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 Iliza Schlesinger...

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 matter, the comedy...

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 of my previous...