If you want to be saved its going to take a little work. You might want to try a life
of comedy or a least write for fun. Science shows taking fun seriously can boost
your resilience. Humor is seen as a protective factor for our well-being and
mental health. Like they say crack up so you don’t crack up. To start off do you
work a crap job that doesn’t pay? You hopefully have comedy and hope for the
future. The more jobs you do that don’t pay the more experience you get with
working and developing humor. Clint Eastwood said on actor’s studio “You
should take your work seriously and yourself not that seriously and you would be
doing fine the rest of your life.” Make time for play. As far as child development
play maybe more important than math.
This applies to any job. How can you make this bad job of yours fun. Once you do
a number of jobs that don’t pay you have developed tons of experience that can
be used for comedy or can apply the skills you learned to start you own company
and get more pay. This is what is important. To get the big bucks you first need
an education or experience. You can also be self-taught learning from Google and
YouTube whatever questions you can think of to further your knowledge. Once
you learn you then need an agenda and develop a massive daily attack plan.
Once you have comedy it is easier to get by. Meaning you don’t worry as much
and are positive with hope, even though it may look bleak. If you have no options
why not laugh. What you want is to feel better about your own situation with
comedy. If you think it does you no good to worry about the future use this for
comedy and motivation. No worries and break through to nothing really matters
and you will get by somehow.
There are different types of humor if you look at comedians:
Number one is observational humor:
I think Jerry Seinfeld the g.o.a.t. I feel for his 90’s tv show. He would make fun
with observations on daily life. Like peanuts on an airplane or remarks about
Kramer. The comedian uses very relatable events and scenarios and gives them a
funny twist. Observational humor may be the best for stand-up comedians. Chris
Rock I think does observational humor as well. This is comedic bread and butter.
Number two is antagonistic humor:
This type of humor involves teasing, ridicule, criticism, and sarcasm. Laughing at
the expense of others. When stand up comics pick people from crowd to make
fun of or any person it is humor aimed to make fun of others thus antagonistic.
This could also be described as villain or bad guy humor. Famous comedians of
this style include Jeff Ross and the late Don Rickles.
Number three white lie humor:
This type of humor, my favorite was made popular by Chevy Chase in sketches
and the movie Fletch. An example is “Have you eaten breakfast yet?” “No, I
already ate.”
A small lie is told for comedic purposes not to hurt others. The “white lie” is a lie
but in context is really not that upsetting, just a little mischievous. This could
upset people but is actually harmless.
Number four Impressions:
This is mainly humor done on Saturday Night Live. Players like Bill Hader do
impressions to impress audiences and make them laugh. He does impressions of
Al Pacino, Alan Alda, Tom Cruise, Christopher Walken, Arnold Schwarzenegger,
and others. Anyone can learn impressions like Joe Biden or Donald Trump. If you
want to learn watch the professionals and look at YouTube videos of your
favorites.
Number five Self-deprecating humor- This is done by making fun of one’s self like
Conan O’Brien or Rodney Dangerfield. This is done by focusing on the
shortcomings of the performer. Also called self-defeating humor is the path of
putting yourself down to get approval from others.
What really tipped the scales and put me on the right track was watching the first
episode of Comedians Driving & Getting Coffee on Netflix with Jerry Seinfeld and
first guest Jimmy Fallon. The helped me realize if you have comedy it can save
your life. A lot of comedians lives were saved by comedy and the made ends
meat with their stand up. How does this save your life? Comedy helps out of
everything thru laughter and feeling better. A comics job is to make you feel
comfortable and laugh. In recent late 2022 I saw Kevin Nealon do his bit in
Holland Michigan known for it’s Tulip Time celebration. He had me laughing the
whole show. I also found his YouTube show Hiking with Kevin. Great show with
many special guests he hikes with.
How to start your comedic journey:
1.Research: First thing you want to do is to go see comedians live. Learn by
example. Now with the internet and YouTube you have a library of stand-up to
see. Watch your favorite comedians. What style of comedy do they do?
2.Start writing material: With observational humor anything can turn into humor.
Like try jobs and see what you think is odd or funny. Like mechanics, aren’t you
curious when the mechanic says you need a new gasket that’s going to cost you.
Keep a notebook with you and write down anything that makes you laugh
throughout the day. Try to develop your perspective or style. Make sure to do
this on a daily basis. Whatever inspires you can be turned into funny material.
3.Make your bits: They can one joke or multiple jokes about the same topic.
There is a set-up for situation and characters and a punchline.
Unless you want to pursue a stand-up comedian career you really just can do
these three steps.
In conclusion comedy saves. If you love what you do you really don’t work, it is
fun and satisfying. Work on developing some comedy today. You have nothing to
lose and your mental health to gain.
