How to Write a Joke

What It Covers

Comedy writer Elliot Kailin, former Daily Show head writer, explains his systematic approach to writing jokes on demand called joke farming, breaking down the mechanical process of constructing humor into repeatable steps.

Key Questions Answered

• •Joke Farming Process: Professional comedy requires a systematic method with six steps: identify the joke teller, determine the point (message), create a premise (what-if scenario), build structure (information release order), set tone, and consider audience reaction.
• •Heightening and Subversion: Structure jokes by establishing a pattern with escalating examples (least to most exaggerated), then disrupt expectations at the end. The John Kerry France joke used French fries, French bulldogs, French maid, then subverted with Heinz mustard instead of French.
• •Joke Density Management: Mystery Science Theater 3000 audience feedback revealed too many jokes prevents processing time. Season two reduced joke frequency to let strongest jokes breathe, allowing audiences to fully laugh before the next punchline arrives, improving overall reception.
• •Precision in Language: The fewer words used to deliver a joke, the better. Rita Rudner's breakup joke relies entirely on the word him in the phrase I didn't want him to, packing maximum meaning into minimal language for clearer audience comprehension.