Your First Choice Usually Isn’t the Best Joke… And That’s OK.

Matt Kazam

May 15 • General discussion

One of the biggest problems newer comedians and writers have is they think every line has to be perfect the first time.

It doesn’t.

Professional comedians make choices.

A lot of them.

Because sometimes the first line isn’t “the line”… it’s just a placeholder so you don’t get stuck.

That’s one of the biggest differences between experienced comedians and newer comics: we know how to KEEP MOVING.

George Carlin always said that last thing he did when writing a standup routine was to "punch it up" ... go through what he had already written and rewrite it using different words and phrases and timing to bring more energy and spark to it.

“Punch up” writing has been a longstanding and vital practice in Hollywood since the first screenplay was written and there is evidence that even William Shakespeare would often apply this finishing touch on many of his works.

Going back through the material and rewriting words, phrases, timing and imagery to make the joke hit harder.

Because words on a page are a living organism.

They evolve.

And there are always ways to make them:

• sharper

• funnier

• more vivid

• more memorable

• more impactful

That process doesn’t just apply to stand-up comedy either.

It applies to:

podcasts, speeches, keynotes, sales, storytelling, content creation and everyday communication.