  Comedy
This week: Finding the Best Version of a Joke Edited by: Jeff  
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"The wit makes fun of other people; the satirist makes fun of the world;
the humorist makes fun of himself."
-- James Thurber
Comedy Trivia of the Week: On the sitcom Happy Endings, Damon Wayans, Jr. played series regular Brad Williams during the show's three season run. Of all the recognizable guest stars on the show, one of the most popular was when Brad's father made an appearance in an episode, played by his real-life father Damon Wayans.
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FINDING THE BEST VERSION OF A JOKE
Writing a joke is not so different from writing a story, or a paragraph, or even a sentence. Both are relatively easy to do; you just have to jot down the first thing that comes to mind. But, as those who have been seriously writing for any amount of time can attest to, the first thing that comes to mind isn't always - and in fact is rarely - the best version of what you're trying to say. Sure, there's always a chance that the words you've strung together are functional, and maybe even a little eloquent... but they often pale in comparison to what you can accomplish when you go back, really look at the words and their construction, and take the time to tweak and fine-tune the little details until it's the best possible version of what you're trying to say.
Comedy is much the same way. Sure, the first version of a joke you're trying to tell may get a laugh, but chances are that you're going to have to practice and revise and refine it - sometimes dozens or even hundreds of times - to find the ideal version of that joke. Professional stand-up comedians will not just practice the same jokes and the same routines hundreds of times before they even perform it on stage, but then they'll perform that same routine for weeks, months, even years... day-in and day-out, until they've truly mastered it. It's that mastery of the material and the understanding of what works and what doesn't over an extended period of trial and error that allows them to be so funny when you go to see them. Because it's probably the first or second time you're hearing the material, but for them it's the 100th, 500th, or maybe even 1,000th time they've gone through their act.
When writers compose their words, it's much the same way. Sure we can show our rough drafts to people and send off our manuscripts the minute we write "The End." Sometimes, those rough drafts may even be pretty good on their own. But they will never be as good as the draft someone reads after you've been through it 100, 500, or even 1,000 times to tweak and perfect every aspect of the material.
In your writing, and especially in your comedy, don't settle for the first thing that comes to mind, and don't be satisfied with something that's just okay. Push yourself to revise and refine your work until it's the best it can possibly be. After all, even if you've read through or gone over that material a hundred million times until it's routine and dull, remember that there is a point where every member of the audience and every reader who picks up a copy will be reading it for the first time. And the writers and comedians who understand that... who can shape their audience's first time into something truly memorable and special through agonizing repetition and practice will be far more likely to be remembered than the people who crank out material and never take the time to find the best version of it.
Find the best version of your jokes, and take the time to give everyone the best version of your writing.
Until next time,
-- Jeff
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Feedback from my last newsletter about the rules of improv:
Seamus Leo  writes, "I believe in life, the more experience you have in situations on the outside, the funnier life and day to day activities become and a sense of humor you will have eventually if you are amused by life."
I agree!
mcclemore writes, "Oh, you had me going right to the end then you announced the return of a show that never was; "Who Is Line Is It Anyway". Ha, I caught the error and had to run with it! But yes, WHOSE Line Is It Anyway does return this summer on CW with 10 new episodes hosted by Aisha Tyler. Gonna miss Drew and company, BUT, I hear they might have a few appearances. I occasionally catch Wayne Brady on Let's (as in 'Let Us', right?) Make a Deal, and Drew on The Price is Right, depending on when I wake up for my 2nd Shift routine. Unfortunately, if I am waking up this early and watching these great comedians uplifting the spirits of several fellow Americans, around 5pm I am considering, um, eternally silencing (is that a good way to put it?) some of my fellow coworkers!
Thanks for the Newsletter! "
Sounds like we need to find you some comedians that perform in the afternoon! 
BIG BAD WOLF is Howling  writes, "One must enjoy The Good, and The Bad.
(high-pitched voice) And The Ugly!
(Angrily) Okay! Who brought him in?"
(Submitted item: "True Grit Scene Spoof" )
Ralph writes, "Hiya, I'm in agreement. Now imagine an improve act in progress; you're on.  RR"
I'd be a terrible actor... I hate performing in front of people! I prefer to sit here safe and sound behind my keyboard. 
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Comedy: September 18, 2013 Issue [#5898]
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