So, how did you like that killer set I just did? Yeah, I’ve been doing this a while now. It took a long time for me to develop my act into something as strong as it is today.
What’s that? You say you’ve heard some of the jokes I did somewhere before? Well, of course you have! And no, it isn’t because I “stole” someone else’s jokes. Those were what we distinguished comedy veterans like to call “street jokes.”
You see, there are some jokes that have been told so often, that there is no longer a need to credit whoever wrote it in the first place. Plus, if I add my own little spin on it, like putting my hands in my pockets, I basically rewrote it entirely.
As a well-respected comic, I would never steal someone else’s bit! That is the worst thing you could possibly do! But if I really like the bit, and I just happened to hear it somewhere other than a comedy club, then how exactly does it not belong to me?
Still don’t get it? Let me give you an example; you know that old “chicken crossed the road” joke you’ve heard a million times? Well, nobody claims that joke, so everyone can tell it. That’s no different from me using material I haven’t written in twenty of my forty total prepared minutes.
You’ll figure it out one day, kid. Just keep going to mics, getting on stage, and putting in the work, and you’ll be able to tell other people’s jokes as good as anyone. Just don’t steal anything from my act.
By Tyler Dark.
The Bringer 