Blog Post #9

This statement was released by Ronnie Willmarth's agent on November 17, 2011:

In his blog post titled, "Blog Post #7", Ronnie attempted to gently poke fun at the Ancient Greeks and in the process he used insensitive terms to describe their culture. He realizes that this was completely uncalled for and feels horrible about offending anyone who was offended by these offensive things. Ronnie is deeply, deeply sorry and is taking a personal sabbatical to work on his inner self.

This statement was released by Ronnie Willmarth's agent on November 17, 2011:

Hey everybody, I've just returned after taking an entire three lines off, and can honestly say I'm a changed man. Thanks to everyone who supported me during this time.

Alright, alright, seriously, it's me now. This mock celebrity-style apology was an example of modern satire, which means that fifty years ago nobody would have thought of it as humorous. Maybe you don't either. If that's the case, you should never have been born. No, wait...whoops! You should have been born fifty years ago. That's what I meant.

In the scheme of comedy history, I am incredibly thankful that I live during the 21st century because comedy is at a very exciting place right now; mainstream and alternative avenues are well-developed with both new and old styles being performed, not to mention that nearly every club in the country has indoor plumbing.

American comedy has been taking huge strides in the last hundred plus years. Let's take a look at a timeline:

We know where we came from, we know where we are, and we have no idea where we're going next. It's exciting! As I mentioned, both mainstream comedy and alternative comedy are popular, which is great. A quick definition of both:

Mainstream comedy: Traditionally rooted, the most popular construct of performance.

Think David Letterman/Jay Leno/Conan O'Brien, Television shows with laugh tracks, Brian Regan, Louis C.K.

Alternative comedy: Traditionally rooted, consciously breaking standardized performance.

Stuff like Tim and Eric Awesome Show Great Job, Demetri Martin, Anthony Jeselnik, Modern Family, anything especially Burlesque.

It's smart to stick to the bread and butter of your time, but comedians are also coming up with new ideas and experimenting. It keeps things from stagnating. We can watch "the Old" and still find it hilarious. A comic mixing "the Old" and "the New" brings fresh perspective, and one trying out "the New" is free to do so and uncover those precious few golden nuggets of genius that the general population approves of.

I suppose it's been this way every decade. It's growth. Learning. There's nothing new under the sun, and already it's apparent that comedy trends run in a circle. But hey, I've never been alive before I was born, so bring it on back and let me experience it in a new way.

Blog Post #8

When you're performing:

You can't be self-conscious.

You can't care at all how you look.

I was talking with some friends today, and I asked them what they felt the greatest asset of their personality was. We talked about each other's strong suits, and when it came to me they all said, "You're funny."

Dissatisfied, I said, "What does that mean? How is it an asset?"

After a pause: "People feel comfortable when you're around. You put them at ease."

I thought about it, and it's true.

Everybody is worried about saying the wrong thing, making an impression, not looking like an idiot. We comedians look like idiots, whether intentionally or not, and we accept it. When people see that, they relax. "Oh, good," they say. "They're looking like the idiot. Glad it's not me!" Hopefully they think about it and notice, "They aren't self-conscious. They don't care at all how they look. Maybe I don't have to either."

You can learn more about someone in an hour of play than a year of conversation. -Plato

Take your work seriously. Don't take yourself seriously. -My father

Blog Post #7

"SEPARATING THE COMEDIAN FROM THEIR WORK", OR, "'DO YOU ACTUALLY MEAN THAT?'"

Part 2 of 2

Today we will be examining an aspect of comedy that is both a blessing and a curse.

That aspect is negativity.

Negativity is powerful. It not only destroys, but stirs a motivated person to rebuild. There's something innately funny about yelling, hearing someone go on a rant, or ridiculing a social construct. Of course, as we discussed in the first few blog posts, these negative sentiments must ring true, not simply be unfounded emotional outbursts or the sounds of a fool spewing folly.

The way I write jokes for stand-up comedy is to probe my topic with these four questions:
What's weird about ______?
What's scary about ______?
What's hard about _______?
What's stupid about ______?

As you can see, these are all negative words. You would be offended if I used them to describe your personality. But, when I get on stage and show people what's weird, scary, hard, and stupid about human nature, our culture, technology, or myself, then they laugh.

Comedians always have a target, and they always aim for a head shot. When a comedian is doing well, the audience says that they're "killing it". Now you know why.

"Everything in moderation, nothing in excess"  -The Ancient Greeks

Oh yeah, Mr. Ancient Greek, with no right arm and a rusty butt-cheek? I say: "Everything in moderation, nothing in excess. Except moderation."

See, comedy is the opposite. Everything in comedy is excess. Even in deadpan or understated humor you still have an excess of something, perhaps sarcasm or drollness.

I often wonder, do I use this type of overstatement too much? Is my sarcasm funny and does it make the point I want it to? Or does it come off as negative, caustic and mean? That's the last thing I want, but sometimes I may be too sincere in my insincerity.

I think of Mark Twain, the most famous American satirist. There really is "truth in jest", but he believed the totality of his negative satire and was pessimistic and unhappy. I believe that negativity is funny because we know we live in a fallen existence, not a hopeless one. I wonder what heaven will be like when we laugh because of positivity.

Any satirical form of comedy requires insincerity. It serves as counterpoint, in a way. The key is to use it sparingly; as a tool instead becoming a tool of it. Honest, non-satirical relationships are more important in life than comedy, and you can't have them if you aren't a sincere person at your core.

On the flipside, people like to watch someone be in character. Even though you have a thousand sarcastic things to say about everything and everyone doesn't mean that you mean them. Sometimes you do and sometimes you don't. Maybe you're just saying it because it's funny.

Blog Post #6

"Separating the Comedian From Their Work", or, "'Why Did You Want to Meet Me, Again?'"

(Part 1 of 2)

I love comedy, I really do, but I do it because it's fun.

I'm not an obsessed exhibitionist, or one of those people so fanatical about something that they convulse and bleed from the eyes when you so much as mention the subject.

Of course, I'm passionate. The title of this blog is "I'm a comedian" because it's something that I love doing and it's a big part of who I am.

But it's not who I am.

The blog isn't named "I'm comedian" for obvious grammatical purposes, but also because it's NOT WHO I AM.

There's a stereotype that people hold whenever they hear that someone is a comedian. Whenever they see one on stage, or doing something to get a laugh.

"They're funny, so they must not be serious."

Yep, you got me! I have blatant disregard for everything! And I go through life without a care in the world.

Comedians are among the lucky few who get judged simply by reputation. It's uncalled for, because I don't judge anybody else based on their hobby:

   Person: "I've been riding horses since I was 12."

   Me: "Oh yeah!? I bet you're a horrible father!"

Comedians are normal people. We might think differently, but we have all the same humanity of anybody else with a body, mind, and soul. We've got thick enough skin to not be bothered by corporate opinion, but it's tough to get close to people when they have preconceived notions. Why can't comedians be low-key people with other pursuits and an interest in deep relationships?

Of course comedians perform when there's an audience, whether formally or in an everyday interaction. I know that I am an incurable extrovert. But I'm not a clown in private. Most of the time.

"Stand-up comedy is hard, lonely, and vicious."
-Will Ferrell

Blog Post #5

As a comedian I am often asked, "Do you get nervous being on-stage?" The answer is no. There is nothing about a stage that frightens me. However, I do get nervous performing for people.

It's a good kind of nervous; the kind of nervous where you think to yourself, "This is going to be really fun!" while your leg shakes; the kind of nervous where you can feel the pressure of a situation and you know that how you perform will determine everything. I love that.

Like everything else, if you do it enough times you get used to it and you get better at handling it. My leg doesn't shake anymore unless I've eaten an inordinate amount of Kit-Kat bars.

Stand-up comedian's view of the audience

Most of you readers are not comedians, but I've got a few public speaking tips to give you that will help you any time you're speaking in public.  Not only will these tips help calm your nerves, they will also help you do a good job. Trust me, those are two separate things. There are a lot of confident people who are terrible public speakers.

Tip #1: Gain some perspective

Public speaking is commonly said to be people's #1 fear, and I feel the need to debunk that rumor. Being eaten alive by a velociraptor is my #1 fear, and it should be yours too. 

Tip #2: Don't be "professional"

Even if you're supposed to be! Anybody can put on a suit and give a monotone speech while smiling and referring to a Powerpoint. Be unique and let the audience see you as you are. Entertain them. Jokes and stories are effective ways to illustrate a point. People expect a professional (i.e. Serious) presentation, so shake up the deck a little bit. It will be "off the cuff" and they'll like it as long as it's good.

Tip #3: Communicate efficiently

"He is a well-liked speaker who quickly after saying, 'Hello' says, 'In conclusion.'"   -Dead person

It's true though. Craft your speech beforehand so it flows well. Be concise.

Tip #4: Be opinionated

Tell the audience what they don't want to hear. Open up a controversy. It's much more interesting. They will actually listen to you because 1) You will be engaging solely on the basis that you are giving your opinion to them, and 2) They will feel the need to respond to what you say, whether to agree or disagree.  This can backfire on audiences who carry concealed weapons.

Tip #5: Develop your own style
"But Ronnie," you say. "I don't have a style!" Sure you do. Your words, mannerisms, and attitude are unique characteristics.  These are great starting points to developing a style. Maybe you need to change some things about yourself to be a better public speaker, like if you, like, say the word "like", like all the time.

But on the other hand, if you're known for being ditzy, you can embrace that as part of your persona and speak at a faster pace, use longer sentences, and make really simple, obvious points that show just how hard you had to think to logically connect the dots. Then, you draw a profound conclusion based on your logic and drive it home. The audience will love it. Classic bait-and-switch.

Tip #1.6: Realize that people won't like you
This tip is labeled "Tip #1.6" because it is of first importance but I saved it for last so that you would remember it.

Anytime you give a speech and it goes really well, 80% of the audience will like it.  At most.

I call this theory "The Bell Curve of Speaking".  It follows the model of the Bell Curve, which was named after the 20th century philosopher, Edward Curve. Look closely:

As you can see, the curve represents 80% (the majority) of the audience with a 10% remnant on either end. Of the remnant groups, one will hate you and the other will love you.  The 80% in between will split pretty evenly between liking you and being indifferent.

Take solace in this diagram. Now you don't have to worry about whether people will like you or not, you already know! Of course, there is wiggle room. If you're a really great speaker then maybe 20% of the people will love you, 75% will like you/be indifferent and 5% will hate you. Don't worry, you'll never give a speech where 100% of the audience hates you. The highest possible case is 99%.

Thus concludes my thoughts on public speaking. Sorry if this was too real. I'm just trying to help you gain some perspective through an unprofessional presentation by efficiently communicating my opinion on the subject in my own unique style. I bet some of you hate me.

Blog Post #4

We're going to jump right in to the second half of this lesson, so if you haven't read Blog Post #3, go back and do so.

Joke Structure: Attitude + Topic + Premise + Act-out + Mix + Act-out
The Setup (Serious): Attitude + Topic + Premise
The Funny (Funny): Act-out + Mix + Act-out
-Comprised of the last 3 parts of a joke:
-The performance part of the joke

Act-out

-You turn into the people or things in the Setup and act them out. Impressions, funny voices, or motions are Act-outs

- Gets the biggest laughs.

Mix

-Takes the joke in a new direction by connecting an element that doesn't associate. Funny in the way you connect it.

-Asks the question, "What if...?" 

-Mix examples: What if environmentalists freaked out every fall when the leaves fell off the trees? Or what if the Discovery Channel interviewed animals on their shows? (These are my jokes, don't steal them! You can do better)

-Not every joke has a Mix. They must retain the element of surprise.

               

Act-out

-Act-out of the mix

As a special little treat, I will diagram one of my jokes for you according to traditional joke structure:

(Topic, Attitude, Premise) "Talking about the weather is the most default, surface level topic. I feel bad for weathermen. Their whole job is to relive all of the boring conversations you've ever had. One day one of them is going to snap: 

(Act Out) (pointing at map): 'It’s been nice out recently, but this weekend it might rain…(breaking down) WHO CARES!? Seriously! This map isn't even real!'
(Mix) The one thing weathermen have going for them is that they can be wrong. I don’t know of another profession where you have that kind of leniency. Nobody would put up with a doctor who constantly misdiagnosed people:
(Act Out) 'We initially thought you had cancer of the liver, but now it appears that you've been the victim of a shark attack. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids and you’ll be fine!'”

Blog Post #3

People just want to laugh, and people laugh at things that are funny, but what makes something funny?

You could divide "funny" into two categories: Intentional Funniness and Unintentional Funniness.

Intentional Funniness is comedy performance, or joke telling.  Unintentional Funniness is everything else.  A few examples of "Unintentional Funniness" would be:

Situational humor: A gentleman is deep in conversation with the beautiful woman he is attempting to romance, unaware of the fact that there is a very noticeable dablet of cream cheese frosting hanging from his lip

Visual humor: Children being chased by a goat wearing a tutu

Get the idea?  They're not jokes, but they're funny.  Anyway, now we can talk about

What makes jokes funny:

I will preface this section by saying that everything I learned comes from my own life experience, and also Judy Carter's book, The Comedy Bible.

Joke Structure:

Attitude + Topic + Premise + Act-out + Mix + Act-out

It's not a math problem.  Notice that there are five "plus signs" and no "equals sign".  That would be a stupid math problem.  If you are a mathematician and you know that in some obscure way this really could be a math problem, then I stand corrected.  You people are weirder than I previously thought.

Joke structure is best seen in stand-up comedy, but all types of comedy, including improv scenes and sitcom plots follow this joke structure too.  Here it is broken down even further into two parts:

Attitude + Topic + Premise = The Setup (Serious)

Act-out + Mix + Act-out = The Funny (Funny)

The Setup (Serious)

-Comprised of the first three parts of a joke: Attitude + Topic + Premise = The Setup.

-Not the funniest part of a joke, but the most important

-Must capture the audience's attention at the beginning.

In a very mathematician-like move, I'm going to start with the second step:

Topic:

-The audience must know what you are talking about, otherwise they won't care.  Real, sincere, and authentic topics are ones that you as a comedian are passionate about AND that others can relate to.

Attitude:

-Gives the joke energy and direction.  Anything without attitude is just literary.
-How do you feel about the topic?  Is it weird?  Scary?  Hard?  Stupid?

-Keep the attitude going throughout the whole joke.

Premise:

-Your point of view on the topic.  An insightful observation.

-Your premise must be TRUE!  Be genuine.

We're halfway through our dissection of a joke!  So far you've learned how to be serious.  Next blog post we'll go over The Funny part of a joke.