Getting the Joke: The Inner Workings of Stand-Up Comedy

by Oliver Double

'This is the kind of book that troubles grey-suited committees of academic peers. It's too enjoyable. But that, given its subject, is just what it ought to be, and it treats that subject seriously . . . There isn't a “dull” page anywhere in the book.' – Professor Peter Thomson, Studies in Theatre and Performance Comedy is stand-up comedians routinely sell out stadia, their audience-figures swollen by panel-show appearances and much-followed Twitter feeds. Meanwhile, the smaller clubs are filling up, with audiences as well as aspirants. How can we make sense of it all? This new edition of Getting the Joke gives an insider's look at the spectrum of modern comedy, re-examining the world of stand-up in the internet age. Drawing on his acclaimed first edition, Oliver Double focuses in greater detail on the US scene and its comedians (such as David Cross, Sarah Silverman, Louis CK, Demetri Martin and Margaret Cho); the 'DIY' comedy circuit and its celebrated apostles and visionaries, from Josie Long to Stewart Lee; the growing importance of the solo stand-up show; the role played by Twitter (including an interview with the organiser of the world's first comedy gig on Twitter), and the driving force that is the TV guest slot, be it on Mock the Week or Live at the Apollo. With expanded sections on joke construction, as well as ways to challenge the audience, and a host of new and updated exercises to guide the aspiring comedian, this new edition of Getting the Joke is the only book to combine the history of stand-up comedy with an analysis of the elements and methods that go into its creation. Featuring a range of interviews with working comedians – from circuit veterans to new kids on the block – combined with the author's vast experience, this is a must read for any aspiring stand-up comedian.

Genres: Comedy, Stand Up

561 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Irwan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been interested in stand up comedy for years now. I guess love of language that drew me to that. I wasn't really aware why. But recently after following lots of comedians talking shops on podcasts, I started to grasp the fact that this art form relies heavily on the effective use of language. One can debate the artistic values of a poem, a play or a novel, and often without a decisive conclusion. Standup form is brutally honest: the joke can only be funny or not. No middle ground.

After a keynote speaker in an IT conference I attended last year presented the idea of using humour at work, suddenly it clicked to me. What if all the presentations we have to "endure" use that binary approach. A boring presentation should not survive. You cannot hide behind other qualities like importance, etc.

That was why I picked up this book. I want to learn this art form more closely. Not necessarily to perform it, but I would like to be able to use its principles and approaches to my domain.

This book is a good start.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very British and exhaustive gander at all side of the stand up comedy game. More for someone interested in theoretical exploration of all facets of the mystical craft than a new comic trying to learn how to do it. When I say it's very British I mean because it focuses mainly on UK acts, and also it can be a bit too dry and long-winded at points (sorry guys).