 10/19/2009 | Tom |
Q: i need for my project to know: Why don’t some comedians laugh about their jokes? do you know ... A: Anthony -- I'm thinking that you are referring to the fact that some stage comedians deliver their ...
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| Joke Writing | 10/7/2009 | Tom |
Q: Tom, For performing standup (I have yet to get on stage), how should I write my jokes out? Should ... A: Evan -- Sure, this makes sense. I think it's great that you're thinking about these practical ...
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| about writing and performing | 10/1/2009 | Tom |
Q: I want to ask a question. Are comedians actors as well as public speakers? A: Chris -- Yes! In fact, I think everyone who works effectively with groups (comedians, teachers, ...
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| more specifically about writing | 9/27/2009 | Tom |
Q: My name is Chris, the first thing I want to ask is, How do you find the irony in a joke in different ... A: Chris -- I think the most important part of what you write in your question is that you have some ...
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| Joke Help | 8/12/2009 | Tom |
Q: Im like a few other people here who have posted, people from school and work say im pretty funny. I ... A: TJ -- I apologize for the delay in my response -- I must have missed the first notification of your ...
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| Reworking Material & Your Audience | 7/28/2009 | Tom |
Q: What are your thoughts on reworking material? when do you know when its time to let go of a joke? ... A: Jarel Jimmy -- Thanks for your questions. I'm only going to tackle one of them directly, the one ...
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| Best time to start off | 7/18/2009 | Tom |
Q: Hey. I'm a 16 year old boy and i have admired stand up comedy for a long time now, a lot of people ... A: Ryan -- This is an interesting question. Most people wonder how quickly they can move through ...
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| comedic personna | 7/17/2009 | Tom |
Q: My name is Chris and what I want to know is how I can develop my comedic persona? andIalso want to ... A: Chris -- It sounds as if you've already been doing the main thing that I recommend, which is to ...
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| Multiple PERSONA-lity | 7/10/2009 | Tom |
Q: Experience: 1 open mic night I'm concerned about coming off having multiple persona's and confusing ... A: Jarel Jimmy -- Thanks for the interesting questions. I'll tell you right away that I am personally ...
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| Capitol Steps | 6/22/2009 | Tom |
Q: Is there any way a guy like me, who has been writing song parodies for family/friends' events for ... A: David -- Good question. This one is actually addressed on the Steps' FAQ page ...
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| Comedy | 5/24/2009 | Tom |
Q: How do you go about writing material? It's easy to be funny in the moment but it's hard to just ... A: Louis -- This is a good question, and I suspect that different people would have quite different ...
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| what about 32 ? | 5/7/2009 | Tom |
Q: ive been wanting to get into comedy in some form or fashion... mainly my own for a few years now. i ... A: Joe -- It hasn't been my goal to be a professional comedian, but I started doing serious work with ...
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| getting started in stand up | 3/18/2009 | Tom |
Q: Well I hate saying that I'm funny but all my friends say that I could do stand up and that I have ... A: Matt -- I think that going right from joking around with friends to the stage of a comedy club is ...
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| getting started in stand up | 3/18/2009 | Tom |
Q: Well I hate saying that I'm funny but all my friends say that I could do stand up and that I have ... A: Matt -- I can identify with your situation. I think that using other comedians as a guide to your ...
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| Subjects for humor columns | 2/9/2009 | Lucas Werner |
Q: I just started working as a news reporting intern for Canyon News and The San Francisco News. My ... A: How about observations? Look for what you find funny or ironic in daily life and write short bits. ...
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| Getting 1st gig | 1/16/2009 | Tom |
Q: I've had dozens of people tell me I should do stand up I have written 100 pages of material, I wrote ... A: Ed -- Thanks for the great question. It certainly sounds like you've been approaching this whole ...
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| Comedy | 1/9/2009 | Tom |
Q: I used to be an awesome class clown at school but lately i seemed to have lost my touch. If it ... A: Brayden -- This question is a little out of my area, which has more to do with planned comedy than ...
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| Improve my speech. | 1/6/2009 | Lucas Werner |
Q: I'm fifteen years old, male and in high school, 10th grade. I have come to the realization that ... A: Class clowning is a good positive step. But stick with school, do your home work and keep up the ...
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| Preacher role | 12/2/2008 | Tom |
Q: i'm invited to a party in a weeks time, and in this party, theres an entertainment company which is ... A: Sal -- I appreciate your desire to come up with a great character, but I'm also wondering whether ...
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| fun talk | 11/29/2008 | Tom |
Q: Sir, my question goes this way, if you are on a stage and you crake joke which you expect people ... A: Isaac -- It's good that you're thinking ahead about such a situation, because it's bound to happen ...
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| funny orchestra conductor name | 11/15/2008 | Tom |
Q: I remember a funny man who did a comedic act where he pretended to direct an orchestra. He was ... A: John -- Thanks for the question -- an interesting one even though it's kind of out of my area of ...
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| What's Funny or Offensive | 9/26/2008 | Lucas Werner |
Q: Most comedy I hear is based on true life experiences, how do you distinguish what's funny and what ... A: Funny is funny. However, what comedians refer to as blue humor is what some may find offensive or ...
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| about joke writing | 8/25/2008 | Tom |
Q: my name is chris. i love to write jokes. i use self-deprecating humor and i like to throw in some ... A: Chris -- It sounds like you're asking the right questions, but it's getting a little out of my area ...
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| about joke writing | 8/24/2008 | Tom |
Q: my name is chris. i love to write jokes. i use self-deprecating humor and i like to throw in some ... A: Chris -- I've used a system of keeping notes when ideas come to me. This helps me when I'm trying ...
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| about joke writing | 8/22/2008 | Tom |
Q: my name is chris. i love to write jokes. i use self-deprecating humor and i like to throw in some ... A: Chris -- Thanks for the interesting question and for providing good details about your situation. ...
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| memory | 7/23/2008 | Tom |
Q: is there any techniques or ways to remember jokes? A: leeroy -- [Sorry; you give no clue about how to properly capitalize your name] I know what you're ...
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| comedy material | 6/27/2008 | Tom |
Q: I really want to be a comedian when I'm older, all my friends say I have what it takes and I'm ... A: Chelsea -- What a great question! I think you may already have the answer, even if you don't ...
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| What should I do?? | 6/10/2008 | Tom |
Q: I am 20 years old. I will be 21 this Sept 1st. I have done stand up three times. It went well (and ... A: Jennifer -- I, too, believe that my voice is not one of my strong points, and I long for the ...
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| getting started | 3/10/2008 | Matt McDonald |
Q: how should i get started stand up comedian acts A: I get this question a lot and I've got a standard response, which is available in the archives: ...
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| Controlling nerves and how to make sure your not over doing it and copywrighted material | 2/26/2008 | Matt McDonald |
Q: I am an amature comedian. I have only done it twice. Theres two things I need to work on. Number one ... A: >When I'm on stage I'm fine but once I had forgotton what I was going to say and I got kinda scared ...
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| a comedian problem | 2/21/2008 | Lucas Werner |
Q: well me and some of my friends like to joke around and do all kinds of crazy things well one day one ... A: Jesse, you're either funny or you're not. Joking around with friends is one thing, but actually ...
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| getting started | 2/13/2008 | Matt McDonald |
Q: how would i go about getting my voice heard and putting together an actual show? A: I get this question quite a bit. I'd suggest looking at the following past answer I've given and, if ...
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| Getting Started | 2/11/2008 | Matt McDonald |
Q: Can you tell me what happens if you are "successful" at a few open mic nights? Is that how you can ... A: In most cases, other local comics will point you in the right direction, possibly recommend you or ...
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| Rick Bryan- Stand-up comedian to be....... | 1/29/2008 | Matt McDonald |
Q: How can I get started in stand-up comedy? What should I expect? How can I get past stage fright? A: I get this question a lot and I've got a standard response, which is available in the archives: ...
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| general | 1/28/2008 | Matt McDonald |
Q: Hey, i was wondering if you could tell me say about a day in the life of a comedian. How do you guys ... A: >How do you guys travel to different clubs? Generally we drive. Some of the more well-known names ...
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| Improv Info? | 1/15/2008 | Eric |
Q: How are you today? My name is Phoenix Sevillo. I'm doing a research project on improv comedy for ... A: Improve doesn't require intelligence so much as quick wit. You have to fast on your toes and be able ...
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| geting started | 12/17/2007 | Eric |
Q: i am only 16 years old and i really enjoy making people laugh all my friends keep encouraging me to ... A: The best way to start anything is by having a plan of attack. First you need to put all of your ...
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| Your just what I was looking for!!! | 12/17/2007 | Matt McDonald |
Q: Hey matt, Im a 19 year old male, who just discoverd his talent. I had been wondering for the last ... A: TANK, I'm really sure how much help I can give or that you need. If you're already writing and ...
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| I need help! | 12/10/2007 | Eric |
Q: I love comedy but I have resigned myself to study it. I would love to be a comedian, and although I ... A: The problem may be that you have such anxiety about your ability to relay you’re material, that you ...
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