I'm funny around my friends, but...

www.standupcomedyclinic.com
Jerry Corley presents another video on how to do stand-up comedy. In this video, Jerry discusses the phrase, "My friends say I'm funny, but..." If you've ever said this phrase or a version of it, tune into the video and learn why you have trouble being you on the stage and what you can do to change it.
www.standupcomedyclinic.com
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[@offmymeds2994]

I'm funny around my friends, but I'm hilarious around my enemies.

[@robgalaxy7763]

Might be the only useful guy I've seen on KZbin for this stuff

[@natepanda]

Hey mate! I really appreciate this video. I did my first stand-up open mic last night in NYC. My set was rehearsed well, but I felt as though I was very out of the moment and it didn’t sound as natural as I wanted it to be. Your point of “rehearsed spontaneity” is a super useful tip that I need to tighten up. People laughed at many of my jokes, but I also spoke too fast and didn’t give them time to respond and for some of the jokes to land. I also found it interesting that people laughed at parts of my set that I didn’t think in my own head were very funny. I appreciate this video a lot, I know it will be useful. Cheers 👍

[@bernardcyrus8189]

I'm funny not just around my friends but near the top and on the side of them

[@angelinaderpina6210]

Bernard Cyrus you were listening on those triplets 👏😆

[@IsraelRuizGodot]

So your tall and hugging them. Alright.

[@DemonicMailman]

I remember hearing Dave Chapelle talking about your point at 9:30 "It's like you're having a conversation with no rebuttal, they respond with their laughter, and sometimes in my case; their disapproval."

[@mannyjr1995]

Thank you for writing this

[@sirraymondluxuryyacht8131]

A lady told me once "You're funny. You should be on stage!" - I said really? - she said "Yeah. Sweeping it!"

[@JT-ko2ib]

The path from setup to punchline might be a little confused. Still, it technically does make sense.

[@bb1982nl]

thats funny and ironic as the lady is more funny. great one

[@CipherByteX]

When I finished reading the joke, I remembered Norm Macdonald saying "you dirty dog!"

[@xilo3012]

Was a subliminal sexy sign.

[@kennyt957]

😂😂

[@adamhodgson6778]

I am literally 2 days in to beginning a stand-up routine so this is so timely. Like opening the curtains and glimpsing magic. Many thanks Jerry.

[@xilo3012]

What happened next?

[@joaomaciel1025]

Hows it been ?

[@devingeorge8102]

You famous yet?

[@supercargalaxy8233]

Sooo.....I guess you're on tour killing it?

[@avuifasol]

@@devingeorge8102 Apparently he traveled on time and he killed it! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Hodgson

[@R33VO]

My friends thought I was funny til I started reenacting my jokes in a voice recorder mid convo.

[@alchemicalsoul78]

Wow this is so right on time. I'm getting gigs but in order to level up I need to get over my insecurities. They are holding me back. Getting good feedback about my comedy, but I know it needs to be tightened up.

[@002brooklyn]

Alchemical Soul where have u performed

[@tonezone2]

All great advice Jerry it's a good video and thanks for taking the time to upload. One extra thing I would say about riffing in front of friends, is that they are in tune with you as a friend and you share the same references. Where as a public audience would not know those references or follow your meaning and associations you've built up with your inner group.

[@Observ45er]

+tonezone2, Precisely! I had several events that came together that firmed up this concept for me. If you consider the idea that a joke is two stories, the buildup and the payoff, this is easy to understand. ... Your friends are already in the moment with you. They are already most of the way 'into' that first "story" of the joke. With an audience, you must bring them all the way through that first story from scratch. ... I can also see how this works into producing effective ad-libs. .. Now I gotta' watch the rest of the vid to see how this dove-tails into Jerry's explanations... (;-o) ... OK 3 minutes in and Jerry's words mirror my thoughts 100%. .. Comment, Jerry?

[@loganchase9988]

True, the contexts & perspectives of humor are key, with it you can open the door.. Humor that comes out in the spur of the moment is best as it has the element of surprise... Is it about nothing or is it about everything? You can view the coin from both sides and it still mistake its face value; that's why there's a time and place for everything and being in the right place at the right time is essential in a sense of humor that will crack your funny BONE.

[@samuelcasinha]

I'm funny around my friends but they're all in my head

[@alghanekar313]

The huge struggle as a comic that actually also makes it fun for me, is being able to say rehearsed stuff and sound conversational. There are so many comedian bits from comics I love that sound like ranting and then you realize when you start doing comedy that there is a lot of structure and the words are carefully placed. Louie CK said about the his bit regarding the stresses of getting his kids ready for a vacation that [I sound like I'm just sweating this stuff out on stage but I know all the moves] Such an amazing and challenging art form.

[@xilo3012]

I like a lot greg giraldo. He seemed improvising.

[@janitorandalifecoach2112]

I try to explain to ppl doing comedy at first is like when someone ask you to make a sound again or make a face again after you did it once in conversation to be funny. It's like well now i can't do it that ur asking me I feel stupid. Overcoming that and being able to do it an sell it as natural is to me the biggest challenge and make ya or break ya part of stand up. I think once a joke isn't a surprise to you it's hard to say it naturally. Like squeezing a guns trigger vs pulling it's gotta be a surprise when it goes off otherwise you flinch and miss ur taget. I guess that's why off the cuff vs writing a joke works for many ppl.

[@amitshah6250]

Sir I pause this vedio in just 4 min to. Say you thank you... Great advice thanks a lot sir

[@seranatus]

My friends think I'm funny, but are looks everything?

[@thegreatestbharat7701]

daamn ahahahaha

[@rowanmeyer1817]

Nah man

[@ericamichele7933]

Best comedy advice thus far. Luv keep them coming. Never thought of it like that. Thanks Doc

[@QueensCurryKitchen]

I totally love love love everything you share so real and so informative, I’m not even a stand up comedian but I’m an RJ on a South Asian radio station in NY and seriously everything i learn from you has helped me tremendously in evolving my style and seeing the change in my presentation. I applied a few of your concepts and have been steadily drawing LIVE callers and high level of engagement with my listeners, so ,thank you laughter guru 🙏

[@nateynay]

Great answer Jerry. Thank you for this.

[@thelifeofbks]

Jerry, thanks for all that you are sharing with us. In this situation as a member of the audience, I know that the more the performer communicates and engages with me and rest of the the audience (Dana example) I’m paying attention and actively involved in it because I want to be recognized/included also! It becomes enjoyable to everyone because it is just like a group of friends having a conversation, just a much bigger group of friends.

[@brunomillalaf8553]

Bought your book and am really excited to dive into this joke writing world. Thanks for your content.

[@StyleSensePlus]

Absolute gems!

[@shariwitkoff3358]

Just getting started with the craft. Find this to be extremely helpful! I look forward to more

[@firstnamelastname2552]

How's the restaurant job going?

[@ryanhumor]

This was great - Thank you.

[@kevinr8692]

Very helpful video! Thanks Mr. Corley

[@abelalfaro502]

Thanks Jerry this is really helpful stuff

[@rajatgupta9713]

i always learn something new from Jerry's video. much much grateful

[@derekbrown7018]

Hit the nail on the head. Awesome Jerry. I now know what to address. In my studio have the equipment to work on becoming more comfortable.Thanks

[@christianderuiter]

Hi Jerry, great video, great advice, very helpful. 👍🏼

[@ymphony2832]

That joke had me Crying 😂

[@ToddMorse2unes]

really helpful thanks!

[@Observ45er]

Jerry, [engineer here] . There is a little different way to look at this which is a very important concept that I realized in my first two open mic bits. I heard this 'friends vs. in public thing' and something happened to punctuate it for me. .. First, Your friends know you and your sense of humor. Plus, both you and them are already "IN" the setup (part of it) by the very fact that you are all talking together. This is like your "conversation". The group is in the moment together. It's like a setup for free. . Considering that a joke is two stories; setup & punch-line... The first is the setup and with your friends, they have brought themselves along in this part of the story with you / for you. .. Now, when you have a thought with friends, it is basically an ad-lib. This ad-lib comes out of the situation that everyone is already "IN* ! They are, in effect, helping build the setup. So, the setup was there in everyone's head and the punch-line ad-lib works for everyone. . Now, in both my first two open mic bits there were ad-libs that worked really well. Why? Because they came out of the situation and everybody was part of that story/setup/conversation. They came at points in the 'conversation' that it was clear to me, that it was a good thing to say. . The lesson, as I see it, is that when with a real audience, it is your responsibility to bring all those strangers along down the correct path in the setup. They need to be in that correct place. To get them all in that special place so the punch 'works' for them. I think this is a good way to look at it. I've always considered call-backs to be a special kind of funny. This also applies to call backs because the setup happened in an earlier joke, setup, or punch-line. It was another type of 'free' setup. Sort of a long distance joke. .. Make sense?

[@JerryCorley]

Observ45er Totally! That’s so true. They not only know your heart and your intent, if the joke is a comment on a situation, they (your friends), were part of the setup. Well thought out and nicely explained. Thanks for adding it in the comments!

[@joshuagomez3459]

you are doing gods work jerry

[@BeanyBoy932]

Your awesome dude thx

[@Jamesdowns2023]

Great tips

[@maxxmadness9866]

This is the exact issue I'm going through currently

[@Loobiloo]

Fabulous thank you

[@boosterbrosllc4681]

Jerry doin the lords work

[@JohnSmith-wx6dx]

Just found your channel great stuff

[@petek852]

This is so true. I couldn't be farther on paper than I am live. At this point I just write to know my point of view and some main talking points. Also I will write some funny word play. If I get stuck to that script I bomb. But if I see the crowd feeling I suck... I can pull the laughs out and get out of it. It's a dance. I cant get stuck to the paper at this point. I take my hat off to the writers who write those perfectly worded jokes. I have never been that guy. However understanding the material so well you can be more free on stage helps a bunch. Idk that was a rant obviously. Thanks for the advice Jerry. I remember when I first started doing open mics years ago you were giving great advice. I left for many years due to personal issues but the itch remains and you are still here giving great advice. God bless you from an agnostic.

[@jeykaegn7898]

Thx man

[@kochilas]

Omg very cool stuff

[@Caribbean_King]

I'm in the second week of stand-up class and this hits home! Jerry, THANK YOU for these videos. Between this KZbin page, a few others, and class; I might make it to the shit sandwich level in comedy. 🤣😏

[@GustavoShrapnel]

Not even 10 minutes in and this speaks to me on every level comedic wise.

[@SteezyMcCheezy666]

i have had tons of people tell me im funny im good at reading situations and making light of them or jokes about what i just saw or someone just said i can always ad something funny to it. when i go to write i cant put down a word.

[@ahandfullofjosh2730]

That thumbnail made me think Stone Cold found a new hobbie 😅

[@joshuafaber7429]

Thanks

[@Tom-ym2id]

I like how you are breaking it down as a science. I have a fear of not being authentic or robotic. I started to think of experiences in life that I observe and find funny the way I perceive them. Does this strategy make sense?

[@pinleto7534]

I'm funny around my friends, but.. They dont know this fact

[@XxSEETH3RxX]

My friends think I'm funny, but chicks dig my friends.

[@walterwelches4188]

I’m funny around my friends, I guess that’s why I’m always the butt of the joke.

[@ivoflo]

I write the way I talk in my essay, but then I got E for it

[@jasondelpire9786]

Dude, that Idaho bit was brutal.

[@Nizalnation]

Thumbs up here sir thanks for the info and I will keep it under my hat

[@crashmasterj0837]

I did want to ask, how do I become funny around my friends and family?

[@comedy-and-music]

Say things out loud they could be thinking in certain situations.

[@IsraelRuizGodot]

@@comedy-and-music I do this a lot. I either get backhanded or a small chuckle.

[@iamatomiczombie]

I wonder if you are still active on here?.. Thanks for all of the advice.

[@Omkar3324]

Do you have an online course?

[@eymed2023]

I think one of the most common problems is because around your friends you already have material to work with, while alone you need to make joke material from scratch. Before you can make jokes, you need material to make jokes about. When you're talking with your friends, the consersation gives you plenty of material. But when you're alone, you need to come up with material yourself before you can make any jokes about it. That is what I think the main problem is. Some people have a natural hability to make jokes about something, but they are not good at coming up with material to make jokes about. *Another problems include:* *★ Intimacy:* You be more comfortable around your friends and say things you wouldn't say around other people. *★ Comfort:* You tend to be more confident in a casual conversation, which ends up making you funnier. *★ Delivery:* Funny sentences flow a lot more easily when you're talking then when you're writing them down. Speech is always easier than text.

[@boodro2122]

I'm going up again, April 3rd. I'd love your feedback.

[@kayla9953]

JUST CALL ME WEBB good luck

[@boodro2122]

@@kayla9953 Thank you. It's this evening. I can't wait. Nervous and excited at the same time! :-)

[@kayla9953]

How did it go? :)

[@boodro2122]

@@kayla9953 Rough start with an ok finish lol I was number 19 so I'd had a few too many beers by the time it was my turn. Not gonna drink anymore until after I go up. Thank you for asking. I've got a couple videos on my channel.

[@xilo3012]

@@boodro2122 nerves are worst at the beginning and then vanishes right?

[@thesunshinehome]

My friends know I'm funny. I look funny, I walk funny, I even smell funny! And girls say I look at them funny too. But I must admit, I do struggle with self-confidence.

[@julesfalcone]

But I don't want to brag.

[@dalattegod3870]

9:10-9:40... BARS!

[@ajaylodhi9061]

1. Telling jokes to friends is not as same as telling on a stage. You have to tell them first who you are and where you coming from. 2. Write the jokes as a conversation. 3. Strengthen your jokes that comes easy to you. 4. Have a joke writing buddy and share ideas with each other. 5. Practice rehearsed spontaneity.

[@get8bit]

Louis CK said on Joe Rogan's show not too long ago that he NEVER writes anything but a few words for this exact reason. It will come out sounding rehearsed. Instead, he takes the premise on stage and works it out there.

[@ChefTM]

This title is great bc if you say this you just aren’t funny.

[@jimdomi6206]

My grammar is horrible, so I'm already ahead of the class when it comes to write how you speak.

[@loganchase9988]

Thanks a million Jerry Corley! I'd say your vibe reminds me of STONE COLD Steve Austin, although you're way hotter than that! I'm not GAY, just sayin'!!!

[@jimdomi6206]

was thinking Stone Cold too , I was waiting for him to crack open a beer

[@michaelsix9684]

it's hard not to be stiff on stage

[@ScottRoofwalker]

Did you stop making videos Jerry? Haven’t seen anything new in a while

[@CraigHawks]

Just wanted to take a minute to thank you. You’ve saved me a lot of embarrassment! I AM funny around my friend. Damn, I’m the life of the party. But, put me with new friends and they just don’t get me! Fast forward...I can (now that you put it in simple words for me) imagine the longest handful of minutes on that open stage. I’m a guitar player and I know what sucking feels like. I’d rather avoid that! Thanks for the sanity check!!

[@randomyoutuber1416]

I'm funny around my family but...

[@falloutwp258]

My friends think I’m funny when I have a gun in my hand

[@JerryCorley]

You’ve hear the phrase “Stop or I’ll shoot…” Is this a “Laugh or I’ll shoot scenario?” 😅

[@haymaker3434]

I'm late to the party here but this is excellent stuff, Jerry! Exactly what I was looking for - I've never done standup but at the ripe young age of 45 I've decided to give it a go as I am exactly that guy who is 'funny around his friends... but' - I've done a couple of weeks of a standup class (over zoom) where you have to record a video for homework. I was so excited to do it but then appalled at how it turned out! How the hell do my friends find this funny...! It's not... but your video's really helped - so thanks, dude! Back to the drawing board and I'll nail it in a year or two... This is the video, in case you're interested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHfckGSInJ2rrcU

[@TheWonderBreadAct]

You can tell you're naturally funny. I actually really like the pube bit. The only thing that was cringe was how until about two minutes in you had your hands in your pockets. You talk about your pubes then vs now.. I feel like you need to add in something like, " if all those guys could see my pubes now" you've got awkward humor and need to work with it!

[@haymaker3434]

@@TheWonderBreadAct hey thanks, man! Just the encouragement I needed :)

[@RealinDealer]

My friends think I'm funny. When they're not deflated and packed away.

[@mike11h27]

A Texan drinking crown royal? 🧐

[@xilo3012]

My friends dont like my jokes but clever people yes. Is that bad?

[@Lazarus007]

Good info, but the audio quality is shite...

[@haynesrobert2830]

What's your email address doctor who?

[@Adam326]

What if I talk the way I write. I sound like Google translator

[@patrickparmer1648]

Use it to your advantage. You could use that as a joke. Sounding too proper

[@amitejreddy2764]

I'm funny around my friends, but my jokes aren't.

[@matt77980]

I’m funny around my friends butt.

[@Observ45er]

Long pause...

[@amanakeet]

...

[@JeffVader39]

I’m funny around my friends BUTT! I have Tourette’s

[@patrickparmer1648]

This video reminds me of a couple instances where i popped back with a funny quip. The first one was with a friend. He saw a pair of boot i had and he asks, "are those women boots or men boots?" to which i replied, "I dont know, I didnt check to see if they had a dick or not" Another instance was an argument i was having with my sister about her sex life. it went some like this Me: "You probably couldnt count the amount of guys youve slept with on your fingers and toes" Her: "You dont know how many guys ive been with" Me: "Neither do you." I was 15 at the time of the second one. thats when i decided i wanted to be comedian but i acknowledge these as "dead" material because it was only alive if you were there in that moment. and to try and reenact it wouldnt do it as much justice as having been there at that time. maybe in a movie where theres not as much requirement by one person to set the scene. But i dont see it ever making it into my live sets.

[@zombiefried5362]

Dont worry Patrick im here. I thought the personification of the boots was funny

[@jasonbidwell1221]

I can get my friends to laugh, when I'm trying to get laid... and the girl finds it even funnier.

[@everyonesalama4447]

I'm funny around my friends but they're just not big laughers

[@JeZ_ZeR]

How much liberty (if any) does a comedian have to talk about things that didn't actually happen to him/her? I would imagine that not all funny stories comedians talk about did not actually happen to them exactly as they tell it (or at all). Are you restricted to only talking about only what has happened to you or can you deviate from that a little bit while still being authentic/credible?

[@herseem]

There's a sort of conceit between the performer and the audience that everything they say actually happened as they describe it. If a comedian is doing the sort of comedy where they are making it sound like stories of their own life, often there may be a seed of truth, that they will bend and extrapolate almost out of all recognition in order to get the funny version of what really happened.

[@unclematt3134]

I can't see the audience at all. Just bright lights.

[@JeffWarren47]

Great video!!Can you watch my first Open Mic and give your opinions and critiques?Thanks!!

[@sachinadhikari8599]

You Stone cold twin brother m

[@billyb4790]

Most people who think they are funny around they’re friends are just being a jackass. Anyone can do that.

[@JerryCorley]

Not true. When you’re not funny, your friends are the first ones to say “Shut up, man. You’re not funny.”

[@billyb4790]

@@JerryCorley you don’t even get it.

[@talalomari2667]

stone cold steve austin teaching how to do stand-up comedy isnt that funny enough lol

[@zanysideup]

I see someone respecting louis ck. I press like.

[@nathanwhite7765]

Look how much has changed is 2 years. This advise wont help today in regards to " racist joke"

[@justinstephens5299]

Tom Segura says it best in one of his specials. "You cant do what I do". Meaning stand up is a natural talent and not alot of people are capable of doing it at a high level. Another thing... If you can make your friends laugh thats great, but if there not bringing up the shit you said funny to others when your not around its not that funny. If you ever say something funny and a person in the room is just stairing at you perplexed. Than asks how your able to do that, you got something. If someone you havnt seen for years walks up to you and says something like " I still talk about how funny you were to _____ ". If they dont bring it up and just say hello or whatever.. Sorry, your not funny enough to do stand up at least as a reliable career. A good indicator you have a natural talent for stand up, is your already doing the stuff this guy talks about in his videos. Minus the writing stuff. You have to love making people laugh because you want them to be happy and having a good time. However, there's alot of people who will die laughing at some pretty thought provoking material..... Id wait to see if the US dollar does tank because smashing fruit and paying a homeless guy to hit you in the nuts with a wiffel ball bat at every show could get pricey. 🤞

[@JerryCorley]

I like Tom, but that’s a naive statement. Tom is performing. He’s not speaking from any knowledge of how people learn or develop mastery in a certain skill. Stand-up is not some divinely bestowed talent. Just like acting, playing a musical instrument, painting drawing, writing, etc. read the book ‘Peak’ by K Anders Ericcson and Dr. Robert Poole. Anyone can develop expertise in anything. You spent a lot of ink on this but you don’t have any data to back up your claim, you just feel strongly about it. I not only have data, I have case studies and proof of people who changed their lives after learning the craft.