The Funny Muscle Podcast

Misdirection (Improving Your Set-Ups)

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 16:59:43 -0300

On this episode of FMP, we break down how professional comedians use misdirection to make punchlines hit harder: like highlighting a safe, obvious detail so the audience locks onto the wrong assumption. We look at the exact moment a comic gets the audience leaning one way—through connector words, tone, body language, and subtle framing—then pulls the rug with a completely different meaning. If you’ve ever wondered why one joke feels predictable while another feels like magic, this episode gives you the tools to see the trick as it’s happening and maybe start doing it yourself.

Traditional Stand-up vs Straight Act Out Comedy

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 14:43:00 -0300

On this episode of Funny Muscle Pod, we break down how professional comedians build laughs using the Funny Muscle Humor Blueprint and why the structure of stand-up is quietly evolving. We dig into the difference between traditional joke writing (setup, misdirection, punchline) and the more modern move where comics skip the setup entirely and jump straight into act-outs, often improvisationally. If you’ve ever wondered why some comics feel like they’re telling jokes while others feel like they’re just being funny, this episode gives you the tools to see exactly what’s happening.

Enhance Your Bits with Emotion (How the Pros Do It)

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 17:40:19 -0400

In this episode, Mike goes into full Comedy Teacher Mode, the kind of mode where you half expect a pop quiz. We break down how to transform a topic into a real premise by adding emotion---the missing ingredient that makes audiences care before they laugh. Then we run pro comics’ bits through the Humor Blueprint, dissecting how they get laughs, identifying the humor heightening devices at work, and circling the emotional engine that drives connection. If you’ve ever had ideas that felt close but not quite funny yet, this is the structural fix.

Diagramming Humor Heightening Devices

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 17:27:13 -0400

In this episode of The Funny Muscle Pod, we diagram pro comics’ bits by circling the underlying structure, then highlighting the specific techniques—what we call Humor Heightening Devices—that pack the laughs in. You’ll hear how the pros stack half a dozen devices inside a single stretch: bait-and-switch, contrast, cut-to, negative-to-positive, act-outs, tags, and more.

Think of it like watching scout team film: we’re not just saying “that joke was good.” We’re pointing at the exact moment it worked and why. As you get better at pointing these out, you'll get better at utilizing them in your act.

The Road to Headlining with CAIN

Sun, 04 Jan 2026 15:22:09 -0400

Dallas comedian CAIN, fresh off winning the 2025 Pervis Wilson Funniest Stand-Up in Dallas Competition, returns to the FMP to discuss the mysterious and lightly regulated sport of comedy competitions. In this episode, CAIN walks us through his third year in comedy, including the high-stakes strategic dilemma faced by every comic in a competition: Do you burn your best jokes early to survive the first round, or save them for later and risk being eliminated by a guy doing crowd work about Crocs? We also get into CAIN’s open-mic strategy, discuss the Dallas comedy club scene, and his journey to his first headlining show occurring January 11th, 2026, at the Addison Improv.

What Comics can Borrow from Improv with Brittany Taylor

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 17:44:58 -0400

Brittany Taylor---Improv Guru and Instructor---- joins Mike and Chris to yes-and their brains into shape with a crash course in all things improv: the formulas, the frameworks, and the wonderfully weird archetypes (pirates vs. ninjas).

Brittany breaks down what happens when people try improv for the first time—those classic beginner pitfalls like freezing, plot-dumping, apologizing, or trying to “be funny” instead of letting the funny happen.

She walks us through how improv skills translate directly to stand-up like staying fully committed to the bit even when your brain is whispering “run.” We dig into the mental side of vulnerability, why audiences can feel it when you’re all-in. Brittany also explains the improv techniques every comic should steal.

Moving the Pen with Sean O’Brien

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 14:43:44 -0400

We sit down with St. Louis comic Sean O’Brien who has opened for legends like Bill Burr, Norm Macdonald, and Nikki Glaser.

Sean got his start bartending at the St. Louis Funny Bone, where he met Mike Lukas — and, in true full-circle fashion, Mike’s show ended up becoming Sean’s very first paid gig.

In this episode, Sean breaks down his writing process, including his daily habit of “moving the pen” for 30 minutes and then teasing out the small interactions and weird moments that become great material. It’s a masterclass in finding the funny in the ordinary — and trusting the muscle. You can find his recent 15-minute show case on Youtube under Nateland Presents.

Crowd Work with Michael Halcomb

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 18:45:47 -0400

This pod’s guest is Michael Halcomb — a professor, pastor, comedian, and podcaster from North Carolina, proving once and for all that the best way to handle hecklers is with a sermon, a syllabus, and a punchline.

Chris asks Michael and Mike about their jointly-authored article “10 Ways to Upgrade Your Crowd Work” — covering how to turn audience chaos into comedy, why professors secretly make great MCs, and when it’s okay to recycle a drunk guy named Tony from last weekend’s show. They also give adaptable advice like "repeat whatever they say" and "embrace the silence."

See more of Michael’s work at MichaelHalcomb.Live and on Substack.

Two Hours of Funny, Every. Single. Day. With Pete Schwaba

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 15:54:32 -0300

In this episode of The Funny Muscle Podcast, we welcome Pete Schwaba — veteran comedian, screenwriter, actor, and radio host — to prove that comedy isn’t just about punchlines; it’s about endurance, caffeine, and creative chaos. Pete shares war stories from the road, how writing a two-hour daily radio show feels like prepping a stand-up set that never ends, and why curveballs and misdirection are his favorite tools for building jokes. He even drops a heckler-handling trick that uses just two words — and no, it’s not the two you’re thinking of. Tune in to find them out.

How Comics Think While You Laugh (Inside the Comic's Brain)

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 18:11:45 -0300

Ever wonder what a stand-up is really doing onstage while you’re laughing? This episode breaks down the invisible gears turning inside a comic’s brain — the quick rewrites, subtle pauses, and instinctive callbacks that make a joke feel alive in the room. Mike and Chris explore how great comics read an audience in real time and adjust every beat to create something unrepeatable — a shared moment that feels spontaneous but is secretly engineered like a Rube Goldberg machine that dispenses laughter instead of marbles.

What Makes an ‘Unlikely Scenario’ Funny? (And Why Comics Love It)

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 00:19:45 -0300

“You never see…” — it’s one of comedy’s favorite springboards into the ridiculous. In this episode of The Funny Muscle Podcast, Mike and Chris grab the metaphorical coach’s playbook and diagram how pros turn that setup into laugh-out-loud gold. Along the way, they break down three humor heightening devices — Uncommon Worlds, Unlikely Scenarios, and Incongruity — showing how comics bend reality, collide worlds, and twist expectations to squeeze every laugh from a premise.

Comic Timing with Tim Alexander

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 22:07:17 -0300

You’d think comedians would be the ones giving lessons on timing. But this week, we flipped the snare. Our guest is Tim Alexander, the legendary drummer for Blue Man Group and Primus, who joins the Funny Muscle Pod to teach us about timing. Turns out, drummers and comedians share the same secret weapon: the pause. The space between the beats, or between the setups and punchlines, is where the tension builds and where the audience leans in before the payoff.

Hook, Line, and Punchline: The Science of Bait and Switch

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 13:47:25 -0300

Think you saw the punchline coming? Good comics make sure you don’t. In this Funny Muscle Pod, Mike and Chris break down bait and switch — the move where you’re sure you know the joke’s ending, then wind up face-down in a completely different punchline. We analyze the tape of the Naked Gun’s deadpan reveals, Dave Barry’s elegant sentence swerves, and stand-up jokes from comedians Tom Cotter, Jon Stewart and Jim Jeffries. We show how great comics bait the hook before yanking the rug. Plus, we share tips for crafting setups that make the “switch” land every time.

Hacking a Small Crowd

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 14:06:20 -0300

Not every room will be packed—sometimes you’re on stage for fewer people than your car’s backseat can handle. In the latest episode of the Funny Muscle Pod, Mike shares battle-tested tips for how to turn a modest crowd into a memorable performance, like boost your pace and go local. We also learn how to say what they’re thinking—lightly. If your audience is thinking, “Is this crowd supposed to be this small?”, Mike teaches how to nudge that thought without making anyone feel self-conscious.

The "Excellent Choice" Effect: Stand-up Techniques for Public Speaking

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 22:18:49 -0300

Why do we feel so good when a waiter says “excellent choice” after we order the salmon instead of the flank steak?

Mike and Chris break down the psychology behind that little dopamine hit and show you how to use the same principle to level up your comedy, corporate communication, public speaking, and even your skills as a great emcee. They also dig into the respective articles they wrote for Finding Your Funny Muscle:

How to Strengthen Your Corporate Communication Using the Funny Muscle Method - Finding Your Funny Muscle

What Great Comedy MCs Actually Do (Besides Just Not Sucking) - Finding Your Funny Muscle

Stand-Up Techniques for Public Speaking: For Professors, Policy Nerds, and People Who Sweat in Blazers - Finding Your Funny Muscle

Tune in for practical tips, emcee hacks, a few laughs, and the occasional menu metaphor.

Feel Something, Say Something: Turning Topics Into Premises Using Emotions

Sat, 14 Jun 2025 15:54:35 -0300

On this episode of Funny Muscle, the team tackles one of the most important — and often overlooked by new comics — steps in joke creation: assigning an emotion to a topic. Because “air travel” isn’t funny. But your deep personal betrayal by a TSA muffin confiscation? That’s a premise. They look at how pros use an emotional POV to instantly transform a generic idea into a living, breathing premise that’s ready for punchlines.

Hour A Day to Write Comedy? 12 Comics' Advice (part 2)

Tue, 06 May 2025 17:05:55 -0300

In this episode, we cornered a dozen comedians—some voluntarily—and asked:
“If you had one hour a day to train your comedy off-stage, what would you do?” There’s a wide range of answers. One practices in front of a mirror. One writes down everything that irritates them until they become punchlines. One looks up 20 facts about a topic. And yes—several review their sets like it’s game tape, pausing to say things like “Here’s where I lost Iowa.” This episode will give comedy training ideas for you to try out.

Work to the Top of Your Intelligence with Jimmy Shubert

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 18:59:30 -0300

Nationally touring comedian, actor, and verbal hurricane Jimmy Shubert stops by the Funny Muscle Pod to talk about his legendary career, offer some top-shelf joke-writing advice, and reveal his secret weapon: the “20 Facts, 20 Jokes” method. Basically, he starts with facts and then writes jokes about them. That’s it. That’s the system. And it works, because he's Jimmy Freakin’ Shubert.

Described by some as a “renegade wordsmith who works to the top of his intelligence” Jimmy shares wisdom, war stories, and maybe a few borderline-illegal punchlines.

Also, he’s dropped four albums that sound like either comedy specials or monster truck rallies: “Animal Instincts,” “Pandemonium,” “Alive & Kickin’,” and “Zero Tolerance”—plus a Comedy Central special. Take notes. Jimmy did not come here to mess around.

The Business Side of Stand-Up

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 14:36:21 -0300

Here at the Funny Muscle Pod, we chat a lot about the skills in crafting jokes, but in this episode, we take a hard turn to the business side of comedy. And although the business of stand-up is as glamorous as a motel continental breakfast, it’s needed. We grill Mike, a seasoned touring comedian, on crucial survival skills, such as how to avoid burnout on the road (step one: don’t live entirely on gas station taquitos), why you need an EPK (which we promise is not a new cryptocurrency), and the dark, mysterious science of venue pricing. Also, we talk about selling merch, because nothing says 'comedy legend' like convincing strangers to buy a T-shirt with your face on it.

Marketing Your Comedy Brand with David Uribe

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 16:06:16 -0300

How do you market your comedy brand? How do you get more likes, shares, and followers without resorting to bribery or adopting an emotional support ferret for viral content?

The biggest comics know the secrets of online marketing—like how to trick the algorithm into showing your jokes to more than just your mom and that one guy from high school.

To help us crack the code, we invited David Uribe—marketing consultant at comedybranding.com, dabbler in comedy, and full-time knower of things—to our podcast. David shares expert tips on how to grow your brand, land gigs, attract fans, and—most importantly—monetize your humor so you can finally afford something fancier than gas station burritos.

Comedy Competitions with Kenny Lee

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 15:52:28 -0400

Join us on the Funny Muscle Pod as we sit down with Kenny Lee, winner of the 2024 Purvis Wilson Funniest Stand-Up in Dallas Competition. Known for his sharp, cunning comedy, Kenny (@KennyLee270) takes us behind the scenes of his joke-writing process, shares how he developed his comedic persona, and talks about the power of working clean. Plus, he breaks down the strategy behind competing in stand-up competitions and how he crafted his sets to win each round.

Not Giving Up on a Bit with CAIN

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 17:40:06 -0400

In this episode of the Funny Muscle Pod, we sit down with rising Dallas comic CAIN (@funnycain_) to talk comedy, persistence, and the art of refining bits. He shares valuable advice on not giving up on jokes, reworking material, and navigating the Dallas open mic scene. Plus, CAIN reveals how he draws inspiration from professional wrestling and magic to elevate his act. Don't miss this insightful conversation.

Punch Lines and Cruise Ships with Brad Tassell

Sat, 15 Feb 2025 16:35:28 -0400

Comedian and author Brad Tassell joins the Funny Muscle Podcast to talk about joke writing, performing comedy on cruise ships, and how the comedy scene today compares to the 90s. As the creator and co-host of the Virtual Comedy Show, Brad brings years of experience and insight into crafting punchlines—sharing advice that’s simple yet often overlooked.

Find the Funny and Never be Annoyed: Payton Payne

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 02:02:08 -0400

What better person to teach us how to do your first year of comedy more efficiently than someone who recently did her first year of comedy very efficiently. Payton Payne, a Dallas comic, joins the Funny Muscle Pod to teach us how she uses stage time to craft jokes, and how, when you constantly are looking for ways to make things funny, typically annoying instances no longer bother you.

Get Better at Comedy Faster with Paul Varghese

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 13:47:24 -0400

Paul Varghese is a comedian and actor who appeared on the reality show Last Comic Standing 2. He’s toured with Joan Rivers and Gabriel Iglesias. He has been doing stand-up since 2001 and lives in Dallas Texas, so Mike (also in Dallas) had some questions about the local scene. We talk a lot about comedy writing, what it’s like being a comic of Indian descent, and the evolution of comedy over the past 3 decades. Paul has a completely innovative way that he uses to get his mind into the comedy-flow-state-writing zone. Tune in to find it out.

Being Yourself on Stage with Dwayne Kennedy

Sat, 18 Jan 2025 18:03:30 -0400

In this episode we chat with Dwayne Kennedy, a stand-up comedian, actor and writer. Dwayne has also written for The Arsenio Hall Show and The Orlando Jones Show. He has played roles in such classic series as Seinfeld, Martin, 227, and Amen. Having done comedy for more than 3 decades, Dwayne is in the unique position to talk about the state of comedy today. His advice on “being yourself” on stage is a great tip for younger comedians.

Blue Man Comedy with Jeffrey Nicholas Brown

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 00:43:19 -0400

The Funny Muscle Podcast welcomes our first Blue Man in this episode. Which is challenging since the Blue Man Group doesn't talk. Fortunately, this Blue Man is also Nickelodeon Famous. Jeffrey Nicholas Brown is most known for his role as "Jake Hart" on Nickelodeon's Henry Danger. (So, he can talk and does so during the interview) Jeffrey also does stand-up. His advice about getting laughs without talking like he does as a Blue Man is great for new comics.

Million Words Writing Challenge

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:30:47 -0400

Chris travels to Dallas for this one. He joins Mike's comedy office hours on Wednesday at the Dallas Comedy Club to workshop material with students. They talk about crafting comedy bits in a group setting. They also chat about Mike's journey to improve his writing using a challenge: The Ice Bucket Writing Challenge which involves writing Hemingway-like prose or taking an ice bath. (Kidding! Though such prose would look like “I took the bucket of ice. It chilled me to the bone. But a man must endure. A man must prevail.”). Mike's challenge involved writing 1,000,000 words. There's great advice in this one for new comedy writers looking to develop better writing habits.

Click to read: Ten Ways the Million Words Challenge Made Me a Better Writer

Comedy as a Booker, Teacher, Mom and Comic: Magen King

Sat, 07 Dec 2024 22:10:26 -0400

The Funny Muscle Podcast chats with a comedian, a storyteller, an award-winning radio host, a mom and a comedy teacher in this episode. And they are all the same person: Magen King. She was a finalist in the World Series of Comedy and a finalist for three consecutive years in the Funniest Comic in Texas. She teaches at the Dallas Comedy Club. We talk about booking talent in the Dallas area, her tips on writing new material, her comedy lens as a mom of three teenagers, and some advice she obtained along the way from other comedians.

Comedy Song Writing with Tim Cavanagh

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 19:40:12 -0400

The Funny Muscle welcomes to the podcast its first guitar. And accompanying that guitar is comedian and songwriter Tim Cavanagh, who has been in the comedy business for almost four decades. His first CD, “Sounds Like Fun!” was released in 1997. Tim tells us how he credits deadlines and his weekly segment called “The One Minute Song” on “The Bob & Tom Show” for his ability to create laughs. Tim gives us advice on finding connections for joke writing, turning a premise into a song, and replicating his creative process. We also get to hear the guitar during several of his songs.

Creating Distinct Voices with Darren McStay

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 19:54:08 -0400

To improve their character voices, Mike and Chris chat with actor, musician, filmmaker and voice coach Darren McStay whose Youtube channel “Improve Your Voice” has millions of downloads.

Darren teaches warm up techniques, why it’s important to commit to a character and tips on sticking with that character.

Maybe the best advice Darren teaches during the episode is how to use physicality and body-focus to perfect your voices.

If all your characters sound the same, this episode is perfect for you.

*** If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to give us a share, like, and follow! Thanks :)

Turning Topics into Premises

Sat, 09 Nov 2024 21:58:02 -0400

"Cats" is a topic, but it's not until you say something like "Cats bother me as an economist." have you transformed your material into a premise.

In this episode we make that distinction.

We also learn how Mike's comedy teaching classes in Dallas are coming alone.

And we talk about Mike's aha moment during improv training.

Listen to this episode if you're unclear how to morph a topic into a premise, if you want improv advice, or you want to learn how Mike's brain works when punching up jokes for someone else's writing.

*** If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to give us a share, like, and follow! Thanks :)

An Hour a Day to Write Jokes? Here's What the Pros Do (Advice from 12 Comedians)

Sat, 19 Oct 2024 02:27:22 -0300

We asked each of our last 12 comedy pro guests what they'd tell new comedians to do if they had an hour a day to write jokes. Here's a compilation of their best advice.

Lenny Schmidt
Nathan Timmel
Steph Clark
Kevin Rogers
Dan Bakkedahl
Dan Carlson
Doby Maxwell
Tom Clark
Dr. Caleb Warren
Jake Vevera
Rich Talarico
Adam Bloom

*** If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to give us a share, like, and follow! Thanks :)

Comedy Drills and Comedy Specials with Jake Vevera

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 13:39:50 -0300

New York comedian and co-host of the podcast “Idiots on Parade” Jake Vevera (@jakevevera) stops by the Funny Muscle Podcast to talk about his upcoming comedy special, which is about to be released on YouTube.

Jake is full of advice for new comedians like his three-sentence joke writing drill and his advice on stage time.

Find out why Jake also tells new comics to pretend that their audience doesn’t speak English.

(hint: It forces you to work on your cadence and timing.)

*** If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to give us a share, like, and follow! Thanks :)

Comedy on Cruises with Lenny Schmidt

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 18:54:59 -0300

Lenny Schmidt stops by the Funny Muscle Podcast to teach us about the logistics of planning comedy material for 5 nights in a row on a cruise ship (hint: you got to keep track of your call-back jokes).

Lenny, who has been doing comedy since the 1980s, also studied improv in Chicago. You may recognize Lenny in movies like “Joe Dirt” and “The Ugly Truth”, and TV shows; “Castle”, “True Blood”, “Big Love”, “ER”, and “Desperate Housewives.”

The episode is full of great advice on how Lenny brainstorms, writes, organizes and perfects his comedy craft.

*** If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to give us a share, like, and follow! Thanks :)

Corporate Gigs and Comedy for the Troops with Nathan Timmel

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 14:58:18 -0300

Headlining comedian, author, and host of the podcast “Idiots on Parade” Nathan Timmel invades the Funny Muscle Podcast to talk about the current state of comedy, to tell us tricks for doing corporate gigs, and to tell us stories about performing for troops overseas.

As always, we get his advice on writing and creating new material for new comics.

You can find his latest comedy special “Unapologetic” on YouTube.

*** If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to give us a share, like, and follow! Thanks :)

Writing Comedy Monologues with Ben Alper

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 17:57:47 -0300

We learn about writing monologue jokes with Ben Alper who has written jokes for several decades and has seen them performed by the likes of Jay Leno and Dave Letterman.

We discuss his recently published book: Live from the Beginning of Time: Late Night Comedy Monologues Through the Ages.

The book imagines if there were late-night talk show hosts during things like the discovery of fire and the development of democracy.

The episode will give you tips on writing jokes for topical news stories.

*** If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to give us a share, like, and follow! Thanks :)

Mike's first set in 10 years and Book 3 Flexing Your Funny Muscle

Mon, 19 Aug 2024 18:33:41 -0300

On the same week that Mike released the third book in the Funny Muscle series, he did something he hasn’t done in 10 years: he strolled on stage and performed a 5-minute set.

We talk all about it in this episode.

We also dust off the Humor Blueprint to diagram a few pro comics’ bits to give the listener practice identifying joke structure, humor heightening devices, and misdirection.

And we debut our Humor Blueprint jingle.

*** If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to give us a share, like, and follow! Thanks :)

Booking Talent with Dan Carlson

Mon, 05 Aug 2024 14:00:49 -0300

Comedian, Director of the Chicago Comedy Festival, and former General Manager of Zanies Comedy Club in Rosemont, Dan Carlson, stops by the Funny Muscle Podcast.

Dan teaches us how to capture a booker’s attention in the first minute of a set, how the finances between the comic and club work, and when to know if you are ready to jump from opener to middle to headliner.

*** If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to give us a share, like, and follow! Thanks :)

An Academic Look at Why Things are Funny: Benign Violation Theory with Dr. Caleb Warren

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 13:14:24 -0300

Dr. Caleb Warren joins the podcast to give Mike and Chris an academic and research-based look at why things are funny using a framework known as the “Benign Violation Theory.”

Dr. Warren is a professor in the Marketing Department at the University of Arizona and one of the authors of a paper called “Benign violations: Making immoral behavior funny.”

His particular areas of research focus on what makes things funny, what makes things cool, and what helps people reach their goals.

We put his humor theory to the test chatting about tinkling, roasts, and comedy crowds.

*** If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to give us a share, like, and follow! Thanks :)

The Comic and Booker's Advice with Steph Clark

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 20:50:00 -0300

We chat with comedian Steph Clark who is also the owner of Funny Girl Events.

So, we get advice from a comic's perspective as well as a booker.

We learn some dos and don'ts of impressing a comedy booker, what it's like to be married to a comedian, and regional differences in comedy as Steph performs frequently in the LA area and the Midwest.

*** If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to give us a share, like, and follow! Thanks :)

Restarting Stand-up; Copywriting and Comedy with Kevin Rogers

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 18:12:35 -0300

New comics will appreciate the advice from touring comedian Kevin Rogers, who took 12 years off to build a family and business, who then had to turn his comedy creation machine back on to create 20 minutes of new material in a new generation with a whole new comedy lens.

Kevin Rogers is a comedian, business guru, and author who helps businesses write the words that hook customers and boost sales.

Kevin steps into Funny Muscle world to teach us how the skills of stand-up comedy augment the art of copywriting and vice versa.

We also break down his new material and how he crafted it---the clips are interspersed throughout the interview.

*** If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to give us a share, like, and follow! Thanks :)

Improv in Acting with Dan Bakkedahl (aka Congressman Roger Furlong)

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 22:33:00 -0300

Actor and improvisational comedian Dan Bakkedahl stops by the podcast to chat about acting, improv, auditioning for roles, starting out in Chicago, and heightening comedy scenes.

Dan is known for his role on the sitcom Life in Pieces, as Congressman Roger Furlong on the series VEEP, and as Steven Nugent in the series Legit.

He also worked as a correspondent on three seasons of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.

*** If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to give us a share, like, and follow! Thanks :)

Developing bits, Doing the small things, and Dry Bar Specials with "The Dented Can" Dobie Maxwell

Fri, 21 Jun 2024 00:49:47 -0300

Stopping by the Funny Muscle Podcast is “The Dented Can” Dobie Maxwell.

He is a comedian, actor, radio personality, comedy instructor, comedy writer and author.

His passion for comedy and mentoring is quickly apparent.

We chat about how he earned his set on the Late Late Show, his comedy lens, joke development, his recent Dry Bar Special, and doing the small things---outside the jokes----that can help your career as a comic.

Dobie also gives us some lessons on comedy from an unexpected source: pro wrestling.

*** If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to give us a share, like, and follow! Thanks :)

Chatting with the "Bad" Boy of Comedy: Tom Clark

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 16:16:44 -0300

The "Bad" Boy of Comedy from Wisconsin Tom Clark joins the Funny Muscle Podcast to talk about:

* What’s it like to do a set on Conan

*Tips of doing clean comedy (especially in Utah)

*How he added vulnerability to his comedy persona

*Advice he learned from doing New Faces in the Montreal Comedy Festival

Tom has appeared on Conan, Netflix, Comedy Central, HBO, NBC, ABC, FOX, and CBS. He starred in two comedy specials in the same year, "Outraged" on Amazon Prime & "I'm a Rescue" on Dry Bar Comedy.

Tom (@TomClarkComedy) helps Mike (@mlukas1111) and Chris (@econ_comic) analyze play-by-play parts of his comedy specials.

The clips are interspersed into the podcast.

*** If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to give us a share, like, and follow! Thanks :)

What a Weak Premise Lacks

Sat, 08 Jun 2024 00:12:39 -0300

A comedian starts a joke by making an interesting assertion.

The audience wonders, “How will they ever prove that to us with their unique take?"

Mike and Chris talk about the tactics to make that happen as they break down some pro comic bits and teach how to write jokes with "premise intrigue."

Like play-by-play sports analysts, they also freeze frame and diagram comic material (Louis C.K, Bill Burr, Tom Papa) by pointing out the humor blueprint elements and heightening devices those pros used to get their laughs.

*** If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to give us a share, like, and follow! Thanks :)

In the Writers Room at Key and Peele: Chatting with Rich Talarico

Fri, 31 May 2024 01:26:53 -0300

I spill my drink, and my friend says, “Ya done messed up Ay-Ay-Ron!”

My friend is quoting the viral Key and Peele sketch: The Substitute Teacher.

In this episode of the Funny Muscle Podcast, we got to chat with the writer who came up with that sketch: Rich Talarico. He’s a Peabody Award-winning writer/producer with four Emmy and four WGA Award nominations, as well as an improviser, comedy teacher and stand-up comedian.

We get to learn about sketch writing, the importance of writing for a specific comedy persona, what it’s like to be in the writing room on SNL and Key and Peele.

He’s written for Jay Leno and has a great Carson impression. He’s also in one of the most memorable root beer commercials.

*** If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to give us a share, like, and follow! Thanks :)

How to Get Booked as a New Comedian

Fri, 17 May 2024 00:15:37 -0300

In an effort to show how a comedian's brain instantly "blows up" a situation to notice the funny, Chris and Mike practice some improv drills at the beginning of the episode.

This might send you Googling, "What are Tiddleywinks?"

Then Mike tells some stories from the beginning of his comedy career to teach the tips and tactics on how a new comedian can get their first booking.

*** If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to give us a share, like, and follow! Thanks :)

Advice from Two Veteran Comedians: Part 2 with Adam Bloom

Thu, 09 May 2024 18:29:16 -0300

In part 2 of the conversation with Adam Bloom (@adambloomcomedy) we get deeper into the pedagogical side of comedy and go deeper into Adam’s book: Finding Your Comic Genius: An in-depth guide to the art of stand-up comedy.”

Mike (@mlukas1111) and Chris (@econ_comic) also learn about Adam’s thoughts on comedy in the US compared to the UK, how rap and rhythm impacts comedy, and writing exercises new comedians can use to generate more material.

*** If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to give us a share, like, and follow! Thanks :)

Finding Your Comic Genius with Adam Bloom

Mon, 06 May 2024 12:25:20 -0300

Mike (@mlukas1111) and Chris (@econ_comic) chat with British comedian, writer, and author of “Finding Your Comic Genius: An in-depth guide to the art of stand-up comedy” Adam Bloom.

In part 1 of the conversation with Adam (@adambloomcomedy), we chat about the self-publishing process, Adam’s first gig, and how his comedy persona has evolved since that first gig.

We also hear about Adam’s process on generating new material and adding “toppers.”

In the same way a veteran comic’s brain works out new material out loud, you can see Adam’s brain in action, as we chat, working out the perfect wording on advice for new comedians.

His book is filled with this great advice.

*** If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to give us a share, like, and follow! Thanks :)

Handling Hecklers: "Buff your head for a nickel!"

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 12:48:34 -0300

“Buff your head for a nickel!” might not be a heckle you’re likely to get, but it is for Mike Lukas.

And he knows how to handle it masterfully.

We hear all about that funny anecdote in this episode of the Funny Muscle Podcast. Mike (@mlukas1111) arms Chris’s comedy tool belt with tools and tactics to deal with hecklers.

And the lessons aren’t just for comics.

These crowd-shepherding skills work in all types of situations (work presentations, weddings speeches, parole board hearings).

*** If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to give us a share, like, and follow! Thanks :)

Things I Learned in the First Year of Comedy I Didn't Know at the Start

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 13:03:30 -0300

Fact checking comedy is often a fool's errand.

(Well sir, I checked, and the phrase "a bushy bushy blonde hairdo, surfin' USA" does not in fact appear in the Declaration of Independence.)

But sometimes it's needed. Like now. Chris (@econ_comic) and Mike (@mlukas1111) workshop a premise at the end of the episode about the famous Everest-climbing quote "because it's there," which Mike mistakenly attributed to Davy Crockett.

(Kidding).

We thought it was Edmund Hillary, when in fact it was George Mallory who said it.

In this episode, as one of Mike's pupils, Chris reflects on what he's learned in his first year doing comedy.

You can find the article at Funnymuscle.com.

*** If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to give us a share, like, and follow! Thanks :)

Warming Up a Cold Crowd

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 12:30:41 -0300

Forty years ago, the emcee of a comedy show would likely have been the most experienced comedian, who didn’t need any help capturing an audience.

Today’s model, however, has a newer comic playing that role.

So being skilled at warming up a cold crowd is an important skill for a new comic.

Mike walks us through some tactics on how to get an audience’s attention before springing jokes on them.

The best advice might be to think of warming up a crowd like foreplay.

*** If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to give us a share, like, and follow! Thanks :)

Mistakes a New Comic Makes

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 10:33:00 -0300

You’ve probably envisioned yourself performing in a crowded room, but what about a completely empty one?

We get to hear about one of Mike’s successful auditions that took place in front of no one.

He admits he got the gig not because he was the funniest, but because he used some tactics that a new comic often overlooks.

We talk about those tactics (mic etiquette, eye contact and respecting your allotted time) as Mike gives us the top mistakes a new comedian makes.

*** If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to give us a share, like, and follow! Thanks :)

10 Things a New Standup Comic Needs to Do

Sun, 31 Mar 2024 17:53:01 -0300

Does your outfit support your comedic persona? Wait! Have you even developed your unique persona? Do you have a set list? Do your jokes have misdirection? How do open mics even work? How do veteran comics deal with nerves before a performance? Mike (@mlukas1111) and Chris (@econ_comic) answer these questions and more in this episode of the Funny Muscle Podcast while giving learners a top 10 checklist to prepare for their first 5-minute open mic.

Heightening Bits with Sound Effects and by Overstating the Obvious

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 22:28:46 -0400

What does a golf club sound like being thrown across the course?

We learn how Mike (@mlukas1111) made the frustrated golfer come alive with the humor heightening device sound effects.

We also introduce "overstating the obvious" (wherein you emphasize the glaringly apparent, obviously) and "made up institutions" while discussing truth in comedy.

Chris (@econ_comic) learns how to not turn your audience away by claiming to have done something you hadn't.

*** If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to give us a share, like, and follow! Thanks :)

Expanding Your Bits with These Devices: Anthropomorphize, Contrast, Cut Back To

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 12:35:57 -0400

Mike (@mlukas1111) and Chris (@econ_comic) talk about 3 more humor heightening devices in this episode: anthropomorphize, contrast, and cut back to.

We listen to and learn about Mike’s talking alarm clock while we learn why it’s not enough to give something a voice, you must give it an attitude/opinion as well.

We also learn how contrasts work with a bit about asking for the directions in New York vs. the Midwest.

And we cut back to Mike’s first kiss.

*** If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to give us a share, like, and follow! Thanks :)

Bait and Switch, Cut Forward To, Funny Specifics (Deep Dive into Humor Heightening)

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 12:39:37 -0400

In the previous episode Mike threw a bunch of humor heightening devices at Chris’s Plane PDA bit to show how to transform a 20 second joke into a 2-3 minute bit, but they never gave a full explanation of each heightening device.

In this episode, Mike (@mlukas1111) and Chris (@econ_comic) take a deep dive into 3 specific heightening devices (bait and switch, cut forward to, and funny specifics) while dissecting a bit by Wanda Sykes and by pointing out the humor devices in the writing of David Sedaris.

*** If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to give us a share, like, and follow! Thanks :)

How to Heighten Your Bits

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 19:43:44 -0400

Mike sees it all the time at open mics: a new comic does a good bit but leaves it under-developed.

That 20 second joke could turn into 3 great minutes of material if the open mic-er would learn to use what Mike has dubbed the “humor heightening devices.”

In this episode, Chris (@econ_comic) brings a fresh joke idea to Mike (@mlukas1111) who then runs it through the humor heightening devices to produce more and more material.

We see techniques like anthropomorphizing, extension, exaggeration, different perspectives and bait and switch.

This episode will give you a hands-on look at the humor heightening devices in action.

*** If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to give us a share, like, and follow! Thanks :)

The Humor Blueprint

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 16:49:16 -0400

Misdirection is at the heart of getting laughs.

That’s one piece of advice often overlooked by fledgling comics.

In this episode, Mike (@mlukas1111) teaches how comics can use misdirection to their advantage.

He does so with a tool/template he’s dubbed the Humor Blueprint.

Mike teaches the Humor Blueprint, then Chris (@econ_comic) runs some famous bits through the Blueprint as practice.

*** If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to give us a share, like, and follow! Thanks :)

The Comedy Lens

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 01:43:41 -0400

Why is understanding your Comedy Lens a critical first step to learning how to do standup comedy?

What’s your unique take? What’s your persona?

The comedy lens gives you a port hole through which to view the world.

This helps in narrowing your focus when writing material.

A clear comedy lens also increases the chances that your audience will remember you.

The discussion concludes with some take-away homework for the listener by providing 4 questions to answer to get you started developing your own comedy lens.

*** If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to give us a share, like, and follow! Thanks :)