r/improv • u/Duke-Berryman • 2d ago

Telegraphing a joke

Here's a great comedy lesson from Steve Martin: you can telegraph a joke from a mile away and it will still be funny. Similar to how Penn & Teller show the audience how a trick is done, then actually do the trick, and the audience is still amazed. Feel free to give away the punchline because it will still be funny when you deliver it.

Know any other examples like this? Or comics that put the punchline first, like a Jeopardy question?

https://youtu.be/276xNCbUDX8?si=DUUdPa9Jevt11PC5

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u/Bigsmak 2d ago edited 2d ago

Not improv, but Anthony Jeselnik does the opposite. He sets up a joke with an obvious punchline and then delivers something different. Like his one with the bible from his grandmother. It works for him

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u/Duke-Berryman 2d ago

Yes - I've seen a couple of his specials - such a distinct style