Every act begins and ends with a joke. But it also begins as a joke. Every comedian knows their best joke: the one that always works. This is the beginning of their act. It might not be the first joke they tell, but is the first joke they write when they list out what they want to be in their show. It is A+ material; and we grade on a curve: there is only one A+.
Some non-dictionary definitions:
Joke: A single unit of comedy. A word, phrase, sentence, or action that attempts to trigger laughter.
Bit: A combination of jokes on the same general topic, emotion, or time period.
Set: A series of bits that comprise a performance.
Act: The collection of bits that a comedian has assembled to create the optimal performance.
Comedians have many ways of writing jokes: listing techniques, writing stories, recalling memories, cataloging their daily life, and probably a dozen more prompts and procedures that create funny statements. However the joke is made it stands alone - waiting for its home.
A bit is created when a comedian has enough related jokes to fit together.
Each set the comedian performs is meant to (1) stand as a successful performance (2) gauge the reaction of the audience to new bits and (3) help develop his or her act.
An act is comprised of a comedian’s best material. This material should come from the same comedic persona and be internally consistent. An act can be delivered as a show, album, or taped performance (usually called a special).
Therefore, Comedians do not write acts (except maybe some Brits). They write jokes, create bits, perform sets, and develop an act.
A bit arises when two or more jokes can be linked together. Some jokes naturally go together. Some jokes multiply with the addition of extra punchlines (tags). Although some comedians have longer bits than others, every comedian has bits. Even one-liner comedians have set-ups with multiple punchlines. Additionally, such comics tend to go from one broad topic to another, rarely coming back to a topic they’ve already touched on.
Sets come about from a variety of factors, many outside the comedians control: How much time are they performing? Who is in the audience? Where is the venue? When is the show? What jokes are they working on? These considerations require different bits and different orders.
An act is how the comedian designs the material to be performed. It is up to them what is strong enough for their act. Also if material paints him as a bachelor in one joke but a married in another, those do not belong in the same act. A comedian can have multiple acts. Usually once an act is “burned” or recorded the comedian moves on to develop a new act.
Now I can share what I have been trying to say: I don’t have an act, yet. But I would like one. So far in 2023 I’ve performed over 100 sets. I have written about 300 jokes. I have 8 or 9 new bits. I think it’s time I think about what I’ve done.
Of the 300 jokes that I’ve written there’s about 3 that I truly love. About 30 are usable. A professional set has about one joke every 11-12 seconds. If I can fit 30 jokes into 5 minutes I think I will have a professional act, albeit a short one. I have gotten booked for some 8-12 minute slots and I find that I am not performing an act in these gigs even though I should be. Instead I am just stretching out material and filling in with weaker bits that I am not proud of, and I believe it shows in my performance.
If I have a tight five minutes that I am truly happy with I will be better a better performer. Even in 10 minute spots if I start with 4 of my tight 5 minutes and end with my tightest minute I will have great sets that I can be happy with and real crowds to work new material on for the remaining time in between.
So I am setting off to assemble my act. I will list the jokes I think are polished and find a way to put them together. My goal is 30 jokes in 5 minutes. 30 B jokes or better. Wish me luck!
Hopefully I will have that act for you all soon. In the meantime, check out my longest bit: 5 minutes on being raised to believe the Earth is flat.
Well your set was well-rounded…none of your jokes fell flat…🌎 🗺