The Joke That Got Away (Kinda)
2 Tips for Joke Writers
Every stand-up comedian likely knows the feeling: you finish your set, pack up, and head out, only to be hit with the perfect joke for that moment. It’s the punchline or comeback or tag that came five minutes too late. It’s the callback that could’ve brought the house down, but instead, there you are on your way home and it’s an annoying afterthought stuck bouncing around in your brain.
But here’s the thing: jokes don’t have to get away. Sure, they might slip through the cracks for a particular show, but they don’t have to disappear forever. The key? Tip 1: Write it down immediately.
I can’t overstate this enough. If a joke idea hits you while you’re driving, pull over. If you’re mid-conversation, say, “Hold on.” If you’re about to fall asleep, get up. If you’re in the shower, keep saying it over and over and, as soon as you’re out, write it down. I promise, you’ll never regret writing it down. What you will regret, however, is thinking, Oh, I’ll remember it later, and then realizing you have no clue what it was. I don’t know what it is, but there’s almost like an unspoken natural law or psychological law that, if you don’t write the joke down, it’s gone, never to be retrieved again, no matter how hard you try.
Another game changer in that regard: record everything. Watch or listen to every set you perform. Sometimes, a joke you thought didn’t land has potential you didn’t notice in the moment. Or, you’ll pick up on an off-the-cuff comment or audience interaction that could be polished into a killer bit. What might feel like a throwaway line during a set could become a core part of your show if you take the time to revisit it. But, of course, taking time to revisit it takes time. And that’s where many fail. Make the time to take the time!
The “joke that got away” might feel like a lost opportunity in the moment, but it can be prevented if you cultivate good habits—writing, recording, and reviewing. Do those things and it’s rarely gone for good. What doesn’t hit one night can come back stronger, sharper, and ready for the next show. In comedy, nothing is truly wasted if you’re willing to put in the effort to capture it.