February 13, 2011
How A Comedian Tells A Story
Although a good comedian knows a lot of ways to get a laugh, it’s storytelling that really defines a comic, or an entertaining speech maker. Witty one-liners and misdirections can seem like gold at first but the trouble is that anyone can do them. They’re good for padding a routine or warming up the crowd but they won’t define you as a comedian.
All successful comedians work with stories. There are really very few routines that do without them, and only people like Steven Wright (master of the one liner, can get away without needing them. There are many stories you can tell. Your story can be based in fact or fiction. Your audience probably won’t care. People who see comedy shows are just there for a laugh…or to heckle you, but generally they want to be entertained.
The best stories are relatable. Unless you’re talking to a niche audience, keep your stories accessible to the general public and intelligence level. For example, you could talk about cars. . Most people own a car and have been driven up the wall by their various idiosyncrasies. A story about cars can establish a connection with the audience. Once they’re interested, you can get to the funny bits.
After you’ve come up with something to talk about, you’ll want to find the humour in it. What about your story will make people laugh? . You never know for sure what will push the right buttons. One way or another, even the best comedians have had the occasional bad night and died on stage. If you want to make your story compelling, add conflict. Ideally, the conflict will be relatable. However it might not need to be as long as you have connected with the audience. You could talk about a driving exam you took. What’s funny about that? Perhaps there was a funny instructor administrating the test - a man who maybe could hardly fit in your seat, or who tripped and concussed himself trying to get into your car? Another story could be about a lemon vehicle you almost bought before a car ownership check warned you off - maybe the previous owner was a murderer and you wondered what those stains were in the boot. It could be a matter as simple as having been stuck in traffic after picking up a hitch-hiker who then propositioned you. Maybe your neighbour in the adjacent lane had not noticed you could see him picking his nose.
Comedy is an art and as such has no real rules as much as it does guidelines. Nevertheless a story is key to almost any great comic’s routine. You’ll be more fun to talk to even if you don’t wind up the world’s next great comedian.
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