being funny

[david90]

Is it possible to learn to be funny? Is being funny a skill or a talent?

 

[playa in trainin']

Originally posted by david90
Is it possible to learn to be funny? Is being funny a skill or a talent?

All of the above. It's a skill, a talent, and it can be learned.

 

[SDBmania]

It depends. I always say, "The best way to be funny is not to try." -SDBmania.

That means that if you are trying too hard to be funny, then it really shows. Can you be taught? Well, to an extant. It's really hard though, if you don't have comedic timing or are not a natural. Some comedians can't write funny, but when givin funny, they can deliever it like clock work.

It sort of depends. But, if you ask me, being funny isn't really important. That's unless you are doing stand up!

If you want to learn how to be funny, one good way is to watch a lot of comedians. That's what I did as a child. I think that's the normal way(of course, I was a natural talent).

 

[evolvingnerd]

i've found that when i'm with my friends i'm pretty funny and always have em laughing a couple of times
i believe that being funny (when ur not really a natural) is dependant on ur comfort level. me for instance can crack em up when i'm with my friends or had a few drinks

i think the goal should be to allow urself to get into a comfort zone, even around stranger (probably ties into confidence) that allows out funny side to shine

 

[Don Pablo]

My particular brand of humor isn't really that funny to chicks, so I have to really have perfect timing and think on my feet. And another thing: Being funny is like trying to fall asleep; the harder you try, the harder it gets, but drugs can help.
(I don't do drugs BTW)

 

[Austin Allegro]

One of the secrets to being funny is being able to 'read' people and situations.

Eg, on a simple level, telling a rude joke might make the men in the pub laugh, but it probably wouldn't go down well at the vicarage tea party. It's all about context and timing.

Observation plays a large part as well. Closely watching how people behave, and noticing their little quirks and oddities, then pointing them out to others, is the basis of a lot of stand up routines.

 

[Don Pablo]

Originally posted by Austin Allegro
One of the secrets to being funny is being able to 'read' people and situations.

Eg, on a simple level, telling a rude joke might make the men in the pub laugh, but it probably wouldn't go down well at the vicarage tea party. It's all about context and timing.

Observation plays a large part as well. Closely watching how people behave, and noticing their little quirks and oddities, then pointing them out to others, is the basis of a lot of stand up routines.

Exactly.

 

[AFK Protector]

Keep on trying....pay attention to your surroundings, and assimilate stuff from other people. I've done it for half a year, and now I'm a natural. Before I was about as funny as . . . well I wasn't funny.

 

[Knicknack]

a good book to help you is "comedy writing secrets."

you need to think of a situation and then write down 5-10 funny things you could say. practice.

let me give you an example. let's say a girl accidentally brushes up against you and says, "i'm sorry."

typical response: "no problem."

now think of some funny things you could say.

"does that work with most guys?"

"we haven't met and you're already getting physical. slow down!!"

"this isn't a petting zoo!! hands off!!!"

"you're going to have to come up with a better way to hit on guys than that"