Writing Humor

(comic by Nicholas Gurewitch)

I often find myself sitting alone in my room brooding. I seethe and smoulder in solemnity and solitude, and write (often employing the use of literary techniques such as alliteration). All this brooding I'm doing doesn't come from the fact I've been wronged, spurned or even (dare I say it) gypped. Though social ills and political theatre can get under my skin, neither is it these that are my cause for brooding.

Writing Humor

Lesson 1: Brood for brooding's own sake

It is said that diamonds are forged in the harshest conditions. That's because they are. In much the same way, the most solid comedic elements of our society come from the most troubled minds. This is why many of your favorite comedians use cocaine and kill themselves and stuff. Taking this in mind, self-indulgent brooding is a fertile ground for effective humor. Ideal conditions include the following:

a. Separate yourself from others. (This is easiest to do when feeling sorry for yourself)
b. Turn your living quarters into an absolute wreck. (Try never folding clothes, and instead of emptying the trash, just buy more trash cans)
c. Make sure your shower is filthy, thereby removing the incentive to use it

Lesson 2: Build up a list of "influences"

Every successful humorist has "influences". These are basically writers, comedians and humorists who came before and shaped how you think about comedy and what is funny. In the past, influences could've have just been men (or in rare cases, women) who perhaps helped you to think in a certain way to come up with your own jokes and unique brand of humor. However, modern humor is a completely different game. Pretty much all of the good jokes have been told and there no such thing as "original" or "innovative" comedy any more. Shows like Saturday Night Live are merely the withered remnants of a bygone age of comedy. Legends like Robin Williams and Billy Crystal (their comedic thought fried by decades of coke abuse) are left to hand out meaningless awards and star in "movies" like RV and Flubber. 

So what use are "influences"? Influences are now great ways to "create" comedy through a process of cut & paste. Using comedic elements like puzzle pieces and jokes like glitter, you can turn your comedy into an ugly puzzle with glitter glued to it. I know it sounds bad, but the point is that no one will know the difference! Because not everyone is as clever as I am, I know that some won't understand this analogy. Basically, it can be summed up in two words: STEAL JOKES.

Lesson 3: Societal stereotypes are your ticket to Laughter City

Yes, Laughter City. I would have used "Laughter Town", but I didn't think it expressed the importance of this lesson well enough. And "Laughter Metropolis" would have been a bit overkill if you ask me. 

If there's one thing we're all taught to laugh at from an early age, it's stereotypes. From sex to race to religious background, stereotypes bring everyone together. Sure we talk about individualism and defining each other separate from larger collectives, but it's usually followed by a wink and a nudge. I remember when my mother used to tell me not to judge others by their sex or race. But she always said it with this whiny tone in her voice; (typical woman).

The power of this tool is evident in such shows as "The Carlos Mencia Show". This show proves that even the most low-functioning members of society can procure lucrative television contracts by sticking to the faithful principles of generalization and stereotyping. 

Lesson 4: Know when to end