Become a Comedian in 1 Week?
6 Things I Learned From a Book with This Title (Comedy Resources #4)
I recently came across a book with a title that makes a bold claim, a claim that seems way too good to be true: Become A Stand-Up Comedian in 1 Week. It was written by Michael Young and, of course, my first thought was something like, “Sure, and I’ve got a bridge to sell you.” A week? Become a stand-up comedian in just a week? I’ll tell you, I was expecting full-on snake oil; nevertheless, I was genuinely surprised to find several insightful and counter-intuitive lessons within this book.
Young breaks down the craft of comedy in a way that’s both practical and, at times, quite insightful. Instead of the usual vague advice about “finding your voice” (which is a very important thing!), this book offers concrete exercises and frameworks that aim to demystify the process of being/becoming a comedian. I decided to share my most surprising takeaways about what it takes to get on stage and make people laugh. Here are six.
1. Your Flaws are Your Greatest Asset: If you read enough comedy books, you’ll come across this idea; so, the claim isn’t novel. But it’s a good reminder and this book puts it in terms a comedian can use. It argues that a comedian’s vulnerability and personal flaws are not just relatable, but are the actual source of their likability. Put differently: It’s not about being your “best self”; rather, it’s about putting your “worst self” under a spotlight.
Why? Because audiences don’t really connect with perfection. What they do connect with is performers who admit their imperfections. (Hence one of the pillars of my comedic philosophy: “If it’s messed-up, it’s material.” And likewise, the name of my podcast: “Messed-Up To Set-Ups.”) Young suggests, like many other comedy authors & teachers, that leaning into your own struggles is the most direct path to audience connection. It’s a point we can all stand to hear/read over and over. The book puts it bluntly with a line that has stuck with me since I read it, “The more you talk about how your life sucks, the more likable you become.” If you’re a complainer, like most of us are, then you’ve already got a head start.
2. You Don’t Need to Be the “Funny Guy”: One helpful insight was Young’s argument that you don’t have to be the life of the party to be a comedian. This cuts through the exhausting expectation that comedians have to be “on” all the time. Often, it does feel like that. So, here’s what’s really helpful: Young distinguishes between being a constant joke-teller and having a true sense of humor. He argues that an appreciation for laughter is what’s most important. He also says that sincerity is the real key to being funny on stage (see Point #1), not an ability to fire off one-liners in social situations. Totally agree!
3. Comedy Begins with a “Brain Dump”: In this book, Young doesn’t just tell the reader to be vulnerable; he gives an actual blueprint for mining that vulnerability. That’s where his “Brain dump” exercise comes in. This gives comedians a way to turn abstract self-loathing into a literal inventory of potential punchlines. It’s a technique that involves putting on paper exhaustive lists of your personal qualities, physical traits, fears, frustrations, and anxieties. Then, you transform those intangible parts of yourself into a tangible source of material. It’s a very structured approach and it demystifies the act of “being creative” by turning it into a methodical process of self-excavation. It’s a good reminder, too, of how our deepest worries are a deep fount for comedy material.
4. The Power of Unexpected Emotions: Beyond basic structure, Young also gets into more advanced techniques. One involves taking a topic and attaching a completely unexpected emotion to it. Young uses a perfect, if jarring, example: “I enjoy explosive diarrhea. I think it’s kind of fun.” Yeah, he had to go the potty humor route. But don’t give up on him because of that. The strategy itself is useful. It helps writers do what all good jokes do: subvert expectations and create surprise. Yes, that line’s disgusting and immature, but it’s a decent example of the kind of absurdity that can make a joke unforgettable.
5. Comedy is a Science of Threes and K’s: While comedy is an art, the book effectively argues that it is also a science, a craft with learnable formulas. It breaks down joke structures into patterns, like the “Lucky number three” formula (also known by “The Triple,” “The Rule of 3s,” etc.) where a list of three items ends with a surprising third element. He also talks about phonetics, explaining that hard consonant sounds are often perceived as funnier (something I just wrote in-depth about HERE recently). Thus, words ending with “K,” “C,” and “Qu” sounds have an inherent punchiness that can give a joke an extra kick. These are great tips for beginners.
6. The Secret to Structuring Your Set: Every comedian knows that brilliant jokes can fall flat if they’re presented in the wrong order. Young draws on common wisdom in stand-up here: start with your best joke to grab the audience’s attention immediately and end your set with your second-best joke, leaving them on a high note and wanting more. I agree with this, of course, but the thing is, many comedians I see don’t write well-formed jokes much less have well-formed sets. But they should! Maybe if they’d read this book, they’d be doing just that.
I picked up this book expecting a gimmick and, in a way, there is some of that, especially in regards to the title. But, to my surprise, there’s some good and helpful stuff in here, too. Young’s core message is that stand-up is not some innate gift bestowed upon a chosen few. I agree. Stand-up is a skill that can be developed through deliberate practice, self-exploration, and a solid understanding of technique. Again, I agree. And for all those reasons, I don’t hesitate to suggest grabbing a copy of this, especially if you’re a new or aspiring comedian, and giving it a read.
JOKE WRITING COURSE: By the way, if you have any interest at all in learning about your persona, how to write some jokes, or doing stand-up comedy, check out my online joke writing course, “The Joke Writer’s Lab,” HERE.