“There are 207 words in this joke and not a single one is wasted. They’re used either in meaning or in rhythm to contribute to the overall effect, an effect that lets us see the world from a different angle. Like great poetry, great standup comedy is language distilled to its most potent form.”
Even if you never find yourself on a stage telling jokes like Louis CK, this Nerdwriter video that explores how Louis CK tells a joke is worth your time.
It breaks down a great CK joke about playing Monopoly with his daughter and demonstrates how the joke is meticulously crafted and delivered to maximize its impact.
There are lessons to be learned about writing, communicating, and connecting with an audience…plus, a bunch of laughs.
And when you’re done laughing, you might also want to check out Jerry Seinfeld’s 12 rules for doing your best work that I featured in a previous edition of this newsletter.