Is It Easier to Use Made Up Jokes or Real Life?

I think both are somewhat easy but the funnier jokes and stories always come from truth. When I took classes at Second City, we were told that "truth in comedy" is always the best route. And its true. About 90% of my jokes are based in reality and situations that happened to me. While experiencing whatever it is that is happening to me, I often know when or how I can make this into part of my act. There is always some exaggeration or changes of some facts to help create the comedy but all of it is grounded in reality. For example, I tell the story about my argument before the Supreme Court of Illinois when I was first hired as a lawyer on stage, but I changed certain details to get to the end, but the crux of the story is true.

Sometimes I observe things and create my own backstories for what is happening, which, while still grounded in truth, is ultimately fiction. That is what observational humor is. For me, I think its always easier to be grounded in truth and go from there.

Hope to see you in Boston this weekend at the Comedy Studio. If you have friends in Boston, send em there too please! #comedy #boston #truthincomedy #formerlawyer