SNL writer and 30 Rock punching bag John Lutz wrote a piece for the Second City Network called "10 Things to Know About Life After The Second City." It's full of good advice for improvisers like "be patient," "don't hold grudges," and "if you own a pair of Skechers, throw them out," all of which double as good advice for regular people too.
This piece was originally published on SaraSchaefer.com. It's republished here with permission.
This past fall, I had the amazing privilege of hiring a writing staff for my upcoming TV show, Nikki & Sara Live. I was flattered and honored when hundreds of people applied. It was a super fun experience, but it was also an incredibly illuminating one. Reading so many packets made a couple of things very very clear: there are some really easy, basic things you can do to improve your chances of getting a job writing for TV. Before I give you those tips, however, I want to give a little context.
I think that [...]
Those teenage years, they're rough. That's why I like Rookie's Ask a Grown Man feature, as it lets those poor, confused teenagers get advice from grown ups they respect a lot more than their stupid parents, who totally don't understand them. The latest entry in the series features Mike Birbiglia giving some pretty solid advice on subjects such as kissing, sexist jokes, and broken hearts, and somewhat less solid advice on high-waisted jeans. Just have him stick to the subject of human connections and avoid fashion and you'll be fine, teenage girls.
Pixar might make kids movies but they are impeccably crafted kids movies. Their films tend to be simple, not because they're dumb or shallow, but because there's no wasted story. This makes Pixar storyboard artist Emma Coats's advice particularly worthy of attention. Over the past month or so, she has been tweeting words of wisdom she's received from Pixar's top people. Below are the 22 that have been getting around; however, she's constantly offering sage advice on her Twitter. No sight yet, however, of "Kids like cars, so make a movie where cars talk and said kids will be PUMPED."
I guess when you're Joan Rivers, even wildly successful standups who've been performing for 25 years are just "starting out." Rivers pays tribute to Louis C.K., who's been named GQ's latest Man of the Year, with some bleak but solid advice:
Your chosen life's work, comedy, is a steaming shithole of cruelty and degeneracy owned and operated by deranged, unattractive thieves. Ignore them. Push forward. Play by your rules and KEEP GOING. Wear blinders if necessary, but KEEP GOING. Don't let other people tell you what's funny. Don't read your reviews— the bad ones hurt too much and the good ones make you weak. It's all about ego [...]
Stand-up Ari Shaffir delivered this nearly four-hour-long lecture, chock full of helpful advice for up and coming comics, onstage at The Comedy Store earlier this month and it's well-worth listening to despite its considerable length.
"There's nothing like being in debt to make you work. My best work came since I've been in debt. The thing about being humbled or stumbling or being in debt is that it makes you cut out the nonsense and just get to it, Jack. Just tell your story. Don't be precious about it. Make it count. Make it emotional. And mean it. Really mean it. Don't get too cerebral about it. Don't think about it too much. Those are all the traps for me."
- Writer/director David O. Russell, an expert on telling people what to do, giving advice to aspiring writers in The LA Times.
"Roast jokes tend to be shorter and more to the point than other kinds of jokes. They‘re more based in fact, and they’re economical. The fewer words the better… [It's] saying things out loud that normally you’d say behind people’s backs. A true roastmaster just lets it fly. That’s why I never prank people. That’s behind their back or sneaking up on them, and catching them off guard. I’d much rather confront them and tell the jokes face to face." – Jeff Ross in an interview with Co.Create on the art of roasting. (Like joke roasting. He, sadly, doesn't explain how to roast a chicken.)
Where the most relatable creative ambition was once to write the Great American Novel, it is now to maintain the Great American Twitter Feed. And who better to give advice on how to tweet comedically than the Fitzgeralds and Hemingways of Twitter? Here's a sample tip from Mystery Science Theater 3000 writer Bill Corbett:
Try to understand the short form, and be playful within it. Not everything needs to read like a classic "premise, punchline" joke…But understand that tastes vary wildly. Not everyone will think you're hilarious, and some dicks will make sure to tell you so. Don't worry about it.
Quick, before he gets away, let's all [...]
Late last week, news broke that after seemingly months of speculation, even though it was in reality about a week (a HELLACIOUS week, though), The Simpsons will air for two more seasons, its 24th and 25th. That means that in the spring of 2014, there will be over 550 episodes of the world’s most perfectly cromulent show for public consumption, and millions of “This show is still on?” comments on whatever social media platform that will soon destroy Twitter.
But yes, The Simpsons is still on TV. Although it’s not as era-defining as it was during seasons 2-12, it’s still a good sitcom, one that can occasionally [...]
Tim starts off by promising this will be an all karaoke episode but quickly loses interest and begins discussing the harmonies in Neil Young songs at detail instead. Instead the guys decide to do an all Tim and Tom Solve Your Problems to officially open the gates for listeners to send in their problems for the upcoming New York City and European shows in March. The first problem is a follow-up from Terrence, who previously wrote in to complain about not being able to attract girls as easily now that he works for a non-profit. Now he wants to know how to make friends as a single man [...]
Chris Gethard, especially through his public access show, develops a special relationship with his fans. If you watch an episode of The Chris Gethard Show, its earnestness looms larger than everything else, including even the comedy. Chris loves his fans and cares about them deeply. It's why when someone wrote him an anonymous message, which talks about suicide, Chris wrote a very passionate response. The anonymous person asked:
I'm curious if you ever had suicidal thoughts. I admire you and your show and have just been in a really bad place lately. I used to see your show as the last thing I had to look forward to but [...]
The following was posted to the Chris Gethard Show Tumblr as a response to an anonymously asked question, which follows. It's reprinted here with permission.
For Chris: I’ve always really wanted to get into acting and/or comedy but I’m terrified of failing at it. How do you get the courage to perform?
First off – the terror you’re feeling will never go away if you choose to go into this field. That’s just something I want to say very bluntly right at the top. There is no sugar coating that. I know it’s horrible to hear, but the terror ain’t going nowhere. That fear will manifest itself many [...]
It's been too long since we talked about Louis C.K., right? Yeah, it feels weird for me too. Luckily, a Reddit user posted the autograph C.K. signed for him at his dad's optical shop this weekend. It reads:
Denis, Grow up and don't be an asshole L.C.K.
That guy. He's just the best. Picture below.
