Get funnier in 36 short lessons

1. The writers' roomJoke mechanicsHow a laugh is built: setup, turn, punch, tags, callbacks and timing.

   1Stop telling jokes. Start playing.The mindset shift that does 80% of the workFree6 min
2. 2Setup and punchline: the two-part engineEvery joke is a little lie you tell, then reveal🔒6 min
3. 3Specifics are funnyWhy “a dog” is boring and “a 25-pound beagle named Gerald” isn't🔒6 min
4. 4Misdirection: lead them, then swervePoint everyone's attention one way, land somewhere else🔒6 min
5. 5The rule of threeTwo to build the pattern, one to break it🔒5 min
6. 6Callbacks: the easiest laugh in any roomBring back an earlier moment and it lands every time🔒6 min
7. 7Exaggeration: make it bigger than lifeTake something true and blow it up to cartoon size🔒5 min
8. 8The funny comparison“It's like…” is the most useful two-word setup in comedy🔒5 min
9. 9Tags: more laughs from the same setupPros never leave a setup after one laugh🔒5 min
10. 10Act-outs: show, don't tellGive a character one line in their own voice🔒6 min
11. 11Timing and the pauseSilence is part of the joke🔒5 min
12. 12Deadpan and understatementSay the ridiculous thing like it's a weather report🔒5 min

13. The improv stageImprov movesPlaying with people in real time: yes-and, heightening, status and commitment.

    13Yes, And: the rule that saves dead conversationsAccept the offer, then add one thing🔒6 min
14. 14Heightening: one step further, then anotherSmall → bigger → absurd, in clear steps🔒6 min
15. 15Find the gameSpot the one funny pattern and play it🔒6 min
16. 16Status playRaise yourself, lower yourself, and play with the gap🔒6 min
17. 17Total commitmentSay the absurd thing like you'd defend it in court🔒5 min
18. 18Be the straight manThe reasonable person in an unreasonable moment🔒5 min
19. 19Say the quiet part out loudHonesty is the most underrated joke there is🔒5 min
20. 20Crowd work: curiosity is the jokeHow comics riff with strangers, and how you can too🔒6 min

21. The green roomConversation movesThe moves you'll use at dinner: teasing, self-roasts, stories, saves and toasts.

    21The playful teaseHow to roast someone and make them like you more🔒7 min
22. 22Roast yourself, not your self-esteemSelf-deprecation that reads as confidence🔒6 min
23. 23The comebackWhen someone teases you, play back, don't fight back🔒6 min
24. 24The 60-second storyOne true story, told well, beats ten one-liners🔒7 min
25. 25Observational humorPoint at the thing everyone's noticed but nobody's said🔒6 min
26. 26The save: when a joke bombsHow to turn silence into the biggest laugh of the night🔒5 min
27. 27Roast the situation, not the peopleThe safest target in any room is the room🔒5 min
28. 28The toast: funny, short, and then sincereRoast lightly, land warmly, sit down🔒7 min

29. After hoursThe lineReading people, punching up, who you can tease, and what to do when you cross it.

    29Reading the room (+ a pre-game checklist)When to be funny, when to stop, and what the signals look like🔒7 min
30. 30Punch up, not downWho's the target, and how much power do they have?🔒6 min
31. 31The tease ladder: who you can tease, and whenTeasing permission is earned, one rung at a time🔒7 min
32. 32Dancing on the lineWhy edgy jokes work, and when they don't🔒7 min
33. 33Is everyone in on the joke?Spotting the signals that someone's laughing with you, not at you🔒6 min
34. 34What moves the lineDrinks, rank, culture, time and the medium all change what's okay🔒7 min
35. 35When you cross the lineThe clean apology: name it, own it, move on🔒6 min
36. 36Dark humor: handle with careWhy it kills on stage and often dies at dinner🔒6 min

Close strong. Tip your server.