Monday, May 16, 2011

A comedian is a specialist in explaining the things they don't understand.

      
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With most professions, you expect people to have some expertise. To know more about a particular subject than everyone else. A comedian, on the other hand, isn't necessarily an expert in any particular area. They are just very good at noticing things that other people live with but don't seem to notice. They see repeated themes. They make funny connections between things. They put things into a new context. They make fun of anything that pretends to be normal. Or shouldn't be normal.
He doesn't have to explain the reasons why things are the way they are, but he loves to express his slanted perspective. He doesn't have to understand everything, but he enjoys the opportunity to offer 'suggestions' on why something happened.
A professional comedian's job is to show he is an amateur in everything else.
A comedian is one of the few people who can start a sentence with, "The thing I don't understand is…."
So be confused, be baffled, be honest about the things you don't understand. Your audience will love it.

(For the comedy & Comedians series)
Note: I'm not a Comedian but I wanted to understand what makes good comedy work. So I hope this will help inspire aspiring comedians (& communicators) to develop this very creative craft.
-Your comments are very welcome.

Steve writes & coaches about Creative & Career Development
You can find Steve at: www.ineedtocreate.com

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