How to Be Funny on Purpose: Joel Morris on the Craft of Comedy

Unlocking the Secrets of Comedy with Joel Morris Summary In this episode of Present Influence, host John Ball delves into the intricacies of comedy with Joel Morris, the prolific comedy writer behind beloved characters like Paddington Bear and Philomena Cunk. Joel discusses his book, 'Be Funny or Die,' shedding light on the rhythm of humour, the similarities between jokes and music, and the universal nature of comedy. They explore how jokes are constructed, the importance of setup and timing, and the challenges of creating comedy in today's diverse media landscape. Whether you're a professional speaker or simply someone who loves a good laugh, this episode offers invaluable insights into the craft of comedy. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Joel Morris and His Comedy Craft 01:20 Discussing 'Be Funny or Die' 01:44 The Mechanics and Philosophy of Comedy 02:54 Comedy as a Universal Language 06:16 The Journey of a Comedy Writer 11:53 The Role of Persona in Comedy 17:16 Writing Process and Inspirations 23:02 Mocking Doc and Shakespeare 23:36 Philomena Cunk's Interviewing Skills 23:40 Favourite Person to Write For 25:33 Comedy at the BBC 32:14 The Craft of Comedy Writing 36:03 Advice for Adding Humour 40:44 Upcoming Projects and Final Thoughts Visit presentinfluence.com/quiz to take the Speaker Radiance Quiz and discover your Charisma Quotient. For speaking enquiries or to connect with me, you can email john@presentinfluence.com or find me on LinkedIn You can find all our clips, episodes and more on the Present Influence YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PresentInfluence Thanks for listening, and please give the show a 5* review if you enjoyed it.