Finding Your Funny Muscle: How to Create Laughs Like a Pro

by Mike Lukas

“The blueprint for how to be funny.” - Charna Halpern, author of TRUTH IN COMEDY & ART BY COMMITTEE.

“Deceptively simple techniques.” - Kelly Leonard, The Second City (Exec. VP, President of Theatricals), “Yes And” (co-author), “Getting to Yes, And” (host).

“A must-read for anyone looking to upgrade their humor game.” - Peter McGraw, coauthor of The Humor Code.

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When a joke flops…It hurts.

Nothing beats getting big, genuine laughs from a room full of people.

But when a joke doesn’t land, your confidence takes a hit, and it feels like you’ve let everybody down.

Figuring out why a joke didn't work and trying again is what makes you funnier.

You could try grinding it out on your own, hoping you’ll get lucky.

Or you could get serious about your sense of humor.

With a career spanning a quarter of a century, veteran comedian and comedy coach Mike Lukas (Tonight Show, Comedy Central, Second City, CBS Radio) strips comedy down to the bone.

In Finding Your Funny Muscle, Mike shows you how to “flex” your ideas into funny, original, and relatable humor that gets big laughs—and makes you memorable for the right reasons.

His proven blueprint

How to develop your own brand of comedy by answering just four questions.

Five ways a ‘Comedy Lens’ helps you create original punchlines.

The exact joke framework pro comics have used to build their careers.

How to come up with A+ material—fast—using the Humor Blueprint.

36 Humor Heightening Devices to consistently create fresh material.

A simple technique to avoid freezing and easily remember your ‘bits’.

All the laugh-getting tips and tactics from Mike’s 24-year career as a pro comedian, improviser, and comedy coach.



Whether you’re a fan of comedy, an aspiring joke-slinger, or a working pro with an ‘itch’ to make it big, Finding Your Funny Muscle reveals the hard-won you can learn to be funnier.

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“Lukas really knows what he's talking about.” - Brian Stack, Writers Guild Award Winning / Emmy Nominated writer for Conan O’Brien, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, actor, comedian.

"Mike Lukas is a brilliant, hyper-observant comic.” - Rich Talarico, writer/producer Key & Peele, MADtv, SNL, The Tonight Show, Second City.

“This is the blueprint for how to create an act that will be 100% your own.” Eddie Clark, comedian & actor (Law & Order, Exiled, Orange Is the New Black, A&E, OPTIMUM ONLINE).

194 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 15, 2023

Reviews

[Amanda Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this book via voracious readers in lieu of an honest review, and I’m glad I picked it up. This book would be great used in a debate or speech class. As well, I could see it used as a bonding tool for leadership teams and work groups. And obviously, acting classes would get a great deal of use from it. But, I think we can all use some help finding our funny muscle, especially in embarrassing or stressful situations, and this book could surely help one hone it.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best comedy writing books I’ve ever read. As a retired professional comedian that worked with the author once about 23 years ago, I can say with confidence that Lukas certainly practices what he preaches. And just like he says, he’s an asshole too. Just kidding - he is one of the best joke writers and performers I ever had the pleasure of working with.

[Steve Sabo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is chock full of great information. My only criticism is that it is incredibly repetitive; he could have given all the information in half the pages. On the other hand, that repetitiveness sinks the message into your brain and forces you to remember the importance of each step. So... in that sense, it was a highly useful tool. I'm torn in that regard. The important thing is that every new comic NEEDS this book, because it really does show you the blueprint to a successful comedy routine, and the information inside is priceless.

[Ryan Millar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a highly enjoyable and practical book about the craft of comedy. The author is a seasoned vet of both improv and stand-up and you can tell he gets it. It can feel a bit technical for a casual reader, but if you're looking to understand joke structure and get to creating your own comedy, his humor blueprint will be quite helpful. I especially appreciated the list of 36 humor-heightening devices. Recommended, especially for students of the comedic arts.

[Pam C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are looking to grow your funny muscle then reading this book could help. I'm not looking to get into comedy so reading this was more out of curiosity. The author has given a structure to follow with options to create a laugh. Quick read.

I was given a free ebook via Voracious Readers Only to read in exchange for my honest review.

[Debbie Pyette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book comes across like a comedy workshop. It breaks down the steps to making a good joke and explains the process in an easy to understand format. In doing so it is informative and educational but a tad repetitive. It does take some of the magic out of comedy. It would be a great resource for someone just starting out in comedy.

[Mike Lukas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it - of course, I wrote it, so . . .

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to stand-up comedy, and constructing bits, but certainly just the first step. Lukas makes the topic easy and accessible for people who are new to it and just exploring.

[Casey Rislov · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perspicacious, as insightful on how to make your stories elaborate into more laughter.