Tag: standup

Types of Jokes

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Non-sequitur

It does not follow. Non-sequiturs are one of the most common type of joke. They rely on setting up an expectation and going in another direction. That shock and relief from the misdirection makes the funny.

Blue

Blue or risqué jokes are vulgar, dark, or morbid, and are often associated with non-sequiturs as they are often used for a shock value. Sometimes comedians are described as “blue” but it’s more useful to describe their jokes as blue. Not every single joke from a comedian is blue, although some say the failure to work clean or even one vulgar word or statement taints the entire set (and the comedian is therefore labelled as blue).

Hyperbolic

Hyperbolic jokes or exaggerations are about extremes to ridiculous proportions. It sparks an imagination of an absurd scenario that is funny, creates a caricature of reality, or mocks in a way that highlights some odd feature. The exaggeration is a game that the audience is in on.

Ironic 

Ironic jokes rely on mocking and the audience knowing it. There can be an underlying critique, like satire or parody, or it can be character-based or have some sort of message. It subverts expectation and breaks what is typical of reality.

Wordplay

Wordplay is another common joke form. It relies on colorful metaphors, analogies, or double-entendres. The classic pun, that relies on different meanings of a word, is a common example. Others rely on missing information, broken assumptions, or other linguistic play.

Self-deprecating

Self-deprecating jokes rely on the comic putting themselves down and embracing humiliation. But this builds a rapport with the audience. They are laughing with you because you humbled yourself and put yourself down. There is a connection with the audience built.

Esoteric

Esoteric jokes rely on some privileged knowledge or nuance. Part of the humor is that you are in the know and in the club and understand the joke. It can be pretentious or highbrow, but it can also be in virtue of a loyal fanbase. Fans of a particular comic can know certain things about that comic that others do not, like a good friend, and that itself can be funny.

Surreal

Surreal jokes or self-referential jokes transcend common sense or norms, and it is often absurd and outrageous. They can be difficult to execute because it is difficult to get the audience onboard. They can be meta or self-referential jokes (a “call back), or they can mock and break the traditional joke form and that itself can be funny.

Physical

Physical humor is the most natural form of humor. Children are primitively in tune with this form of humor and it relies on bodily gestures, volume, and facial expressions. It conveys and universal language and communicates a message to everybody. More sophisticated forms have nuanced expressions within contexts as a further form of communication or it can even create imagery through impressions or acting.

Comedy Case Study: Bill Burr

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Bill Burr is not for everybody, but here I’m hoping to shed light on why you should appreciate him a little bit more. He has gained some mainstream success in the last decade – for his roles in Breaking Bad, F is for Family, and his Monday Morning Podcast. He is sometimes described as a “comedian’s comedian,” meaning he’s acquired the respect by his peers for his comedic technique and craft. Let’s take a closer look at the kinds of techniques he employs and executes as a comedian.

First: a brief background. Bill Burr attributes his comedic technique to his tenure at the Comedy Cellar, a comedy club in Manhattan where many of the top New York comedians gathered. Here, he claimed, his fellow comedians (like Kevin Hart, Patrice O’Neal, Jim Norton, Rich Vos) harshly critiqued each other for hackneyed and cliché material – making each other sharper and better comedians – like a sort of peer review process. Moreover, Bill Burr performed all over America for a variety of crowds, and this made him into the comedian he is today.

Next: comedic style or comedic voice. The first impression you’d probably get is an angry Bostonian – the typical, dummy bro-dude with a fed-up, old man energy. He rants about a variety of subjects, including sports, relationships, and politics. Notably, he is honest and genuine, and he explores topics he is interested in or passionate about. This ethos of anger and authenticity is something we can all relate to.

Now, most importantly: comedic technique. Let us put aside the general principles of comedy (for now) and focus on what Bill Burr does really well. He can manipulate the audience’s emotions and reactions – first you’re against him and then you’re with him all the way.

More specifically, Bill Burr starts with a ridiculous or controversial premise that gets everybody’s attention – he creates and builds up tension. The audience is uncomfortable and wondering what will happen next. Next, he explains in an exaggerated or self-deprecating way (admitting his ignorance), and the audience joins in on the absurdity and they’re back on his side. He keeps pushing (adding tags), and the audience relates to his perspective and connects with his humor. First the crowd is against him, and then he triumphantly gets them on his side; rinse and repeat. He’s playing tug-of-way with the audience, the up and down, like a roller-coaster, making for a fun and entertaining ride.

What makes Bill Burr so special is that under all the sarcasm and mocking is a unique message. He has a specific point of view which he draws from instead of some vacuous cynicism, and you get to see the world from his perspective. Authors, musicians, movie writers, and Youtubers all try to communicate their point of view and how they see the world. Bill Burr effectively conveys his anger, confusion, and bitterness towards the subjects he covers. Even if you don’t agree with him, even if you know his facts are off, you see where he’s coming from and you empathize and connect with him. In this, he challenges you, changes you slightly, and gives you a new way to looking at the same old subject.