An Underused Style of Humor

Humor. We all laugh. It’s universal.

One of the easiest ways to connect with your audience is through laughter.

Want them to like you? Make ‘em laugh.

Oh, and I understand the value of drama and pathos in a show. That’s a whole different discussion.

But laughter is primal.

How do we get audiences to laugh? By that, I mean, what style of humor?

There’s slapstick, which a lot of family magicians use, me included. We drop things or incorporate physical comedy into our sets.

And some entertainers use puns. Nothing wrong with that, although I don’t use any puns in my show.

But most magicians I see use humor traditionally. Setup, look at the audience, wait for laugh. Repeat.

It’s very broad, and it works.

Nothing wrong with it, but I feel using different kinds of humor gives our shows more depth.

Today, I wanted to talk about a style of humor I’ll call the “throwaway joke.” (I’m sure there is probably a trademarked, proper theatrical term for it somewhere.)

What’s a “throwaway joke?”

In my eyes, it’s a casual, off-the-cuff remark designed to appear unplanned.

When I use this kind of joke, I try to play them as if I’m not trying to be funny but saying something off the top of my head.

In other words, I try to act like I just thought up the line spur of the moment.

But after hundreds of performances, I have most of these lines baked into my show scripts.

One of the earliest ones I developed was for my Arm Chopper routine.

After I cut the carrot, showing the device to be supposedly lethal, I get the kid volunteer to stick his hand inside.

Almost as an afterthought, I ask him, “Do you know what an ‘attorney’ is?”

Usually the kid says “no,” to which I mutter, “good,” and continue with the routine. Big laugh.

One of my favorite lines of this kind was inspired by the Peanuts characters.

During my science show, I perform a lever experiment. In the stunt, I get three kids to stand on one side of a ten-foot-long board, and a fourth student on the other end.

The board is balanced on top of a thick block of wood, allowing it to function as an impromptu seesaw.

Because of the concept of levers, the lone kid can lift the other three by standing on the end of the board.

The joke comes as I’m arranging the three kids on their end of the board.

I instruct each kid to stand facing the other end of the board and put their hands on the shoulders of the kid in front of them.

“Hold on tight,” I caution. “That way, if one falls, they all fall.”

I deliver this casually, almost under my breath, as if I’m saying this just for the kids to hear but not the whole audience.

It’s a good laugh, though not everyone catches it. Fine by me.

I was inspired to use this line by Lucy Van Pelt, of Peanuts fame.

In an old comic strip, Lucy’s brother Linus asked, “Why do mountain climbers hook themselves to each other on one rope?”

With an exasperated sigh, Lucy explains, “It’s so if one falls, they all fall! Boy, are you stupid!”

To me, it was one of the funniest jokes ever from the Peanuts. Lucy gives this ridiculous (and totally wrong) reason why mountain climbers lash themselves together with a straight face.

She’s so sure she’s right and that her brother is so stupid for not knowing this seemingly simple reason, just cracked me up.

And no, I never add the word ‘stupid’ in any of my shows.

Here’s another one of my favs. I’m not sure if it’s an original or if I heard it from another performer. I think it’s mine…at least I hope it is.

I’m performing Fairchild Magic’s Forgetful Frosty effect.

If you’re not familiar with it, here’s a brief description: The performer shows a wooden facsimile of a snowman.

He removes the head and vanishes it. To replace the head, he blows up a balloon and attaches it to where the head used to be.

Magic words later, ta-da, the balloon pops, and the head is seen back in its right place.

Fun kids’ effect.

When I take out the balloon, I perform several balloon gags, most of which I thought were mine.

(I have to break in with an embarrassing story. During a conversation with my dear friend Jim Kleefeld, I told him about several of my own ‘original’ balloon gags. To my horror, Jim immediately rattled off the source for those gags. Turns out I apparently saw them performed by another magician and ‘forgot’ where I got them. Jim’s magical knowledge runs deep. Real deep. Do yourself a favor. Buy lots of Jim Kleefeld products. You’ll be a better magician.)

Anyway, after several balloon gags, I briefly apologize to the adults, saying, “I’m sorry, I’m easily distracted. I grew up under power lines.”

Big laugh.

Again, I’m not sure if that line is mine.

There are plenty of others during my shows, but I think you get the point.

I always – always! – get compliments after my shows from the adults, saying they laughed as much as the kids.

All without adding anything suggestive or inappropriate to my shows.

There are different styles of humor. I feel that using several different styles (I do use slapstick and visual gags) gives your performance texture.

For more examples of how I use humor in my shows, check out THIS, THIS, and THIS.

Have a great week!

--Cris

P.S.

1. Grab my FREE report for professional working magicians.

It’s called “The 2-Word Secret to Eliminate Your Competition & Become Your Area’s Busiest Magician.” This report reveals a strategy that almost NO magicians are using (and the ones who are don’t use it correctly). Get your free copy HERE.

2. Get my website video training for under $20:

 
In this 2-hour video training, I’ll reveal exactly what your website needs if you want to succeed as a professional entertainer in the 21st century. Get all the details HERE.

 
3. Get a complete business-building plan handed to you on a silver platter.

 
Not sure how to move your magic business forward? I’ll analyze your complete magic business (website, market, competition, and more) and give you a complete game plan for getting your performing business to the next level. Find out how HERE.

 
4. Work with me privately.

 
Need help in multiple areas? I can help you with your website, direct mail, email, or other marketing strategies. I also offer consulting services for crafting magic routines or even entire shows. Want to find out more? Shoot me an email at cris@theprofessionalmagicianclubpro.com.

5. Check out my extensive line of magic routines and marketing products

I have several professional routines, marketing courses, books, and other resources to boost your shows and make booking shows easier and more profitable. Check out my line of products HERE.

To find out more how I can help you book more shows at higher fees, click the button below to see my list of services.

© Copyright Cris Johnson, Inc.