Comments on: “Stealing Jokes” – My Thoughts http://www.bigbencomedy.com/blog/archives/stealing-jokes-my-thoughts/ Blogging from the Stand Up Trenches Wed, 14 Jul 2010 23:26:48 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Ben http://www.bigbencomedy.com/blog/archives/stealing-jokes-my-thoughts/comment-page-1/#comment-767 Ben Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:50:41 +0000 http://www.bigbencomedy.com/blog/?p=1617#comment-767 Nice zinger, and it's a close call -- it depends on how you count it and when Conan's last show will be. I was in the program for 6 miserable weeks before dropping out but I legitimately spent the summer learning math. I went through a Calculus book, a stat book and a linear algebra book - I'm not sure if the NBC execs did that much analysis before axing Conan... Nice zinger, and it’s a close call — it depends on how you count it and when Conan’s last show will be.

I was in the program for 6 miserable weeks before dropping out but I legitimately spent the summer learning math. I went through a Calculus book, a stat book and a linear algebra book – I’m not sure if the NBC execs did that much analysis before axing Conan…

]]> By: Boris http://www.bigbencomedy.com/blog/archives/stealing-jokes-my-thoughts/comment-page-1/#comment-766 Boris Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:35:06 +0000 http://www.bigbencomedy.com/blog/?p=1617#comment-766 True...by the way, what lasted longer: your PhD program or Conan's hosting the Tonight Show? True…by the way, what lasted longer: your PhD program or Conan’s hosting the Tonight Show?

]]> By: Ben http://www.bigbencomedy.com/blog/archives/stealing-jokes-my-thoughts/comment-page-1/#comment-765 Ben Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:29:08 +0000 http://www.bigbencomedy.com/blog/?p=1617#comment-765 You'd also have more street cred with the more Russian sounding name of "Boris." However, knowing you in real life, there's no way an audience would believe you got into a PhD program :) You’d also have more street cred with the more Russian sounding name of “Boris.”

However, knowing you in real life, there’s no way an audience would believe you got into a PhD program :)

]]> By: Boris http://www.bigbencomedy.com/blog/archives/stealing-jokes-my-thoughts/comment-page-1/#comment-764 Boris Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:21:04 +0000 http://www.bigbencomedy.com/blog/?p=1617#comment-764 I can steal the hell out of your Russian family material. Thanks for the idea! I can steal the hell out of your Russian family material. Thanks for the idea!

]]> By: Ben http://www.bigbencomedy.com/blog/archives/stealing-jokes-my-thoughts/comment-page-1/#comment-763 Ben Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:58:37 +0000 http://www.bigbencomedy.com/blog/?p=1617#comment-763 Hey Jay, I agree that a strong point of view makes any topic easier and more interesting to write about. I find it easier to develop a point of view when doing personal material. I'd think this would apply to most newer comics, figure out what's important and funny about yourself first, see what kind of persona or viewpoint that creates, then write every other topic you address from that view point. If you look at Carlin's body of work you'll notice he first focused on himself for years, and only later did he move on to politics and the like. Cheers, Ben Hey Jay,

I agree that a strong point of view makes any topic easier and more interesting to write about.

I find it easier to develop a point of view when doing personal material. I’d think this would apply to most newer comics, figure out what’s important and funny about yourself first, see what kind of persona or viewpoint that creates, then write every other topic you address from that view point.

If you look at Carlin’s body of work you’ll notice he first focused on himself for years, and only later did he move on to politics and the like.

Cheers,
Ben

]]> By: Jay http://www.bigbencomedy.com/blog/archives/stealing-jokes-my-thoughts/comment-page-1/#comment-760 Jay Mon, 11 Jan 2010 20:19:02 +0000 http://www.bigbencomedy.com/blog/?p=1617#comment-760 You make excellent points, I agree with almost everything you said here. What fun is talking about that though? So instead, I'll add in my halfway off topic tangent: "Hint: It usually involves pain. A comic, I forget who once told me, “comedy = pain + time” and “until you’re at George Carlin’s level, nobody gives a shit about your political opinion.” I agree: focus on your unique life situation and figuring it out how to get the audience to connect with it." People don't care any more about Carlin's opinion on politics than anyone else's. The thing with politics jokes is they should STILL focus on your unique life and situation just like you suggest on the other material. It's all about POINT OF VIEW, having a strong one, that's interesting enough for others to listen to. Carlin's was the best, so he could cover politics, as well as any other issue under the sun (his god) ... and every damn second was compelling. What I'm trying to say is, great post :) You make excellent points, I agree with almost everything you said here. What fun is talking about that though? So instead, I’ll add in my halfway off topic tangent:

“Hint: It usually involves pain. A comic, I forget who once told me, “comedy = pain + time” and “until you’re at George Carlin’s level, nobody gives a shit about your political opinion.” I agree: focus on your unique life situation and figuring it out how to get the audience to connect with it.”

People don’t care any more about Carlin’s opinion on politics than anyone else’s. The thing with politics jokes is they should STILL focus on your unique life and situation just like you suggest on the other material.

It’s all about POINT OF VIEW, having a strong one, that’s interesting enough for others to listen to. Carlin’s was the best, so he could cover politics, as well as any other issue under the sun (his god) … and every damn second was compelling.

What I’m trying to say is, great post :)

]]>