Jokes & Comedians/understatement

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Expert: Tom - 11/9/2009


Question
I would like to ask a question? How do you use understatements to get laughs in your comedy?

Answer
Chris --

I'd say that understatements are generally a particular form of sarcasm, although it is possible to deliver understatements while "pretending" that you don't realize they're understatements.

This isn't a form of humor that I use myself, so I haven't really thought too much about the mechanics of how to construct and deliver understatements to maximum effect. My standard advice, should you wish to learn yourself how to do any particular form of comedy, is to study the work of someone who uses it and try to figure out what makes some jokes of that type especially funny.

Good luck!

-- Tom

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Tom

Expertise

I can answer questions about The Capitol Steps, a political (mostly musical) satire group based in Washington, DC which performs in Washington, around the U.S., and four times a year on public radio. I can answer questions about who is performing which role in Capitol Steps sketches and songs on albumns and can help identify a routine (and which albumn or radio show includes it) based on partial lyrics. I can also provide tips and suggestions for those interested in writing and performing spoonerism-based comedy similar to the Steps` "Lirty Dies."

Experience

I have been a Capitol Steps fan since about 1995. I own all the albumns and have listened to each dozens of times. I have particularly studied (and particularly admire) the "Lirty Dies" routines and I have written and performed material of this sort. Despite the fact that I live halfway across the U.S. from Washington, I've attended many live Capitol Steps performances, including several at their permanent locations in the DC area.

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