I have decided to keep and archive Gary Gulman’s comedy tips, as I believe his insight into comedy can be valuable to other comics.
1)Record every set. The hard part: Listen to it and transcribe everything you want to say again. It’s sometimes depressing but it gets you to do the hardest part which is to sit down and write. Usually you’ll think of something to add or change. This works for me.
— (((Gary Gulman))) (@GaryGulman) January 1, 2019
2)Write out a favorite joke word for word 1 sentence at a time. After completing each sentence, analyze each word. Why does it work? How do the syllables of the words create rhythm? How do the sentences build to the punchline? What’s the grammar of comedy? #GulManTip #WriteNow
— (((Gary Gulman))) (@GaryGulman) January 2, 2019
3)Go through an old notebook/file. You will probably find a premise/sentence/phrase that you forgot. (I found a promising joke in a notebook from 2015 yesterday.) Rewrite your promising idea with the skill you’ve earned since you first wrote it down. #GulManTip #WriteNow
— (((Gary Gulman))) (@GaryGulman) January 3, 2019
4)Procrastinating? Open your notebook/laptop. Set a timer to your favorite number between 15 and 19 minutes. WRITE UNTIL THE TIMER GOES OFF. NO CHECKING YOUR PHONE! If you feel like it,and you usually will, keep writing. #GulManTip #WriteNow #17
— (((Gary Gulman))) (@GaryGulman) January 5, 2019
5)Mark Twain said, and I’m paraphrasing, “The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.” You’ve been meaning to do this. Go through your jokes and add some lightning TODAY. #GulmanTip #WriteNow pic.twitter.com/nghIy3g0VP
— (((Gary Gulman))) (@GaryGulman) January 5, 2019
6)Words with the sound “buh” “puh” and “kuh” esp. @ the beginning/end are funnier. No1 knows why. “Buick” is funnier than “Nissan”. I learned this early. I assumed everyone knew. They don’t. Take some soft punch-words and replace them with a b/p/k sound. #GulManTip #WriteNow
— (((Gary Gulman))) (@GaryGulman) January 6, 2019
7)Find a comic friend to call/meet and go over jokes/premises/ideas. Play “Is This Funny?” Be honest but gentle & DON’T JUST WAIT UNTIL ITS YOUR TURN! Tell them if you’ve heard similar bits! 2 people is best more is ok. It’s one of the most fun and helpful exercises. #GulManTip
— (((Gary Gulman))) (@GaryGulman) January 7, 2019
8)When trying out new jokes you have to be PREPARED. Start with a few proven jokes to make sure the crowd is receptive and so you can get a gauge on the volume of the laughter. Make sure you have a good one loaded to follow the new one in case it dies. #GulManTip #WriteNow #101
— (((Gary Gulman))) (@GaryGulman) January 8, 2019
9)Cannibalize your act. Go through your joke inventory and relocate some jokes or pieces of jokes. Add them to jokes that are working to add some density to your act. You just need to take some time to find a connection. #GulManTip #WriteNow
— (((Gary Gulman))) (@GaryGulman) January 9, 2019
10)Get on stage! Writing a joke down is less than 50% of the process. You need to get on stage a ridiculous amount before you figure out how to write for Standup audiences. I chose 5/week (arbitrarily) as my MINIMUM when I began. #GulManTip #WriteNow
— (((Gary Gulman))) (@GaryGulman) January 10, 2019
11)Had a bad set? Go home and write. Had a great set? Go home and write. Bumped by Bob Saget? Go home and write. Few things can offset the feelings of helplessness in show business than engaging in one of the few things over which you have total control. #GulManTip #WriteNow
— (((Gary Gulman))) (@GaryGulman) January 11, 2019
12)Read Emerson’s “Self Reliance” NOW! Already read it? READ IT AGAIN. There is gold within. It will be the least popular tip so far but it’s actually the most valuable tip yet. Free copy: https://t.co/CeAPOZTMBc #GulManTip #WriteNow #ReadNow #RIF Donate to Wikipedia to thank me!
— (((Gary Gulman))) (@GaryGulman) January 12, 2019
13)I have this framed on a wall next to the bed. I interpret it as endorsed permission to fail. Go on stage tonight and do something you’re afraid to do, that you’re almost certain will fail. (Unless it’s an important show.) #GulManTip #WriteNow pic.twitter.com/CQwXsIRYtw
— (((Gary Gulman))) (@GaryGulman) January 13, 2019
14)Best insight I ever got came two shows in: Nearly all of your work will come from other comedians. Be a good coworker. Don’t run the light. Be original. Be supportive. WRITE A LOT! BE KIND! #GulManTip #WriteNow
— (((Gary Gulman))) (@GaryGulman) January 14, 2019
15)You know that joke you’re sick of telling? Write/type it w/ space in between each sentence. Add some details, change a word or unpack an idea. To me, unless it’s on a Special a joke isn’t done. When the audience is mouthing the words with you it’s done. #GulManTip #WriteNow
— (((Gary Gulman))) (@GaryGulman) January 15, 2019
16)Be the comedian you wanted to see. Think about the things that you wished someone made jokes about when you sat in the audience. Make a list of topics and ideas that you’d be EXCITED to see someone discuss. Become that comedian. You’ve got 30 years. #GulManTip #WriteNow
— (((Gary Gulman))) (@GaryGulman) January 16, 2019
17)You’ve been killing every night. You’re not sure this is still a challenge. For the next few months ask to go on first. It’s a great test of your act. The booker and host will love you for it. #GulManTip #WriteNow
— (((Gary Gulman))) (@GaryGulman) January 17, 2019
18)Read books. Listen to Audio Books. You need a huge inventory of words to write interesting jokes. If you bombard your brain with words it will improve your writing. You’ll also learn new ideas and insights to write about. LOOK UP THE WORDS YOU DON’T KNOW.#GulManTip #WriteNow
— (((Gary Gulman))) (@GaryGulman) January 18, 2019
19)Use variety in your words. Don’t keep using the same word. If you use a word that is crucial to your punchline you should try not to use it before then because it will diminish the impact. This is where listening to your sets is so helpful. #GulManTip #WriteNow
— (((Gary Gulman))) (@GaryGulman) January 19, 2019
20)Today, try to eliminate those verbal tics. The “and aaaahs” (I Call it Miller-ing) after the flat punchline, the “What else…” when you forget your next bit. The ahms, y’knows and stammers that muddy your rhythm. Again, record and LISTEN to your set! #GulManTip #WriteNow
— (((Gary Gulman))) (@GaryGulman) January 20, 2019
21)I could never prove it but I believe that young Jews started walking a bit taller in 1995. I did. That was the year Adam Sandler released The Chanukah Song. Comedy is influential. Comedians are powerful. Just jokes??? #Preachy #GulManTip #WriteNow #GoldieHawn!
— (((Gary Gulman))) (@GaryGulman) January 21, 2019
22)You can learn by watching the other comics on your show. The great ones will teach and inspire and the bad ones’ shortcomings are instructive. You can assess the crowd and note overused premises to avoid. Also you may be able to offer a peer a good idea.#GulManTip #WriteNow
— (((Gary Gulman))) (@GaryGulman) January 22, 2019
23)Timing. Some say it’s “essential” others “useless”.You can get by with lousy timing but you can soar with great timing. It can take thousands of shows to figure it out. EXPERIMENT every show to see what works best. Some day you’ll just feel it. #GulManTip #WriteNow #heuristic
— (((Gary Gulman))) (@GaryGulman) January 23, 2019
24)There are things you’ve become expert in because of passion. List them and write jokes about them. Writing informed by a vast knowledge in unusual subjects will lead to original compelling jokes. @pattonoswalt is King of this. Today, mine your obsessions. #GulManTip #WriteNow
— (((Gary Gulman))) (@GaryGulman) January 24, 2019
25)There is no shame in working a day job. Take notes. Caddyshack was inspired by writers’ memories of working at a snooty golf club. The insight your experience will bring to a joke/sitcom/screenplay is priceless. Today write about a job. #GulManTip #WriteNow #Tip24PigInTheCity
— (((Gary Gulman))) (@GaryGulman) January 25, 2019
26)Today go through your joke inventory. Write/type it out. Identify or create logical connections between jokes and combine them. It can be easier to hold a crowd’s attention when you stay on topic longer. Have a good show tonight! #GulManTip #WriteNow Shabbat Shalom!
— (((Gary Gulman))) (@GaryGulman) January 26, 2019
27A)You will be designing your set with a Producer. Most of them are excellent and can provide valuable insight. JP at Conan and Jessica at Colbert have been TREMENDOUS. Be polite and professional. Make a case for your preferences but don’t be a pain in the ass. #GulManTip
— (((Gary Gulman))) (@GaryGulman) January 27, 2019
27B)This seems obvious but practice the set in front of as many crowds as possible, good and bad, until you’re sick of it. Especially if it’s your first time, you want to know it cold. #GulManTip
— (((Gary Gulman))) (@GaryGulman) January 27, 2019
27C)Video if possible so you can eliminate the physical habits that annoy you. See what you look like on tv so you can adjust to look like you want to. Make changes to tighten the set, squeezing in as many laughs as you can. Just clear changes with the Producer. #GulManTip
— (((Gary Gulman))) (@GaryGulman) January 27, 2019
28)One thing to take the stress out of a TV set or any big show is to ignore the 8 Mile idea that you only get “one shot”. NONSENSE!!! If you’re nice and WRITE you’ll get 60+ shots. It’s an ultra-marathon. B Rabbit got a second shot later that month! PERSIST. #GulManTip #WriteNow
— (((Gary Gulman))) (@GaryGulman) January 28, 2019