Do I Test My First Set in Front of Friends?

[@Dorky_Yorkie]

I started writing jokes about 1 1/2 years ago without any thought whatsoever of doing stand-up. After I wrote my first joke I called my brother and told him and he laughed and said it was really good. I started writing more jokes and telling more people. Everyone I’ve told thinks they’re hilarious except my wife. I have a dark sense of humor and almost all of my jokes are really dark. I’ve been encouraged to do an open mic. As I started to consider it, I found your channel and have watched your videos a few times.

[@JerryCorley]

That’s fun! I had the same issue with my wife. Basically our spouses see us for who they think we are.

[@LeeComedyCave]

That "so I divorce her" punchline was crazy lmao 😂

[@LudGC]

he really did

[@barfy.man3624]

One of his ex wife died , he was sad because it was the wrong one

[@tuhhlerrr]

The fact that he actually did is wild lol

[@bernarddahl]

Jerry, I'm finding so much value in your videos, thanks for doing what you do. I'm off to my first open mics this week, so pumped, and I feel like you've made me a better comic before I even go "on the record". Hell yeah, brother, hell yeah.

[@jackielinde7568]

Twenty odd years ago, I tried stand-up, and twice I tried to test my material on a friend and on my mom... And both times had an interesting result: They jumped in and talked to me as if we were having a conversation, knowing FULL WELL I was trying to test material on them. Yeah. The funny thing was, the gig I was trying to practice for was my friend's parent's party. Eh, I bombed it, but they started to enjoy the jokes at the end. (and I got busy with a night job and let further opportunities slip.) My daughter says I need to get out and try again. Mostly, I think it's because she wants the house to herself.

[@sja6331]

Try again! In life you can live with a lot of things, regret for something you would have really enjoyed shouldn’t be one of them! Maybe this time don’t try your stuff out on family, open mics are more helpful! 👍🏽

[@user-vt3vo1yd3v]

Have you tried again? If yes, how’s it going/ how did it go?

[@jaysonp9426]

Video starts at 4:24

[@felicity4711]

I like laughing at the other comics’ jokes at open mikes. I’ll generally give a friendly chuckle by default, with an extra-hearty laugh if I really like a joke. I’ve noticed that other comics laugh when one of my jokes bombs. Good to know that it’s a supportive “We’ve all been there” laugh! Also good to know that I should practice the new jokes 25 times before going on-stage. Usually I procrastinate and write five new jokes in the two hours before the open mike, and the only rehearsal time I have is in the car on the way there. More practice might help them land better. It’s at a bar with patrons that are watching sports and are not fully engaged and I get the feeling there’s a much thinner margin of error with them than with a comedy club crowd that came to laugh and wants to laugh. So I have to get it right the first time!

[@janitorandalifecoach2112]

I find i can't try stuff in front of family or close friends or GF I need the "I'll never see these ppl again" element to flow right and show out I'm way to tight in front of ppl i care about thinking I'm a idiot or talking behind my back.

[@brunomillalaf8553]

Janitor and a Life coach once you learn how to do standup in front of loved ones you’ll be unstoppable

[@jjmiles7173]

I'm reserving my super edgy jokes for my (non blood/or marriage related) family. The people I perform for during Open Mic will get the slightly tamed ones.

[@stopmakingsense1543]

I am 55 years old. On a whim and to tick it off my bucket list, I did my first set (around 7 minutes) last year while on an annual camping event where there is a talent show. About a third to half of the 120+ people there knew me, the rest not. Since then I have run into people who were there who have told me that they wanted me to keep going. Unfortunately, our time was kind of restricted. My opener came to me about 2 minutes before I walked on stage and there was laughter throughout. I'm gonna do it again in a few weeks and I'm both nervous and excited about it. Still working on my set from the 1 hour + material I've written. I also approached someone I know who owns a small club where they have shows to maybe do a longer set. The more I do it, the more I'm hooked!! Thanks for all your insight!!!

[@Sippincoffe]

Glad to have you back. Hope you enjoyed the break. I’ve really been benefiting from your knowledge. I recently took a second job...a part time job to try and save up to pay for some private help from you. Planning to do my first open mic the first week of March. Thanks for all you do!!

[@leandrodivera]

Precious information, thanks for posting this! The spouse thing is sooo true and the Gap Theory approach is really something to keep in mind

[@bonkahermitakaintjudge9228]

You brought up an interesting point. If your friends tend to be critical of you (and I agree that they tend to be more critical than others toward you) would you say that it is safe to say that If you have all of your friends constantly laughing at your jokes and they even start smiling the second you walk into the room that you are at least a little amusing lol? Thanks for your presentation. Truly a rewarding listen

[@JerryCorley]

Oh yeah. When they say you’re funny, then you’re funny because they are the first ones to say “shut up, dude, you’re not funny” The key is taking that attitude up on stage.

[@JaMarrJ]

Hey Jerry, you are the man! I love your love for the craft and the community can’t wait to work with you and raise the comedy vibrations!! ❤️

[@ahmadhassounmusic6053]

I'm in Germany , the hardest place to make people laugh , specially in English I wish that i can find comedy workshop

[@spellwhisperrr]

they are a lot but they all suck ,cus all of the comedians in germany just steal english language based jokes and tell in german

[@posarandposer]

How many Germans does it take to screw in a lightbulb? One, they are very efficient and have no sense of humor. Tell that to a German... it’s awkward. 😆

[@davidjohncomedy6319]

Thank you, great advice! One thing I have found as I write material is I come back to it later..a day, a week, a month and see if I still find it as funny. If so, then it is ready to be tested with an audience. Many jokes aren't as strong later as I thought when I wrote them. So those need to be reworked or set aside for now.

[@stephanielobo1234]

Your videos have been very helpful but I need more my good sir. I have a question I hope you can answer. Is there anyway I can come in and sit in your class if you still have any now? Also I want to know if I should have a clean set for my first open mic.

[@GloriaReyesUrKrazzyMom]

maybe..... you would not be able to sit but you can stand up

[@JerryCorley]

Hi Stephanie. Thanks for your comment. I allow anyone to sit in a class to check it out. Contact my assistant prstandupcomedyclinic.com for info.

[@LeeComedyCave]

I like the new intro to the vid Jerry. Hope u enjoy you vaca and happy new years. Thanks for all you hard work.

[@LudGC]

with LOve thank you for the great knowledge

[@kevinr8692]

Lmfao the first wife jokes were awesome!

[@davidhoj]

Love the Uncomfortably Funny reaction on jokes tanking

[@Mychannel-fw5mb]

Thanks for this channel brother …I’ve always wanted to do standup…I will enjoy watching your vids..never mind me Iam usually baked this time of night and might try to add in dumb comments 🤷🏻 🔥 🌳 💨

[@jjmiles7173]

Anyone ever been to Choo Choo's Open Mic(In Chattanooga TN)? Going to start doing their Open Mic Nights once this Lockdown ends.

[@sja6331]

Just make a start buddy! Ask someone to record you it will help you improve and analyse yourself 😊 good luck

[@lloydjoseph1652]

The Microsoft theory lol, I never thought about it that way, but it makes complete sense, new software still crashes, and youtube/Internet still freezes or lags but at least it's out there, and at least its getting better

[@TheScripflipNetwork]

Thanks doc 👍

[@lostmind8781]

I'm a 19 year old Somali Kenyan that wants to start comedy in Kenya but there isn't a lot of options here I really have a talent and people here like speaking Swahili rather than English and I prefer telling jokes in English how can you help please respond

[@lostmind8781]

@@amluzia thanks friend

[@MarkJanov]

I’m at work (9-5 job) and I burst out laughing at the anal rape comment. That was very funny. My psychiatric patients think I am hearing voices and responding to some internal stimuli as I listen to to your KZbin video in my ear while walking around observing my patients.

[@Observ45er]

Hi Jerry, I've been testing jokes when any opportunity arises in every day life. Just one, perhaps two, but not a set or even a complete routine of several jokes.....Store clerks, waiting in line, meeting someone on a hike, or walking their dog on the street in front of my house or a neighbor. I look for some trigger to try one, or squeeze something related in. Frequently the situation suggests something and it may be a joke I wrote, or it may be a premise I act on right then. Sometimes there is something that just lands in your lap and you have no choice but to take it, then and there. .. I also tested some when working a family garage sale. The test audience comes to you. All strangers I figure is better because your friends know you and are more likely to "know your humor" and be biased to laugh. The stranger is like a random audience. .. If I'm away from home and something occurs to me, I call and leave a message on the answering machine. It's terrible when you think of something, then get distracted and forget it... . I've also put all my jokes in a spreadsheet with the premises I haven't honed into a joke yet and try to categorize and score them.. ... I can't help it. I'm a recovering engineer. Thanks for engineering the craft as you have. It readily fits in my brain.

[@chrisgorman3821]

Thanks Jerry 😊

[@GloriaReyesUrKrazzyMom]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge Doctor!!!! you are AWE!!!! some :) i love you:)

[@Renovegas6109]

I flunked caculous 3 times. Add that up

[@MikkoAPenttila]

Thank you for your work Mr. Corley . Anyone interested in creating an online accountability Group on Facebook or somewhere else, for writing jokes?

[@GloriaReyesUrKrazzyMom]

yes!! Me, me , me!!!!

[@MikkoAPenttila]

@@GloriaReyesUrKrazzyMom That's fantastic! I should mention I've never even done an open mic but I have bought Jerry's ebook. I obviously especially in the beginning I at least will write mostly, if not exclusively, garbage but the goal is to establish a routine.

[@ryotaroamano6642]

すごく勉強になります！

[@MattShockley]

Hahah that’s my number one fear too! Great tutorials!

[@marcusrichards5527]

All I'm saying is if my girlfriend tells me that a joke wasn't funny then I know it's comedy Gold. If she laughs it's usually mediocre and in fairly good taste but if she says it's not funny then that means it's perfect for my brand of humor. I was doing a joke about a dog stuck in the grill of my truck and she told me that it wasn't funny but the first friend that I told it to laughed his ass off for about 45 minutes so I knew if she says that it's not funny then that means that is the right amount of funny

[@joshuafaber7429]

Missed u jerry

[@prakharshrivastava2751]

Loved it

[@afreenmulla8547]

Hi Jerry thanks for your valuable guidance ...em going 2 start my new KZbin channel ..thanks for clearing last minute thoughts ...love from INDIA🎉

[@PaulTheSkeptic]

I'm not an expert. I don't know what to do. I'm not the guy to ask but I say "No.". That's just my opinion. But jokes play differently in front of your friends. The whole vibe is different. Invite your friends to the club but do your act on stage. And I know Jerry says you can never bomb but if you do, don't worry about it. Just keep doing it. It takes practice.

[@Ana-iw2lx]

That's everyone

[@vanessaclaire999]

This was hilarious... so I got a divorce Lmao

[@yuliakiseleva1900]

'So... I divorced her' 😀

[@hotjesus666]

Hey Jerry, how would you react to the critique that only failed comedians seem to start comedy schools to take money from kids that just need more stage time? P.s. I enjoy your content.

[@davidbailey1721]

Hot Jesus even the idea that some comics put forward that comedy can’t be taught.

[@michaelsix9684]

tape your sets at home and at a club if you can

[@MBACCOMEDY]

I never did I wanted a pretty close to real experience of actual audience

[@shoppersplace]

Is there a comedy writers directory anymore? Would like to do something with my domain jokes4sale.com

[@Renovegas6109]

The convoy is going back west.

[@gospodinivanov5447]

Hey, Jerry questions for ya:What I must thinking, when i try to say jokes, the 5W questions or its will be funny if I say......? How to make own sense for comedy?

[@JerryCorley]

Great question! Sometimes you just do what works for you. Asking yourself sometimes "does this make sense?" answers the questions of the 5W's.

[@gospodinivanov5447]

Thank you Jerry that help me a lot

[@natemckee9083]

Really been enjoying your videos. But when you said anal rape oh, I went ahead and hit that subscribe thumbs up and here's my comment. Keep up the good work sir

[@michaelsix9684]

learn comedy by doing it

[@chrisgorman2717]

😂😂

[@MulainTV]

great videos mr jerry, i just found you and subscribe to your channel, love your videos, ill keep in touch, i just started in stand up comedy and did my first show in uptown nyc, i did it in spanish but hope to be able to do both, spanish and english.my name is william liriano and my channel in youtube is mulain t.v. mulain is my nickname.

[@arsakellariadis]

Awesome video Dr. , thank you so much! Just a small idiotic point. The earth does rotate but we do rotate with it. The fact that what you see changes as you move towards the horizon is because of the "round" shape of the earth. Even if the earth was still we would have the same phenomenon. Again, thank you so much for your videos.

[@barniespacullie3812]

Its funny cuz my girl is a bad judge because she laughs at anything i say. She (and i am blessed because of it) is like my number one fan, almost to a problematic level. You guys see a starving comic, she see's the next Jim Carrey waiting to be noticed.

[@Renovegas6109]

Can I live in my car oit there by your school