How to Be Funny
Whether you’re a writer, teacher, politician or mortician, this three-part series will help you be wittier — or I’ll refund every penny you’ve paid!
My first career was about funny. I spent 13+ years in sketch comedy (Isaac Air Freight, Mitch & Allen, National Lampoon Players). But even after 22 albums and 7 videos, I had no concrete theories about why funny was funny. Comedians start by doing “research” as class clowns. And by the time they’re adults, they’ve developed a sophisticated but unconscious expertise. But when asked how to be funny, they give weird, subjective answers like, “Use the word ‘weasel’ a lot.”
So, when I started teaching writing and public speaking, and students began asking how to “funny up” their material, I decided to do some research. (Always make a point of learning a subject after you’ve been hired to teach it). And now “for less than the cost of a pack of cigarettes a day” you can reap the benefits of my research! And not die of cancer.
Why funny matters: “I don’t get no respect!” is humor’s motto. Humor has never gotten the respect it deserves. The ancient Greeks created huge festivals to stage tragic dramas, slipping short comedies in between them as “comedy relief.” We tend to see drama as “real life, ” but humor as mere escape, and therefore less important (83% of the Academy Awards go to dramas). But humor isn’t simply escape, it’s an escape valve, a way of coping. Psychologists say those who laugh live longer. So does a much older source of wisdom: “A merry heart is good medicine” (Proverbs 17:22).
So what makes funny funny, and how does it help us cope? In a word: truth. Yes, good drama rings true, but so does good comedy. How? By tweaking truth’s nose. For example:
- In a drama, a distraught woman tries and fails to get her lipstick right, hating the face she sees in the mirror. She takes out a bottle of pills… “No!” we shout, recognizing her shattered sense of self. We pray she’ll find a way out, because as readers or watchers we’re taking the journey with her (dramatic catharsis).
- In a comedy, the distraught woman puts on her lipstick–and gets it perfect! But then, as she’s leaving, we realize she has actually applied her lipstick to the mirror! Absurd? Yes. Pointless? No. It’s a metaphor for how we let superficial things steal our identity. We take a step back and laugh–at her and at ourselves (comedic catharsis).
Yeah, yeah, so much for theory, Professor Teemley, but what about How to be Funny? We’ll talk about that tomorrow in Part Two. Class dismissed.
Don’t slip on the banana peel on your way out.
To read the next How to be Funny post, click here.
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Where’s my refund? 🤭 Can’t wait for part two!
;>)
“No. It’s a metaphor for how we let superficial things steal our identity. We take a step back and laugh–at her and at ourselves (comedic catharsis).”
Great ! Can’t wait to hear more
Glad you enjoyed part one, Kerri!
I watched an old Buster Keaton movie the other day and realized i have never seen anybody slip on a banana peel.
Ah, the Great Stoneface himself. The perfect person to demonstrate it, Mark.
Comedic timing is important!
It is indeed.
Humor is the only way I kept my high school students interested in God. Hugs, C
Hugs back, Cheryl.
I just happened upon some signed senior class pictures from high school. Written on the back of several was some version of “You made civics class fun!” and “Civics class would’ve been so boring without you,” and “Thanks for helping me get through civics class.” And I wasn’t the teacher! 🙂
;>)
I adore this post dear! It’s important despite our difficulties to continue to laugh and be funny. We always have this conversation with my husband that without humour we couldn’t last long in this life. Thank you for this marvellous post you really made me smile 😁
My pleasure, Afrodite.
It really adds more depth to life and even a reason to keep the disease at bay.
<3
It is tricky. People tell me I am funny but I think I am snarky. Maybe that is funny spelled poorly. Oh well…
I’ve been a widow for a long time now and the thing I miss most about my late husband Gary is how he made me laugh. Sometimes you can take laughter for granted. It is important! I’m expecting some good tips!!!!🤣
So sorry about your loss, Wenda. I’ll do my best!
Like Mark, I have never seen anyone slip on a banana peel. But I did slip on my mother’s kitchen floor and went flying after she had sprayed the oven with something that was supposed to make it so stuff wouldn’t stick to it. It must have spread over the whole area of the floor, and that was funny. Fortunately I didn’t hurt myself. I felt it on my bottom at the time, and my hands slapped down pretty hard, but nothing worse. I also once stepped backwards off the platform at church. That made me laugh for months after, every time I thought about it, no matter where I was. I didn’t live it down for some time. 🙂
;>)
Hi. Off the top of my head, I’d say that Martin Short is the funniest person around today. Have you seen his character Jiminy Glick? — hilarious.
;>)
What do those symbols mean?
Seriously? Or are you teasing? Winky face.
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No matter what we’re dealing with in life, humor makes things better!
Exactly, Ann!
Great post, Mitch! Humor and laughter connect us, diffuse tense situations, and let us see that we are more alike than different. We can laugh together. 😄
Amen, Peggy.
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I like that about applying lipstick on the mirror. I hope I don’t come to this stage!
;>)
Yes, yes, yes!!!
<3
There is too much sadness in the world. Some things are so grievous, we must either laugh or cry. Laughing is better for the soul.
We need to laugh these days!
Excellent pointers
Thanks!
Weasel, weasel, weasel! Now I’m a comedian! Thanks, man!