School Of Laughs

With the talk of presidential candidates in the air here in the United States, producer Gavin Miller and I got to thinking about what we want in a leader. Oddly enough, many traits we identified are also traits of great comedians.

Candidates are definitely characters. Comedians are as well. But what are the common links that cross over from one pursuit to the other?

In this episode, we discuss 9 traits that comedians and presidents share. Specifically, we talk about:

• Being able to differentiate yourself from the others
• Becoming “known” for what you believe in
• Why establishing trust is key (in three different areas)
• How actions you take to day should also benefit you years later
• How 4-8 years in the spotlight can take a toll
• Willingness to identify weaknesses
• Sticking to your vision or comedic “Point Of View”
• Performing due diligence before taking swift action
• How diplomacy can help during a show
• Freeing yourself from tasks that you can delegate to someone else
• The importance of Iowa to both groups

And much, much more!

What did we leave out? Please, send your comments to [email protected] and let us know.

Also, check out this other great podcast about stand-up comedy.

NEVER MISS A PODCAST OR POST

Better yet, subscribe to the bi-monthly School of Laughs “Insider Tips” email and get exclusive information delivered right to your inbox. It’s fast, free useful and fun. Email: [email protected] and put “insider tip sheet” in the subject header. I’ll make sure you get the official tip sheet and I promise to keep your email anonymous and spam free.

ABOUT THE SCHOOL OF LAUGHS:

This podcast is a production of the Rik Roberts School Of Laughs. If you want to learn about becoming a stand-up comedian, or just become a better one - visit the wwwSchoolOfLaughs.com web site.

If you enjoy this PODCAST please subscribe in iTunes or STITCHER and leave a comment and ranking.

@SCHOOLOFLAUGHS on Twitter

With the talk of presidential candidates in the air here in the United States, producer Gavin Miller and I got to thinking about what we want in a leader. Oddly enough, many traits we identified are also traits of great comedians.

Candidates are definitely characters. Comedians are as well. But what are the common links that cross over from one pursuit to the other?

In this episode, we discuss 9 traits that comedians and presidents share. Specifically, we talk about:

And much, much more!

What did we leave out? Please, send your comments to [email protected] and let us know.

Also, check out this other great podcast about stand-up comedy.

NEVER MISS A PODCAST OR POST

Better yet, subscribe to the bi-monthly School of Laughs “Insider Tips” email and get exclusive information delivered right to your inbox. It’s fast, free useful and fun. Email: [email protected] and put “insider tip sheet” in the subject header. I’ll make sure you get the official tip sheet and I promise to keep your email anonymous and spam free.

ABOUT THE SCHOOL OF LAUGHS:

This podcast is a production of the Rik Roberts School Of Laughs. If you want to learn about becoming a stand-up comedian, or just become a better one - visit the wwwSchoolOfLaughs.com web site.

If you enjoy this PODCAST please subscribe in iTunes or STITCHER and leave a comment and ranking.

@SCHOOLOFLAUGHS  on Twitter

044 S.T.R.E.T.C.H. PUSH YOUR SELF [podcast]

You may feel like you are making huge strides in your comedy career, but are you? Most performers find a comfortable little comedy “safe place” and never wander beyond it. We all know comics who could be SO MUCH BETTER. Maybe, that comic is yourself.

This episode gives more than 23 actionable tips you can implement TODAY to help you be better.

Through the acronym S.T.R.E.T.C.H. we will discuss:

• Why you shouldn’t wait too long to tell a new joke
• The benefits of telling a joke that is “in progress”
• One activity to sharpen your wit that you’ve never considered
• Ways to grow as a performer (even though it may hurt a little)
• Why dropping three of your best jokes is good
• Finding out your video isn’t as good as you think it is
• How your material and your “look” may be countering each other
• Where to find great new laughs (from the same old joke)
• Speaking in front of groups who aren’t comedians
• Getting feedback from professionals outside of comedy
• Prepping for humor competitions outside of the clubs
• How to buy a comic a cup of coffee in exchange for time
• The main thing to do when picking someone else’s brain
• How listening to conversations and everyday life can lead to jokes
• Why you should make a list of your excuses
• Actions you can take to get on track
• How to avoid a “boombox” approach to your show
• How to get new laughs with the same words

And, believe it or not, a whole lot more!

If you would like a TIP SHEET for this podcast that outlines all of the suggestions, subscribe to the bi-monthly School of Laughs “Insider Tips” email and get exclusive information delivered right to your inbox. It’s fast, free useful and fun.

Email: [email protected] and put “insider tip sheet” in the subject header. I’ll make sure you get the official tip sheet and I promise to keep your email anonymous and spam free.

I hope you get a lot out of this episode and immeadiately put one of the suggestions into place to make your comedy bigger, better and more bookable than ever before!

NEVER MISS A PODCAST OR POST

If you enjoy this post, you will LOVE our podcast! Please subscribe in iTunes or STITCHER and leave a comment and ranking.

Better yet,

@SCHOOLOFLAUGHS on Twitter

044 S.T.R.E.T.C.H. PUSH YOUR SELF [podcast]

You may feel like you are making huge strides in your comedy career, but are you? Most performers find a comfortable little comedy “safe place” and never wander beyond it. We all know comics who could be SO MUCH BETTER. Maybe, that comic is yourself.

This episode gives more than 23 actionable tips you can implement TODAY to help you be better.

Through the acronym S.T.R.E.T.C.H. we will discuss:

And, believe it or not, a whole lot more!

If you would like a TIP SHEET for this podcast that outlines all of the suggestions, subscribe to the bi-monthly School of Laughs “Insider Tips” email and get exclusive information delivered right to your inbox. It’s fast, free useful and fun.

Email: [email protected] and put “insider tip sheet” in the subject header. I’ll make sure you get the official tip sheet and I promise to keep your email anonymous and spam free.

I hope you get a lot out of this episode and immeadiately put one of the suggestions into place to make your comedy bigger, better and more bookable than ever before!

NEVER MISS A PODCAST OR POST

If you enjoy this post, you will LOVE our podcast! Please subscribe in iTunes or STITCHER and leave a comment and ranking.

Better yet,

@SCHOOLOFLAUGHS  on Twitter

No doubt about it, at some point in your comedy journey you will be invited to - or thrown in the middle of - a comedy contest. In response to a listener question (thanks Brent!) we spend this episode weighing the pros and cons of participating in comedy competitions.

My first inadvertent night onstage, I found myself the lowest ranking comic in an ongoing contest. Looking back, it was hard to lose since I didn’t know I was even playing. Now, with 23 years under my belt I have some strong opinions on what makes these events worthwhile.

We talk specifically about:

• Challenging the idea of even judging an art form in the first place
• Weighing the results of “audience response” based contests
• Potential benefits of a night judged by industry folk (bookers, agents, etc.,)
• Why having only one goal can set you up for failure
• The benefits of having to prepare “your best set”
• Leveraging that seven minutes onstage for other opportunities
• Why the green room may not be the best place to hang during the show
• How a contest can help raise your profile
• Why you should choose to focus on things that you can control
• Using a contest to “set a stake in the ground” to mark your progress
• How the contest may pay off several years down the line
• Off stage goals you can set to help propel your career
• One mindset to help you far beyond winning a contest

And much more!

I hope this episode gives you plenty to think about when you sing up for a competition. I would love to hear you success stories!

Best wishes!

NEVER MISS A PODCAST OR POST

Better yet, subscribe to the bi-monthly School of Laughs “Insider Tips” email and get exclusive information delivered right to your inbox. It’s fast, free useful and fun. Email: [email protected] and put “insider tip sheet” in the subject header. I’ll make sure you get the official tip sheet and I promise to keep your email anonymous and spam free.

ABOUT THE SCHOOL OF LAUGHS:

This podcast is a production of the Rik Roberts School Of Laughs. If you want to learn about becoming a stand-up comedian, or just become a better one - visit the wwwSchoolOfLaughs.com web site.

If you enjoy this PODCAST please subscribe in iTunes or STITCHER and leave a comment and ranking.

@SCHOOLOFLAUGHS on Twitter

No doubt about it, at some point in your comedy journey you will be invited to - or thrown in the middle of - a comedy contest. In response to a listener question (thanks Brent!) we spend this episode weighing the pros and cons of participating in comedy competitions.

My first inadvertent night onstage, I found myself the lowest ranking comic in an ongoing contest. Looking back, it was hard to lose since I didn’t know I was even playing. Now, with 23 years under my belt I have some strong opinions on what makes these events worthwhile.

We talk specifically about:

And much more!

I hope this episode gives you plenty to think about when you sing up for a competition. I would love to hear you success stories!

Best wishes!

NEVER MISS A PODCAST OR POST

Better yet, subscribe to the bi-monthly School of Laughs “Insider Tips” email and get exclusive information delivered right to your inbox. It’s fast, free useful and fun. Email: [email protected] and put “insider tip sheet” in the subject header. I’ll make sure you get the official tip sheet and I promise to keep your email anonymous and spam free.

ABOUT THE SCHOOL OF LAUGHS:

This podcast is a production of the Rik Roberts School Of Laughs. If you want to learn about becoming a stand-up comedian, or just become a better one - visit the wwwSchoolOfLaughs.com web site.

If you enjoy this PODCAST please subscribe in iTunes or STITCHER and leave a comment and ranking.

@SCHOOLOFLAUGHS  on Twitter

In episode 36 “Live Writing Session” our producer (and aspiring comedian) Gavin Miller brought in a few concepts to brainstorm. After he pitched a few ideas we decided to work on one that was inspired by a friend of his. In a nutshell, the friend wanted to give homeless people easy access to Facebook so they could feel more connected to society.

For the better part of forty-five minutes we went back and forth offering up ideas and angles for where this loose premise could lead. This is a process I call “EXPAND”.

When we recorded episode 36 we encouraged you to participate and offer your ideas to Gavin via Twitter, FB, etc., It was fun to hear the ideas suggested. In fact, a couple of ideas are now key parts to his joke.

Fast forward to today’s episode. I asked Gavin to come back in with an update on where the brainstorming led. From there we began to “CONDENSE” his material and start creating set-ups, and punch lines.

Throughout this process we discuss:

· Allowing some concepts to fade out for the betterment of the joke

· One angle we should have seen the whole time

· Why giving details is important

· Avoiding ambiguity in your punch lines

· When introducing an antagonist can benefit a joke

· The challenge of writing jokes and being on the air at the same time

Please let us know if you enjoy this type of episode. I will record more with more established comics in the future if these are helpful.

ABOUT THE SCHOOL OF LAUGHS:

This podcast is a production of the Rik Roberts School Of Laughs. If you want to learn about becoming a stand-up comedian, or just become a better one - visit the wwwSchoolOfLaughs.com web site.

If you enjoy this PODCAST please subscribe in iTunes or STITCHER and leave a comment and ranking.

Better yet, subscribe to the bi-monthly School of Laughs “Insider Tips” email and get exclusive information delivered right to your inbox. It’s fast, free useful and fun.

Email: [email protected] and put “insider tip sheet” in the subject header. I’ll make sure you get the official tip sheet and I promise to keep your email anonymous and spam free.

@SCHOOLOFLAUGHS on Twitter

In episode 36 “Live Writing Session” our producer (and aspiring comedian) Gavin Miller brought in a few concepts to brainstorm. After he pitched a few ideas we decided to work on one that was inspired by a friend of his. In a nutshell, the friend wanted to give homeless people easy access to Facebook so they could feel more connected to society. 

For the better part of forty-five minutes we went back and forth offering up ideas and angles for where this loose premise could lead. This is a process I call “EXPAND”.                                                  

When we recorded episode 36 we encouraged you to participate and offer your ideas to Gavin via Twitter, FB, etc., It was fun to hear the ideas suggested. In fact, a couple of ideas are now key parts to his joke. 

Fast forward to today’s episode. I asked Gavin to come back in with an update on where the brainstorming led. From there we began to “CONDENSE” his material and start creating set-ups, and punch lines. 

Throughout this process we discuss:                     

·      Allowing some concepts to fade out for the betterment of the joke

·      One angle we should have seen the whole time

·      Why giving details is important

·      Avoiding ambiguity in your punch lines

·      When introducing an antagonist can benefit a joke

·      The challenge of writing jokes and being on the air at the same time

Please let us know if you enjoy this type of episode. I will record more with more established comics in the future if these are helpful. 

ABOUT THE SCHOOL OF LAUGHS:

This podcast is a production of the Rik Roberts School Of Laughs. If you want to learn about becoming a stand-up comedian, or just become a better one - visit the wwwSchoolOfLaughs.com web site. 

If you enjoy this PODCAST please subscribe in iTunes or STITCHER and leave a comment and ranking.

Better yet, subscribe to the bi-monthly School of Laughs “Insider Tips” email and get exclusive information delivered right to your inbox. It’s fast, free useful and fun.

Email: [email protected] and put “insider tip sheet” in the subject header. I’ll make sure you get the official tip sheet and I promise to keep your email anonymous and spam free.

@SCHOOLOFLAUGHS  on Twitter

Former student Paulina Combow stops by the studios to inspire and inform us of her progress.

Paulina attended college in a small town in Western, KY where she learned Mass Communications. After graduating, she felt a “comedy internal clock” ticking and decided to berth that comedy baby. She started in the Fall of 2011 and hasn’t stopped since.

Paulina is a force of nature. Not only does she co-host a morning radio program and put on three separate independent comedy shows a month, she also finds time to travel to do a few gigs on the road and appear at LaughsFest.

In this episode we talk specifically about:

• One thing she took away from the writing class that put things in perspective for her
• The differences between her open mics at bars and one at the bookstore on Vanderbilt University campus
• Her philosophy on the clean vs dirty debate
• Her list of her “demands" for any venue if they want her to start a comedy show
• The few benefits (and challenges) of being a female comic
• Using her credentials as a radio personality to gain access to venues and entertainers
• Her experience doing a showcase at LaughFest in Grand Rapids, MI

and much, much more!

To find out more about Paulina, visit any and all of the links below!

• Web Site: www.PaulinaCombow.com
• Twitter: @PaulinaGC
• Podcast episodes of her morning show on ITunes: Indie Bohemians Morning Show

Never miss a podcast or post. Subscribe to the Insider Tip Newsletter by emailing [email protected]. Put “Insider Tip Sheet” in the heading to receive a bi-monthly email full of comedy news stories, links to posts, podcasts and more!

Former student Paulina Combow stops by the studios to inspire and inform us of her progress.

Paulina attended college in a small town in Western, KY where she learned Mass Communications. After graduating, she felt a “comedy internal clock” ticking and decided to berth that comedy baby. She started in the Fall of 2011 and hasn’t stopped since.

Paulina is a force of nature. Not only does she co-host a morning radio program and put on three separate independent comedy shows a month, she also finds time to travel to do a few gigs on the road and appear at LaughsFest.

In this episode we talk specifically about:

and much, much more!

To find out more about Paulina, visit any and all of the links below!

Never miss a podcast or post. Subscribe to the Insider Tip Newsletter by emailing [email protected]. Put “Insider Tip Sheet” in the heading to receive a bi-monthly email full of comedy news stories, links to posts, podcasts and more!