Q&A for How to Tell a Joke

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What should I do if a joke doesn't work out?

Kendall Payne
Standup Comedian
Kendall Payne is a Writer, Director, and Stand-up Comedian based in Brooklyn, New York. Kendall specializes in directing, writing, and producing comedic short films. Her films have screened at Indie Short Fest, Brooklyn Comedy Collective, Channel 101 NY, and 8 Ball TV. She has also written and directed content for the Netflix is a Joke social channels and has written marketing scripts for Between Two Ferns: The Movie, Astronomy Club, Wine Country, Bash Brothers, Stand Up Specials and more. Kendall runs an IRL internet comedy show at Caveat called Extremely Online, and a comedy show for @ssholes called Sugarp!ss at Easy Lover. She studied at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre and at New York University (NYU) Tisch in the TV Writing Certificate Program.

Kendall Payne

Standup Comedian

Expert Answer

We call this "bombing" in the industry. It's natural and it's nothing to feel bad about. The trick when this happens is to figure out whether the joke is any good or not. It could be that you just need to practice telling it, or find a new audience for the joke. If it doesn't get any laughs the next 2-3 times you tell it, it's probably not a super good joke.

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Question

How can I figure out if I'm telling a joke correctly?

Kendall Payne
Standup Comedian
Kendall Payne is a Writer, Director, and Stand-up Comedian based in Brooklyn, New York. Kendall specializes in directing, writing, and producing comedic short films. Her films have screened at Indie Short Fest, Brooklyn Comedy Collective, Channel 101 NY, and 8 Ball TV. She has also written and directed content for the Netflix is a Joke social channels and has written marketing scripts for Between Two Ferns: The Movie, Astronomy Club, Wine Country, Bash Brothers, Stand Up Specials and more. Kendall runs an IRL internet comedy show at Caveat called Extremely Online, and a comedy show for @ssholes called Sugarp!ss at Easy Lover. She studied at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre and at New York University (NYU) Tisch in the TV Writing Certificate Program.

Kendall Payne

Standup Comedian

Expert Answer

Are people laughing? If so, you're telling it right! If you aren't getting laughs, you could be telling it wrong. One thing you could do is turn on your phone's audio recorder before you tell it the next time, and then review your cadence and delivery to see if you're on to something.

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Question

Are puns the best kind of jokes?

Community Answer

Some people like puns, but others do not find them funny. Jokes are not objective and everyone reacts to them differently.

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Question

What about after telling the joke? If people say it was really funny, would saying thanks sound too formal and kill the mood?

Mbon2004

Community Answer

Maybe you could try saying thanks in an informal tone, that way you wouldn't kill the joke.

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Question

How do I make her laugh when I tell her a joke?

Community Answer

Make sure the joke makes sense and that it is funny. Tell her a joke you think she would like. Girls are less likely to be amused by "potty humor" or dirty jokes. Everyone likes a good pun!

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Question

Can I use someone famous in my joke in a public performance?

Community Answer

Yes. People make jokes about celebrities all the time. As long as it's clear you're joking,, you could not get in trouble for libel or slander.

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Is that necessary to first know the person's mood before telling a joke?

Community Answer

Yes, that's a good idea. If the person is in a bad mood or thinking about a serious issue, your joke will probably not be received well.

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Question

Should a joke be lengthy or short?

Community Answer

Jokes vary in sizes, but it's better not to be too long, or else people will have a hard time following and will be less likely to laugh.

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Question

Why is it that, when a guy tells a dirty joke, everybody laughs and tells him how funny he is, but when a girl tells a dirty joke, everybody cringes and assumes she's a player?

Community Answer

This is about "social standards." If our society is compared to, for example, a vegan, watching the mountain lion kill the deer is a normal act; however, when the hunter kills the deer, it is an unnecessary act of violence. Guys joking about that sort of thing is normal, even expected, due to the "nature of guys", but since girls are seen as more "dignified" and submissive, the joke coming from their mouths is unexpected, to say the least.

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