Sunday, September 9, 2012

How To Avoid Joke Explanation

By Kerri Turner


Being a comedian is a very stressful job as you are expected to deliver every time. If you can get it right then it can become one of the most fulfilling jobs in the world, as you will make people laugh on a regular basis. However, if you are not successful and regularly have to suffer joke explanation then it can be quite a heart-breaking job.

There are many benefits of jokes. Laughter is the main side-effect, but they are also very effective at making people think differently about topical and controversial subjects. You don't have to be a stand-up comedian to use jokes and many people find that they are a great ice-breaker or method for building rapport.

Friends are an excellent opportunity for a practice audience. Use them to try the jokes that might cross the line on. Sometimes it is difficult to know if you have crossed a line, so ask someone who you trust and who is not afraid to be honest. It can be quite detrimental to your reputation if you try a joke out on the wrong person.

If you use comedy at work and with different clients then it is very important to be careful with your choice of material. Some people can be very sensitive and it is difficult to know how they will react unless you know them very well. Avoid controversial subjects and try to remain professional at all times, even if you are telling a joke.

Some stand-ups are very good at making controversial jokes and getting away with them. However, individuals joking with friends or at work can not always get away with so much. It is important to be sensitive to the people around you. Making a joke out of a sensitive subject can be highly detrimental to a relationship.

There are some situations where joke-telling is not appropriate. Some people have a natural talent for knowing when not to make jokes, but others are surprisingly bad at it. If emotions are raw and the situation is a little awkward then in general it is probably a bad time to make a joke. Use your initiative and avoid it if you are sure.

The obvious trick to comedy is not having to explain anything. As soon as someone shows a confused face you know you have failed. The more complicated the joke is, the more likely the audience are to get confused. However, if the comedy is too simplistic then it might lack that comedic value. Comedy is a talent that not everyone possesses.

If you think that you are funny, but aren't 100% sure then ask your friends for their honest opinion. In some cases they will be laughing along at your jokes so as to not hurt your feelings. In other cases it is more a case of the person being funny, than the jokes. Not everyone will laugh at every joke and it is a very subjective business. The main thing to avoid is joke explanation and then you know you have made it as a comedian.




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