DeepSummary
In this episode, Wendy Zuckerman interviews comedian Tig Notaro about her approach to comedy and how she constructs jokes. Notaro shares that she realized being a comedian was a profession when she was getting in trouble in school for her humorous behavior. She explains that she builds her jokes based on a single word, sentence, or idea, and works them out in front of a live audience rather than writing them out beforehand.
Zuckerman asks Notaro about theories of humor, such as the elements of surprise and incongruity, and Notaro discusses how she thinks about these concepts in her comedy. They also share some of their favorite jokes, including the one voted the funniest joke in the world in a scientific study: "Two hunters are out in the woods. When one of them collapses. He doesn't seem to be breathing, and his eyes are glazed. The other guy whips out his phone, calls for emergency services. He gasps, my friend is dead. What can I do? And the operator says, calm down. I can help. Let's first make sure that he's dead. There's a silence. Then a shot is heard. Bang. Back on the phone. The guy says, ok, so now what?"
Notaro shares some of her favorite silly jokes, including one about performing oral sex on Willie Nelson, and they discuss what makes these jokes funny. The episode provides an inside look at a professional comedian's process and perspective on what makes something humorous.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Comedian Tig Notaro has an unconventional approach to joke writing, starting with a single word or idea and developing the full joke live in front of audiences.
- Notaro records her live shows and refines the jokes based on audience reactions, retrying bits to find the best punchlines and pacing.
- Surprise, incongruity, and pointing out the overlooked ridiculousness in everyday life are key elements that Notaro believes makes things funny.
- The episode shares some famously silly and stupid jokes, including the one voted the 'funniest joke in the world' in a scientific study.
- Notaro provides insight into a professional comedian's creative process and perspective on humor.
- Comedy allows comedians to point out the humor in aspects of life the audience takes for granted.
- Working jokes out live in front of an audience is an important part of Notaro's process for developing her comedy material.
- Finding the right single word choices can make or break a joke for getting laughs.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “I just take a list of ideas onto stage with me, and then I work them out right there in front of a live audience.“ by Tig Notaro
- “An idea, a concept, because I don't sit behind a computer and write out my material.“ by Tig Notaro
- “You know, I might record my show on my phone and then go back and listen to it and recognize these moments, that the reaction is way more heightened. And then I'll think, oh, okay, I'll go back and say that again.“ by Tig Notaro
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Episode Information
Science Vs
Spotify Studios
5/7/24