Skip to the comedy

Select Comedy Review

Open menu

In the comic detail

Comedy rewards a closer look

Select Comedy Review explores the choices behind comic writing and performance, from a joke’s turn to the ideas a whole story puts under pressure.

Jokes · 7 min readThe Second Meaning Doing the Heavy Lifting

Man standing on stage with microphone in front of seated audience, thought bubbles showing stacks of books and two people arguing

Selected readings

Group of diverse people in a meeting room debating with serious and engaged expressions

Characters · 6 min read

The Fool, the Expert and the Rules They Break

The fool and expert comic characters expose hidden social rules. Learn to shape their motives, reactions and conflict…

Read the piece →

Man in suit and bowler hat speaking at desk with audience, singers, pianist, and dancer on stage

Forms · 6 min read

When the Interlude Became the Main Event

See how a comic interlude works inside a larger program, what changes when it stands alone, and how to judge whether…

Read the piece →

Recently considered

Man presenting suggestion to clerk at counter while director sits behind with hands clasped, office setting

Satire

Satire Is Not Just a Sharper Insult

Group of four adults sitting on couch watching comedy on television with bowls of popcorn and warm lighting

Performance

A Living Room Comedy Night, Arranged by Contrast

Man standing on stage with microphone in front of seated audience, thought bubbles showing stacks of books and two people arguing

Jokes

The Second Meaning Doing the Heavy Lifting