Template to Study Other Comics
And objectively rate where you currently are in the comedy hierarchy:

Hani Skutch, Content Manager at William Hill, asked this question on LinkedIn.com discussion group Comedy.com Thursday, September 9, 2013, 1:05 pm PST:
"How do you study other comics?
Are there certain questions you ask?
Do you have a template?
Any ideas appreciated.
Thanks."

I replied same day at 1:35 pm:

Hani,

That is an excellent question.


The only template that my students and clients can agree on is the math behind rating comics by their LPM (laughs per minute).

However, what counts as a laugh vs. a titter vs. cheer leading the audience to applaud an unfunny line, etc., is open to interpretation.

So, here is my own interpretation which I used as an understandable criterion back in the day:
"Comedy Producer's audition requirements letter:
AUDITION PROCEDURES and RATING CRITERIA"

Beyond that, the number one rule is to judge comics on the HOW before the WHAT.

This means that there are recognizable techniques that many comics use,
even though not all comics use every technique.

Here is my writing and performing techniques check list (template).

Again, the What is a secondary consideration because
if the given stand-up comic has not mastered technique,
often no one will know what the hell he/she is talking about.
The audience: "Sees before it Hears before it Understands."

Once the What can be Understood,
the comic (you) must also be presenting logical arguments
that involuntarily get the majority in the audience to agree
with your position on the subject at hand.
Reward:
earned laughter and applause.

Natch, there is a lot more to answering your template question than I can cover here.


Suffice it to say that he or she who dares to cross the stand-up comedy stage
not having fully grasped what this game is all about
is doomed to instant failure.

Well, that's not entirely true:
Most audiences will give you a full 10 seconds to win them over.

8-)

So, best to come on stage with that template well in hand with most, if not all categories fleshed out:
•Your mastery of technique must match your originality of purpose.

But then, what do I know?

Jim Richardson
Just a simple, country comedy coach

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