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Jokes & Comedians/Questions Answered by Expert Tom
| Subject | Date Asked |
| writing a joke by starting at the punchline | 1/12/2012 |
| Q: Hey Tom, I have been into stand-up comedy for as long as I can remember and am planning on giving ... A: Jason -- Thanks for your message, and I apologize for the delay in my response (wasn't due to a ... | |
| Writing comedy | 8/27/2011 |
| Q: The only problem with me trying to become a comedian is writing jokes I'm more of the spur of the ... A: Brandon -- Thanks for your message, and I apologize for the delay in my response. You express a ... | |
| sense of humor | 2/8/2011 |
| Q: In class when I talk I don't have any thing thing to say that would make my class fellows laugh.What ... A: Jack -- Thanks for your good question. I think it is sometimes difficult when other people seem to ... | |
| Comedy Writing Rules | 12/24/2010 |
| Q: If you don't mind can you share your top ten (or 20 :) lol) joke structure rules. for example... ... A: Jarel -- I'll give two rules, but they really only apply to the spoonerism-based comedy that I've ... | |
| Improv in StandUp | 12/24/2010 |
| Q: Is it more important to know how to improv during your set or have structured jokes that work? & How ... A: Jarel -- Both are important, just for different reasons. Nobody who performs a lot comes up with a ... | |
| Careers in Political Satire | 10/8/2010 |
| Q: I'm a student, and I'm looking into getting a career in political satire. Preferably I'd like to ... A: Brian -- Thanks for your question. I have to say that I've never really thought about how one might ... | |
| Bill Cosby | 10/4/2010 |
| Q: Bill Cosby cut an album and I think it's called "A very funny fellow Right" but I am not positive, ... A: Lila -- Thanks for the question (not stupid, and you provide a lot of detailed information to get ... | |
| Corporate comedy question | 8/9/2010 |
| Q: I'm a comedic actor who has done corporate comedy in the past until I decided to sell out & get a ... A: Sammy -- This is an interesting question. I think you're probably already ahead of the game in that ... | |
| "Your in the barrel" | 7/30/2010 |
| Q: I never got that... can you explain? A: Jason -- This is a reference to a classic (and somewhat unpleasant, I find) dirty joke. I'm going ... | |
| can't remember a joke---only punchline | 6/2/2010 |
| Q: What is the joke that ends with "How do it know?" Thanks. A: Jan -- I was able to find several potential answers by doing a Google search for ["how do it know" ... | |
| nervous | 5/17/2010 |
| Q: i just turned 18 and everyone tells me i would do great as a comedian and i love entertaining people ... A: Kaden -- It's great that you want to do something more with your skills and talents at humor. And ... | |
| Comics who make it and comics who don't.... | 5/17/2010 |
| Q: I was wondering what are your thoughts on comics who make it and some who don't. It's like there are ... A: Mike -- This is an interesting question, even if the answer to why some make it and some don't ... | |
| Sharing your thoughts with other comics.... | 4/6/2010 |
| Q: I am new comic and I am doing pretty well so far. Sometimes I'll have other comics ask me what are ... A: Danny -- I think you're asking a good question, and probably one that applies in lots of situations ... | |
| comedy | 3/23/2010 |
| Q: well basically i just wanted to know if you find being a comedian is easy or can it have its ... A: Danny -- Thanks for an interesting question. My observation of various careers (my own as well as ... | |
| Copyrighting material | 3/23/2010 |
| Q: I was wondering can a comedian copyright his routines? I know how a comedian's act can change ... A: Mike -- Good question. Copyright is something that we've all heard about but I think most of us ... | |
| More funny | 3/12/2010 |
| Q: How do I naturally become more funnier? A: Carissa -- I apologize for the delay in my response and hope that you received the explanatory ... | |
| Where do I begin? | 2/19/2010 |
| Q: I am a 16-year-old who wants to become a comedienne. I believe that I have good material and have ... A: Liz -- It's great that you want to pursue your goal of performing. No doubt you have discovered ... | |
| How to deal with other comics? | 2/15/2010 |
| Q: I have recently ventured into the world of stand up comedy. I am an aspiring comic from the ... A: Thomas -- It sounds like you're thinking about this in a reasonable way. It's probably good to be ... | |
| my jokes | 2/12/2010 |
| Q: I've written several jokes, and I'm trying to take a stab at comedy for a living. The only problem ... A: Mike -- I've never really thought of this situation from the angle that you take in your question, ... | |
| How to deal with other comics? | 2/9/2010 |
| Q: I have recently ventured into the world of stand up comedy. I am an aspiring comic from the ... A: Thomas -- This is an interesting question. It sounds as if you clearly would like to make some ... | |
| Observation | 1/12/2010 |
| Q: I understand that many jokes are just made of unique observations. I noticed that Employees Only, ... A: Tommy -- It's definitely true that many jokes are based on unique observations made about everyday ... | |
| Is being a stand up comic worth doing | 12/24/2009 |
| Q: I'm 14 and i adore comedy. I am from England though i don't mind going to America when i am older. I ... A: Stephen -- Thanks for an interesting question. I think that, indirectly, this question is at the ... | |
| Controlling nerves | 12/18/2009 |
| Q: I'll try to keep this short. I write down a lot of funny material (sketches, stand-up), but I have ... A: Mark -- I think it's great that you are determined to give this a try despite your concerns that it ... | |
| comediands | 11/22/2009 |
| Q: should comedians laugh about their own jokes? thijs A: Thijs -- This is an interesting question. It's always nice to be excited about one's own work, and ... | |
| preparing for first open mic | 11/18/2009 |
| Q: I have been preparing for open mic for over a year now. I have a notebook filled with ideas, but ... A: Alex -- I apologize for the delay in my response. You pose an interesting set of questions. I doubt ... | |
| understatement | 11/9/2009 |
| Q: I would like to ask a question? How do you use understatements to get laughs in your comedy? A: Chris -- I'd say that understatements are generally a particular form of sarcasm, although it is ... | |
| sarcasm | 11/6/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| Why don’t some comedians laugh about their jokes? | 10/19/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| Joke Writing | 10/7/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| about writing and performing | 10/1/2009 |
| 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, ... | |
| more specifically about writing | 9/27/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| Joke Help | 8/12/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| Reworking Material & Your Audience | 7/28/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| Best time to start off | 7/18/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| comedic personna | 7/17/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| Multiple PERSONA-lity | 7/10/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| Capitol Steps | 6/22/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| Comedy | 5/24/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| what about 32 ? | 5/7/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| getting started in stand up | 3/18/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| getting started in stand up | 3/18/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| Getting 1st gig | 1/16/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| Comedy | 1/9/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| Preacher role | 12/2/2008 |
| 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 ... | |
| fun talk | 11/29/2008 |
| 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 ... | |
| funny orchestra conductor name | 11/15/2008 |
| 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 ... | |
| about joke writing | 8/25/2008 |
| 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 ... | |
| about joke writing | 8/24/2008 |
| 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 ... | |
| about joke writing | 8/22/2008 |
| 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. ... | |
| memory | 7/23/2008 |
| 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 ... | |
| comedy material | 6/27/2008 |
| 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 ... | |
| What should I do?? | 6/10/2008 |
| 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 ... | |
| Comedy/Stage Fright | 10/11/2007 |
| Q: hi the one thing i always wanted to do was be a comedian and my mum always tells me i should be a ... A: Sam -- Sorry for the delay in answering your question; the original e-mail must have gotten lost ... | |
| song title | 11/20/2006 |
| Q: i am looking for the song title and artist of a song that has in it (at the end and repeated several ... A: Grif -- This is a little out of my area of expertise, but I'll give it a shot. I searched ("every ... | |
| how to increase my sense of humor | 10/15/2006 |
| Q: Well i was going to ask my question but i just asked it in the question subject box. but here it is ... A: Corey -- You always make people laugh, and yet you want to be funnier? Your expectations are high! ... | |
| Stand Up at Pub | 10/12/2006 |
| Q: Hey Tom Its been a goal of mine since elementry school to do a stand up comedy routine. I went ... A: Monika -- My experience is somewhat different than yours, but I can identify with the situation of ... | |
| WW II Slap stick | 10/9/2006 |
| Q: No, my son is home schooled and does not attend public school. My question asks if my son would be ... A: Brison -- Thanks for the clarification. I'm still taking a guess about what you mean by "in trouble ... | |
| jokes and comedies | 10/6/2006 |
| Q: what are the qualities of good comedy? A: Huma -- This is an interesting question -- simple question, not so easy to answer, and probably ... | |
| name of Stand Up comedian | 5/25/2006 |
| Q: I can picture him but not his name. He would be in his 50's now. Not Farly or Nye. He's Jewish ... A: Joyce -- You sure provided a lot of details, but I'm afraid I don't recognize the picture you've ... | |
| under 21 clubs? | 5/10/2006 |
| Q: i really want to try doing an open mic night for the first time, probably in chicago because i live ... A: Sara -- This is a tough one because I'm not anywhere near Chicago and don't know any specifics for ... | |
| Hard to impress audiences | 3/20/2006 |
| Q: but the problem is i'm not a very spontaneous guy. Jokes don't just pop up in my mind, even if I ... A: Alex -- Sorry for the delay in my response. Apparently, I missed the notification of your question ... | |
| First time | 3/19/2006 |
| Q: I'm 14 years old and this year i'm going to finish 8th grade. In my country, at the end of the 8th ... A: Alex -- What a great question! I, too, am a funny guy but didn't know anything about stand-up ... | |
| comedian's identity | 3/18/2005 |
| Q: Do you know which comedian coined the phrase "Pastor of the Church of the What's Happening Now"? I ... A: Mary -- Well, I sure didn't know the answer to this myself, but I think I can point you to enough ... | |
| While Jimmy Carter was President,... | 2/21/2005 |
| Q: While Jimmy Carter was President, a record was made/sold making fun of his southern heritage as it ... A: Gene -- I've gotten a lot of questions about identifying such and such an album or comedian and I ... | |
| Sir i want to ask question... | 1/24/2005 |
| Q: Sir i want to ask question about humour's web sites. Please tell me the famous web site addresses ... A: Naveed -- One of my favorite sites is http://www.netfunny.com/rhf/ , but you can find many more by ... | |
| comedian's name | 12/25/2004 |
| Q: A problem with getting old is that you get mad at yourself for not being able to remember things. ... A: Mark -- Sorry for the delay in my response. I read the message and wanted to think about it to see ... | |
| Nimitz humor | 12/20/2004 |
| Q: Neither available expert in the Jokes & Comedians category seems particularly qualified for my ... A: Jim -- This is an interesting question, but I wasn't able to find anything promising in the ... | |
| where to buy | 10/21/2004 |
| Q: I heard the Capitol Steps on the radio a few months ago, and would love to know where I could ... A: Morgan -- Aren't they great? When you get your CD, I think you'll find not only that it's ... | |
| donuts and policeman | 9/13/2004 |
| Q: I always wondering why people always make jokes about the donuts and policeman? Where this come ... A: Victor -- This is a reference to an American standing joke (stereotype) that police officers spend ... | |
| Capitol Steps - Spoonerism based comedy | 7/4/2004 |
| Q: I've been asked to deliver a 3-5 minute monologue as part of a theatrical event to raise funds for ... A: Steve -- I can give you my summary "rules" for creating a good piece of this type; since you've got ... | |
| Capitol Steps | 4/26/2004 |
| Q: I saw this terrific group of talented folks perform at a political dinner in Harrisburg last year. ... A: Judith -- Aren't they great? I think it's fascinating to see how they can poke fun at everybody ... | |
| popular poem | 4/17/2004 |
| Q: I am looking for a popular poem which begins like this:Show me the way to go home,I'm tiered and I ... A: Jesse -- The information you seek appears to be pretty easily available on the Internet. I'll ... | |
| The McIntyres? | 3/23/2004 |
| Q: Have you ever heard of The McIntyres? Are they comedians or singers? Thanks! A: Aesculapius -- No, I haven't heard of them. I did a little Web searching with the information you ... | |
| identify a comedian | 3/1/2004 |
| Q: I can't remember his name but I saw him on HBO, I think. It was mid-90's and his act was real ... A: Leslie -- I'm afraid I just don't recognize this guy. It sounds as if you're giving a good ... | |
| 35th birthday ideas | 2/25/2004 |
| Q: My husband is turning 35 this year and I want to throw him a surprise party, but I need help with ... A: Sally -- This sounds like a clever idea and, especially in an election year, it should offer lots ... | |
| president bush | 11/19/2003 |
| Q: i heard that in the uk president bush is often ironically referred to as "dubya". i read u have ... A: Mary Jane -- I've thought this over and I'm not sure that I can really put my finger on the answer. ... | |
| George "Dubya" Bush | 5/22/2003 |
| Q: I'm almost embarrassed to ask...forgive my ignorance (but I am British!) but what are the origins of ... A: Lively -- To answer yourIt's his middle initial, "W". It's significant because when he first came ... | |
| Skit material | 5/11/2003 |
| Q: I have read or heard 100's jokes from the net, or in library books, and they are either stale, or ... A: Larry -- This sounds like an interesting project -- and you're actually getting started far enough ... | |
| President Bush | 5/2/2003 |
| Q: What is the funniest joke you've ever heard about President Bush and/or his administration? A: Reg -- Well, there have been many funny jokes. I can tell you the one that's my recent favorite, ... | |
| Christian comedy writing | 8/21/2002 |
| Q: Can you offer me some tips on writing Christian comedy and poetry. Very truly, Ivan A: Ivan -- This isn't something that I have direct knowledge about, but my experience learning to ... | |
| Performances | 7/13/2002 |
| Q: How can I get to a Capitol Steps performance? I went years ago and have never laughed so hard in my ... A: Deena -- There's a lot of information at http://www.capsteps.com, the Steps' official website. They ... | |
| political satire comedians | 2/28/2002 |
| Q: Do you know of any Washington DC based comedians that would be able to perform a 30 minute set for a ... A: Ryan -- I hope your March conference worked out OK. I came across info about farm comedian Mylo ... | |
Tom
Top Expert on this page
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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