I saw this ad somewhere on the net for an ebook that taught how to
make jokes. I can’t remember who wrote it, but that got me
thinking.

I want to know what resources there are on the internet for learning
how to be funny, to the point of being able to be a stand-up comedian.

Ebooks are OK (and I’d like to know what that ebook was; it could have
been a wizard ebook), but I’m more interested in free stuff, such as
tutorials, dedicated websites, and the like.

Hi! Thanks for the interesting question.

Askmen.com has a lengthy article on how to be funny around people.
Some of the tips given out in the article are the following:

1. Smiling is infectious. 
2. Be animated and energetic when telling a story.  . 
3. Be blunt to surprise people.
4. Your timing should be right. 
5. Don't laugh before the punch line. 
6. Know your audience

There are more tips on the article itself.

“How To: Be Funny”
By Justin Becker
http://www.askmen.com/fashion/how_to/57_how_to.html 

The About.com website has tons of tips and resources on how to be
funny, including tips for stand-up comedians.

“How to Tell a Joke”
http://humor.about.com/c/ht/00/07/How_Tell_Joke0962934294.htm 

“Humor How To's and Funny Tutorials”
http://humor.about.com/cs/tutorials/ 

I also found these web pages, which gives tips on how to write comedy.

“How to: Write Comedy”
http://www.thestage.co.uk/connect/howto/funnyhaha01.shtml 

“The Complete Moron's Guide to Comedy Writing”
http://www.discountcomedy.com/Essays/HowTo.html 

“What's So Funny? Comedy Writing Tips”
By Lisha Goldberg
http://www.rooftopsessions.com/ComedyTipsnaked.htm 

Search terms used:        
“how to be funny” tips
"how to write comedy" tips
   
I hope these links would help you in your research. Before rating this
answer, please ask for a clarification if you have a question or if
you would need further information.
       
Thanks for visiting us.       
       
Regards,       
Easterangel-ga       
Google Answers Researcher

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Request for Answer Clarification by markabe-ga on 10 Feb 2003 00:33 PST

easterangel-ga,

I checked out the links, and they seem to deal with how to perform
comedy. I am looking more for resources on how to create my own comedy
material.

Also, did you have any luck finding that ebook?

---

Clarification of Answer by easterangel-ga on 10 Feb 2003 02:28 PST

Hi again and thanks for asking a clarification before making a rating.

Here is a great article which provides tips on making comedy material
especially for the stand-up comedy circuit.

Dana Snow's The Art of Comedy - Homepage
http://www.breakaway.org/openstudio/danasnow/wr/wr-home.htm

"WRITING JOKES FOR STAND-UP COMICS"
By Peter J. Fogel 
http://www.writersweekly.com/articles/090402-01.html

Other resources I found are the following:

"Creating Comedy Characters"
http://www.robinkelly.btinternet.co.uk/ccc.htm

"Writing Comedy"
http://www.wordup.co.uk/

Since you did not say what was the title of the ebook, it was quite
difficult. but I found this ebook titled ""Get Paid to Make People
Laugh". It was based on an interview by WZ.com on humor coach John
Cantu.

"Get Paid to Make People Laugh"
http://www.thatscomedy.com/laughbook.htm

Could this be the ebook you are looking for? It comes from WZ.com but
the website does not function anymore but you can still buy the book
tohrough a vendor.

In case this is not the information you want please ask another
clarification and I will try to find the resource you require.

Thanks!

---

Clarification of Answer by easterangel-ga on 10 Feb 2003 02:49 PST

To somewhat make-up for the ebook (incase that is not the one you
require), i found this list of books about creating comedy material.

Comedy Writing Books
http://www.planetcomedy.co.uk/top10books.html

Thanks again for visitng us.

Easterangel-ga

Despite not finding the ebook (a tough task when I don't know the
title) a very good answer.

Markabe,

Inspiring to your quest should be the struggles of Rupert Pupkin
(Robert de Niro) in this great 1983 Scorsese movie:

The King of Comedy (at IMDB)
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0085794

For writing comedy material, as well as dealing with other parts of
the comedy business, I personally recommend The Comedy Bible by Judy
Carter. It's available at her website: http://www.comedyworkshops.com

Good Luck,
ravuri-ga