“A good joke idea is raw potential and can be used in an almost unlimited number of contexts” (Sankey). Jokes can be used in stand-up comedy, commercials, cartoons, radio shows, a humor column in a newspaper/blog, TV sitcoms, etc. Jokes are the heart of comedy writing.
What is a joke?
- A funny story.
- Typically has two parts, the setup and then the punchline.
- May have an additional part, a tag, which is an additional funny line that follows the punchline.
The Setup:
- Sometimes called a premise.
- “A set-up is the information the comic gives to the crowd to establish an initial subject, context and perspective.”
- Compare this to the Setup in a 3 act film.
- Henny Youngman’s old joke
- The setup: “Women are crazy today.”
The Punchline:
- “the final information the comic gives to the crowd; it alters the meaning of already given information in a surprising fashion.”
- Compare punchlines to plot points.
- Henny Youngman’s old joke
- The punchline: “Take my wife………please”
Do you spot the setups and punchlines in the following Bud Light commercials? Spot the tags in some? Don't need to watch them all, just a few will do. Watch responsibly.
Bud Light commercials deserve some ideological criticism?
Now, let's take a look at the joke structure in a situation comedy. Just check out the first minute or so. How many jokes in the first minute? Wonder how many jokes in a typical sitcom? Could you write for a sitcom? Can you write a joke?
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