The Funny Muscle Podcast

Bait and Switch, Cut Forward To, Funny Specifics (Deep Dive into Humor Heightening)

In the previous episode Mike threw a bunch of humor heightening devices at Chris’s Plane PDA bit to show how to transform a 20 second joke into a 2-3 minute bit, but they never gave a full explanation of each heightening device. In this episode, Mike (@mlukas1111) and Chris (@econ_comic) take a deep dive into 3 specific heightening devices (bait and switch, cut forward to, and funny specifics) while dissecting a bit by Wanda Sykes and by pointing out the humor devices in the writing of David Sedaris. 

How to Heighten Your Bits

Mike sees it all the time at open mics: a new comic does a good bit but leaves it under-developed.  That 20 second joke could turn into 3 great minutes of material if the open mic-er would learn to use what Mike has dubbed the “humor heightening devices.”  In this episode, Chris (@econ_comic) brings a fresh joke idea to Mike (@mlukas1111) who then runs it through the humor heightening devices to produce more and more material.  We see techniques like anthropomorphizing, extension, exaggeration, different perspectives and bait and switch. This episode will give you a hands-on look at the humor heightening devices in action. 

The Humor Blueprint

Misdirection is at the heart of getting laughs. That’s one piece of advice often overlooked by fledgling comics.  In this episode, Mike (@mlukas1111) teaches how comics can use misdirection to their advantage. He does so with a tool/template he’s dubbed the Humor Blueprint. Mike teaches the Humor Blueprint, then Chris (@econ_comic) runs some famous bits through the Blueprint as practice.

The Comedy Lens

Why is understanding your Comedy Lens a critical first step to learning how to do standup comedy? What’s your unique take? What’s your persona?  The comedy lens gives you a port hole through which to view the world.  This helps in narrowing your focus when writing material.  A clear comedy lens also increases the chances that your audience will remember you.  The discussion concludes with some take-away homework for the listener by providing 4 questions to answer to get you started developing your own comedy lens.