A couple of tips ago, I quoted several comedians to illustrate how ‘camera angles’ and vocabulary go hand-in-hand to shape memorable thoughts. One of them was Steven Wright. Here are just a few more examples of his brilliance:
- “I remember when the Candle Shop burned down. Everybody stood around singing ‘Happy Birthday.'”
- “If at first you don’t succeed… then skydiving definitely isn’t for you.”
- “Sponges grow in the ocean. This bothers me. How deep would it be if they didn’t?”
- “It doesn’t matter what temperature the room is. It’s always room temperature.”
- “My friend has a baby. I’m writing down all the noises the baby makes, so later I can ask him what he meant.”
- “I put instant coffee in a microwave oven and almost went back in time.”
- “What’s another word for thesaurus?”
While it seems like funny thoughts just flow out of him like water, here’s what he says about his process: “For every four jokes I write, one is good enough to stay (in the act).”
So here are some questions for you:
- Do you write four punch lines for every one you use? If not, why not?
- Are you funnier than Steven Wright? (I know I’m not. Chances are you’re not, either.)
- Is it because you’re lazy? Or is it because you think “That’s good enough”?
- Because “good enough”… never is.
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Tommy Kramer
Talent Coach
214-632-3090 (iPhone)
e-mail: coachtommykramer@gmail.com
Member, Texas Radio Hall of Fame
© 2016 by Tommy Kramer. All rights reserved.