Iliza Schlesinger had the experience of asking a man on a date what his middle name was. He told her, but he didn’t follow up by asking hers. This didn’t feel right. How does the bare bones of this become stand-up – and how can you create stand-up out of your own simple observation?                                                                                                  In this excerpt from one of my Zoom stand-up comedy writing classes , I break down the techniques I

In this slightly late festive blog and video I explore using the 'as if' and 'undercutting' tools in comedy writing plus I look at the comedy of characters behaving out of character. All illustrated by a Christmas Peep Show Clip but the techniques can be used all year round! Here I discuss three key comedic elements as seen in a Peep Show  Christmas clip. I’d meant to make this clip on Boxing Day but I’ve been in such a Christmas stupor that it’s taken me to the 28 th . No ma

In this Christmas blog, my gift to you is a breakdown of some classic stand-up techniques you can use in your comedy or speaking, based on examples found in a festive Jack Dee clip. In this festive themed article I discuss:  writing jokes based on found phrases, the technique of misdirection, telling then showing (doing an act-out following a verbal joke), framing Material as Advice/Tips and mismatched emotional reactions A Jack Dee clip was nominated by a group member in one

In 2026 I will be running (pretty much) monthly one day weekend stand-up comedy workshops that will be spread across London, Stroud and (probably) Bath. If you've never been to one of my sessions before, the photos below (which I'm tempted to grandly call a "photo essay") will give you a flavour. The gentleman leading the class (me) will be a little older than the one in the photo given that these pictures date from 2018! (Which is also evidence of how infrequently I get roun

When writing a comedy scene or a sketch aim to have contrasting energies in the scene Firstly, the classic comedy sketch or scene features a clash of behaviour: * One character behaves normally for the situation. * The other character behaves in an absurd or unreasonable way for the situation. In the above video, the shop assistant in the langerie department appears to be the normal, reasonable one, but as the (Smack the Pony) sketch develops she starts to exhibit unusual

The Christmas and new year holidays are a great time to watch comedy. But how about using the time to start writing a brand new comedy script? Here I gives you some starting points for your new idea and below is information on a Zoom course I am running over the holidays to support you in starting your new idea. If you’re like a lot of the writers I coach, you’ve probably been working on a comedy script idea for a long time. Working away at it, rewriting, editing, honing. Th

Michael in the US Office has a birthday - and in a 2021/22 run of the Xmas/New Year sessions we explore rewriting. A special Xmas/New Year four part workshop for comedy writers. 7pm-9pm UK time (GMT), 2nd, 9th & 16th December 2025 and 6th January 202 £95 (On Zoom) BOOK YOUR PLACE This intensive workshop provides the structure, inspiration, and feedback you need to start the new year with fresh characters, scenes, and stories in hand. Or perhaps there's an idea you've been sit

Video made by former BBC Comedy Commissioner Lucy Lumsden of Yellow Door Productions. The book is published under the new Yellow Door Books imprint. "The best book of this type available. The advice manages to be thorough and insightful - yet also digestible and easily applicable. It's very helpful, and so I would highly recommend it to any writer or comedian." Alex Bruce, BAFTA winning comedy writer The best comedy looks effortless, but behind every rollicking joke and every

A still from a Zoom comedy coaching session. As you can see, I am focused on answering your issues! I'll always give you practical ways forward with your stand-up, scripts and speaking. Live and interactive comedy coaching with me from wherever you are. Zoom coaching is wonderful! You can easily connect with me from wherever you are (and I can sit at my desk - see above! - and talk to people from around the UK, Europe and the world). I am supportive, insightful and give you p

At the start of this excerpt from one of my Zoom TV Comedy Scriptwriting classes, I open up with the observation that asking "what would...

A storyteller in action. (My policy with AI is to do the complete opposite of generating a photo realistic image!) STAND-UP STORYTELLING WORKSHOP 10.45am-3.45pm, Saturday 28th February 2026 @ Theatre Deli , Leadenhall Street, London EC3A 4AF £75 Course info and booking Storytelling is a key part of stand-up. Telling a story (usually from your own life) in stand-up is different from telling a story socially. The main difference is a social story (if it's funny) will often buil

My splendid new book The Complete Comedy Script Toolkit has just been released. It’s a highly practical and inspiring collection of...

I teach crowd work and compering with top comic and MC Geoff Whiting. A subject that comes up in both contexts is responding to heckling....

Here's a clip from the Zoom class: I'm running a two part workshop online for gigging comics to develop their persona. 7pm-9pm UK time, Monday 23rd February & 2nd March 2026 £70 (On Zoom) BOOK YOUR PLACE Are you a stand-up comedian looking to develop your authentic comedic voice? To understand your persona (that on stage version of you) that underpins your material and guides your writing? Whether you've just started out or have plenty of gigs under your belt, you'll (almost

Stand-up Crowd Work Masterclass January 2026 LONDON Saturday 24th January 2026, 10.45am-3.45pm at Theatre Deli (near Liverpool Street station) £95 Develop your stand-up crowd work skills with top MC Geoff Whiting and comedy director Chris Head. BOOK YOUR PLACE Many comedians will jump into audience interactions with nothing planned. And with the right persona, mindset and experience, this can work. However, especially when you're newer to crowd work, you can go into interact

An AI imagined image of a Rebel-Jester. I'm running a two part workshop online for gigging comics to explore their persona. 7pm-9pm UK time, Monday 23rd February & 2nd March 2026 (On Zoom) BOOK YOUR PLACE When I help comedians (and all kinds of speakers) develop their persona, I work with Jungian archetypes. By using these archetypes as a starting point, stand-up comedians can gain a better understanding of themselves and their comedic potential, ultimately leading to a stro

Pro Tips on Compering a Comedy Show (Or Hosting any Event) Geoff Whiting has compered literally thousands of comedy shows and events. I...

Describe your thought processes or mental health using a comic analogy In my Zoom stand-up class recently, everyone got to try out describing their thought processes or mental health using comic analogies. I made a video discussing this where I use a couple of the clips we looked at in the class. In this video, I talk about how you can use analogies in your stand-up for your thought processes and mental health. In my two examples, Rebecca O'Neal uses a gentrification analogy

My daughter is graduating from secondary school in the UK and has been asked to write a quote for her yearbook. Firstly, I didn't realise...

Boss, striver and fool characters - here, in the comedy drama I just made up (okay ripped off from Sharon Horgan), entitled "3 Sisters" ,...