Anyone can learn the basics of comedy writing and hone their skills through practice. Comedy is a universal language that brings joy and laughter to people of all ages. While some possess a natural flair for humor, anyone can learn the basics of comedy writing and hone their skills through practice. This comprehensive guide will explore various techniques, categories, and tips for writing effective comedy sketches, gags, and jokes. Whether you’re an aspiring comedy writer or a seasoned professional, this guide will provide valuable insights to help you create hilarious content.
Quickies and Sketches: The Building Blocks of Comedy
Understanding Quickies
Quickies are short comedic pieces that lead to a single punchline, often relying on a quick setup and a surprising twist. They are usually brief, delivering a joke with minimal dialogue or action. For instance, a classic quickie from the BBC sketch show “Big Train” features a monk who, while walking in a garden, touches a statue of a naked woman, only to trigger an alarm.
Crafting Effective Sketches
Sketches are longer comedic pieces that build humor through a series of actions or dialogues, culminating in a punchline. A famous example is Monty Python’s ‘Restaurant Sketch,’ where a dirty fork leads to a series of exaggerated reactions from the restaurant staff, ending in a chaotic and unexpected finale. The humor here is derived from the exaggerated overreaction to a trivial issue.
Comedy Categories: Exploring Different Styles
Red Herrings
Red herrings mislead the audience into expecting one outcome, only to reveal a completely different situation. An example from “Big Train” involves a woman who appears to be a forensic pathologist but is actually a beautician applying blusher to an over-tanned customer.
Reversals
Reversals involve characters or situations behaving contrary to expectations. In “Father Ted,” priests are portrayed as foolish, dishonest, or inebriated, which contrasts with the expected behavior of clergy. Similarly, “Absolutely Fabulous” features a mother who acts like a teenager and a daughter who behaves like a responsible adult.
Switches
Switches place characters or objects in unlikely situations. For example, in “Goodness Gracious Me,” a Hindu man treats a cow as a pet, highlighting the absurdity of keeping a cow in a suburban home.
Exaggeration
Exaggeration takes situations to extreme levels for comedic effect. In the “Restaurant Sketch,” the staff’s extreme reactions to a dirty fork exemplify this technique. Another example is a sketch where a minuscule stereo system has an impractically large remote control.
Generating Comedy Ideas: A Creative Process
Applying Techniques to Everyday Situations
To develop comedy ideas, apply techniques like reversals, switches, and exaggerations to ordinary scenarios. For instance, imagine a bank that desperately wants to give away contaminated money or a bank run by an Apache chief.
Asking the Right Questions
When developing a comedic scenario, ask questions like:
- How can a reversal be applied?
- What unlikely characters could be involved?
- How can the situation be exaggerated?
- What misleading setup can lead to a red herring?
Tips for Writing Comedy Sketches
Tailoring Material to the Audience
Ensure your material suits the audience of the show you’re writing for. Research past content to understand the tone and style.
Minimizing Dialogue
Keep dialogue concise. Every word should serve a purpose, and unnecessary words should be eliminated.
Focusing on Visual Humor
Incorporate visual elements to enhance the humor. Show, don’t just tell. Visual gags often have a stronger impact than dialogue alone.
Avoiding Clichés
Steer clear of overused characters and scenarios. Fresh, original ideas are more likely to resonate with audiences.
Crafting Gags and Jokes
Structure of a Gag
Most gags consist of a factual statement followed by a punchline that twists the meaning or conjures a funny image. For example, Groucho Marx’s famous line: “One morning I shot an elephant in my pyjamas. How he got in my pyjamas I’ll never know.”
Examples of ‘Yo Mama’ Jokes
‘Yo Mama’ jokes rely on exaggerated, often absurd comparisons:
- Yo mama’s so hairy, Big Foot took pictures of her.
- Yo mama’s so fat, she sat next to everyone in the movie theater.
Developing Punchlines
To practice writing gags, brainstorm punchlines for setups like:
- Their house is so cold…
- My friend is so lazy…
- Her dog is so stupid…
- His cooking is so bad…
Developing Gag-Writing Skills
Brainstorming Techniques
Make lists related to your topic, including people, places, objects, occasions, and phrases. Then, list opposites to generate unique connections and unexpected punchlines.
Examples of Brainstorming for Bad Cooking
- People: Chef, Waiter, Gordon Ramsay
- Places: Kitchen, Restaurant, Market
- Objects: Pots, Pans, Spices
- Occasions: Barbecue, Dinner, Breakfast
- Phrases: Michelin stars, Greasy spoon cafe
Opposites for Humor
- Who: Dieters, Health inspectors
- Where: Health spa, Empty store
- What: Empty fridge, Broken can-opener
- When: Lent, Famine
- Phrases: Starving, Raw, Tasteless
Tips for Writing Gags and Jokes
Be Brief
Keep jokes short and to the point. Brevity enhances the impact.
Allow Time for Reflection
After brainstorming, revisit your list the next day. Fresh perspectives can improve your material.
Avoid Direct Comparisons
Approach the subject matter sideways for a funnier effect. Indirect comparisons often yield more creative and humorous results.
Keep a Comedy Notebook
Jot down ideas, funny observations, and double meanings. Use these notes for inspiration when writing gags and jokes.
Explore Multiple Meanings
Playing with different interpretations of words can lead to great gags. For example:
- Reservation: Indian/Restaurant/Doubt/Shyness
- Fire: Flame/Sack/Shoot
- Swing: Toy/Music/Sex/Politics
Becoming a Comedy Writer
Speculative vs. Commissioned Writing
Comedy writing can be speculative (submitting material in hopes of it being used) or commissioned (writing a specific amount of material for a show). Most writers start as spec writers and move to commissioned work if successful.
Approaching Production Teams
Contact the script editor of a show to submit material. Script editors manage submissions and often have a background in comedy writing.
Finding Comedy Shows
Established Shows
For established shows, contact the production company to inquire about upcoming series and submission guidelines.
New Shows
Discovering new shows can be challenging. Stay informed through industry periodicals like “The Stage,” “Broadcast,” and “Televisual,” which often feature news about new comedy projects.
Online Resources
Comedy forums, social media, and websites like the British Comedy Guide can provide leads on new and ongoing shows seeking material.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Comedy Writing
1. What is the difference between a quickie and a sketch in comedy writing?
Quickie: A quickie is a short comedic piece that leads to a single punchline, often using minimal dialogue or action. It’s designed to deliver a quick laugh with a simple setup and an unexpected twist.
Sketch: A sketch is a longer comedic piece that builds humor through a series of actions or dialogues, usually culminating in a punchline. Sketches often explore a specific situation in more depth compared to quickies.
2. What are the main categories of comedy?
Red Herrings: These mislead the audience into expecting one outcome, only to reveal a completely different situation.
Reversals: Characters or situations behave contrary to expectations.
Switches: Characters or objects are placed in unlikely or absurd situations.
Exaggeration: Situations are taken to extreme levels for comedic effect.
3. How can I come up with comedy ideas?
Start by applying techniques like reversals, switches, and exaggerations to everyday scenarios. Ask yourself questions about how these techniques can be applied to ordinary situations and brainstorm possible humorous outcomes.
4. What are some tips for writing effective comedy sketches?
- Tailor your material to the audience: Research past content to understand the tone and style of the show you’re writing for.
- Minimize dialogue: Keep it concise and ensure every word serves a purpose.
- Incorporate visual humor: Use visual elements to enhance the comedic effect.
- Avoid clichés: Steer clear of overused characters and scenarios.
5. How do I structure a gag?
Most gags consist of a factual statement followed by a punchline that either twists the meaning or conjures up a funny image. A good example is Groucho Marx’s famous line: “One morning I shot an elephant in my pyjamas. How he got in my pyjamas I’ll never know.”
6. How can I improve my gag-writing skills?
Practice regularly by brainstorming punchlines for various setups. Create lists of related words and their opposites to inspire unique and unexpected connections. Review and refine your gags over time.
7. What should I include in a comedy notebook?
Keep track of:
- Notorious celebrities
- Dumb advertisements
- Movies and politicians
- Current events
- Odd street signs
- Strange newspaper headlines Use these notes to inspire new jokes and gags.
8. What is the difference between speculative and commissioned comedy writing?
Speculative writing: Writers submit material to a show in hopes of it being used, and they get paid if any is used.
Commissioned writing: Writers are paid to create a specific amount of material for a show. Most writers start with speculative submissions and move to commissioned work if successful.
9. How can I find comedy shows to write for?
- Established shows: Contact production companies to inquire about upcoming series and submission guidelines.
- New shows: Stay informed through industry periodicals and online resources like comedy forums and social media.
10. What should I do if I want to write for a specific comedy show?
Contact the show’s production company or script editor to ask if they accept speculative material. If they do, request their guidelines and tailor your submissions accordingly.
11. How important is visual humor in comedy writing?
Visual humor is crucial as it enhances the comedic effect and often delivers a stronger impact than dialogue alone. Incorporate visual elements whenever possible to create a more engaging and entertaining piece.
12. How can I avoid clichés in my comedy writing?
Avoid using well-worn characters and scenarios that have been done many times before. Focus on creating fresh, original ideas that offer a new perspective or twist on familiar situations.
13. What role do multiple meanings play in comedy writing?
Playing with multiple meanings of words can lead to great gags. Look for double-meanings and create jokes that twist the usual interpretation, like the classic Groucho Marx elephant joke or Tim Vine’s gym joke.
14. How do I contact production companies or script editors for comedy shows?
Research the contact information for the production company or script editor of the show you’re interested in. Send a short, polite email inquiring about submission guidelines and expressing your interest in writing for the show.
15. What online resources can help me find new comedy shows?
Comedy forums, social media, and websites like the British Comedy Guide are excellent resources for discovering new and ongoing shows seeking material. Keep an eye on these platforms for updates and opportunities.
Conclusion
Writing comedy is a skill that can be developed with practice and dedication. By understanding the various techniques, categories, and tips outlined in this guide, you can improve your ability to craft hilarious sketches, gags, and jokes. Remember to keep your material concise, original, and tailored to your audience. With persistence and creativity, you can master the art of comedy writing and bring laughter to countless audiences.
