School of Laughs

Today we wrap up the long-running (6 1/2 years) School of Laughs podcast! It started in July of 2014 and has run the course of over 255 episodes. If you have a question about stand-up comedy we have covered it on this podcast.  So as we wrap, where do you go from here? Today we talk about clearing off your schedule for upcoming goals. You can't add something new unless you subtract something from your list of tasks. What will those things be for you?  Lastly, what is your 5-10 year plan? Have you thought about how to get where you need to be to make those plans happen? We talk about a few things to consider when pursuing stand-up comedy as a career.  It's been a fun run. Thanks for listening. I hope you continue to share past episodes with your friends. Revisit topics as they become relevant for you.  (c)(p) 2022 School of Laughs Podcast www.SchoolOfLaughs.com www.RikRoberts.com  1-888-895-8549

1/1/22 • 19:14

Today we focus on the year ahead. What are you trying to accomplish moving forward? Yes, it's the annual goals tracker worksheet episode! You can download the Goals Tracker Worksheet .pdf by clicking HERE. Thanks to the Patreon sponsor for this episode John Smith. We'll cover how to set attainable goals in bite-sized pieces. Specifically, we get into goals about: Writing comedy Writing with others Performing on stage Performing Virtual Creating Virtual Solutions Updating Websites E-mail Newsletter Lists Networking Ideas Cultivating your Social Media following and much, much, more! This goals tracker worksheet is one of my go-to for really understanding if I made any progress in the previous year or not. It also helps me pinpoint what I can do better and where I should spend my time. It will do the same for you. (C)(P) SCHOOL OF LAUGHS WWW.SCHOOLOFLAUGHS.COM  

12/15/21 • 32:07

Sharing marketing tips for comics is the one and wonderful Tracy DeGraff. After penning her first book, "Laugh Anyway Mom", Tracy took classes at The Second City in Chicago hoping to take her stories to the comedy stage. Today, she joins us to share insights on what has worked (along with a few things that didn't) on her way to creating her one woman show. She emphasizes the need to pave your own P.R. way in order to sell tickets, bring awareness, and earn money as a comedian or speaker. Thanks to our PATREON sponsor for this episode MAX WINFREY! MARKETING TIPS FOR COMICS SHOW NOTES Specifically, we talk about: Her journey from writer to stand-up comedian/speaker Testing her book title and getting insightful feedback The difference between stand-up and storytelling Trading off her expertise to learn stand-up Taking classes at The Second City Why she chose to self-publish The difficulty in finding her ideal audience to test comedy Why it took awhile for her to utilize her journalism and PR degree How to get featured in local newspapers Why newspapers need content Providing everything needed to publish your story 3 Keys to getting published! How to "reverse-engineer" your shows for maximum return Producing her next video special How to determine an ad budget for your own show Capturing e-mail addresses and how to use them afterwards The benefits of using MAILCHIMP to create email campaigns Providing something to bookers so they remember you and much more. Visit her website: https://tracydegraaf.com (c)(p) School Of Laughs.com www.SchoolOfLaughs.com    

12/1/21 • 32:53

I just wrapped up 17 shows in 27 days. I am still learning how to be a comedian, speaker, facilitator, and actor. On top of that, I have to book travel and get myself to and from the gigs. Today I am going to share with you a lesson learned from each of the events. During the run, my shows consisted of two of my speeches, my stand-up, personal appearances, and as audience warm-up. It requires a lot of versatility and resilience. Sometimes I think those qualities are more important than talent. Probably not, but they help! Nevertheless, this episode is chock full of comedy lessons learned during the 17 events performed. Thanks to our PATREON sponsor for this episode JOHN PETERS! COMEDY LESSONS LEARNED - SHOW NOTES Specifically, I'll talk about: What Barney Fife, Realtors, and a Mexican Restaurant have in common A unique soundproof booth for doing a zoom interview How an outreach event turned into a virtual solo show Why being overprepared comes in handy A lesson in generosity Standing your ground to protect your health and restfulness Working in new material How a former NFL player gave me a set-up for a new joke What to do when a health official coughs all over your microphone Being appreciative of your friends and family Remembering to loosen up and "add the flavor" Making a wish and top golf Rolling the dice on an Uber in Atlantic City The accent in Boston I wasn't expecting Establishing off-stage relationships with clients and CEO's How refreshing it is to work with other comics Knowing your crowd and when to slow down How gender jokes can still work and much more. Folks mentioned in this episode include: Dan Swartout [Episode 092] Let Your Style Develop John Branyan [Episode 116] Three New Premises Andrew Rudick David Pendleton Chris Cohen === NEVER MISS A PODCAST OR POST If you enjoy this PODCAST please subscribe in iTunes or STITCHER and leave a comment and ranking. Better yet, subscribe to the monthly School of Laughs “Insider Tips” email and get exclusive information delivered right to your inbox. It’s fast, free, useful, and fun. Just email: SchoolOfLaughs@gmail.com and put “insider tip sheet” in the subject header. I’ll make sure you get the official tip sheet and I promise to keep your email anonymous and spam-free.

11/16/21 • 61:19

Today I am discussing comedy win-win opportunities with Chester Goad. I met Chester a few years ago at the BIG PODCAST conference with David Hooper. We've been in the loop ever since. During the past 18 months, we've spent many hours on coaching calls. Sometimes it is spent developing material, or creating a game plan. And always, trying to find win-win opportunities to develop his stage time and material. Chester is also a writer and actor. A podcast host (Film Fresh and Leader Byte). Learn more and contact Chester Goad at https://www.chesterg.com. COMEDY WIN-WIN OPPORTUNITIES WITH CHESTER GOAD SHOW NOTES Specifically, we talk about: cutting your teeth on shows where patrons don't expect to see a comedian providing value to a venue instead of asking for stage time writing about what you know connecting with the audience through local material networking in a real way with other comics the value of encouragement sometimes the payoff comes later than you expect Gutty's Comedy Club The Clean Comedy Challenge What Chester knows about BIGFOOT and much more. === NEVER MISS A PODCAST OR POST If you enjoy this PODCAST please subscribe in iTunes or STITCHER and leave a comment and ranking. Better yet, subscribe to the monthly School of Laughs “Insider Tips” email and get exclusive information delivered right to your inbox. It’s fast, free, useful, and fun. Just email: SchoolOfLaughs@gmail.com and put “insider tip sheet” in the subject header. I’ll make sure you get the official tip sheet and I promise to keep your email anonymous and spam-free.

11/1/21 • 34:57

Have you thought about CREATING A COMEDY CD? Brian Kohatsu joins us today to talk about a project that had been on his list for roughly 5 years. Coivd gave him time to finally knock it out and he knocked it out of the park! I'll play a few clips from his project "Secret Asian Man" and dig into the process for making the CD happen. CREATING A COMEDY CD SHOW NOTES Specifically, we talk about: making the project personal by including friends and family the need for a plan, schedule, and focus incorporating impressions into the album how he has a knack for impersonating the laughs of famous people using his personal skills and talent to save money and studio fees recording at home while the family is around and much more. Learn more about Brian and purchase his project at www.BrianKohatsu.com === NEVER MISS A PODCAST OR POST If you enjoy this PODCAST please subscribe in iTunes or STITCHER and leave a comment and ranking. Better yet, subscribe to the monthly School of Laughs “Insider Tips” email and get exclusive information delivered right to your inbox. It’s fast, free, useful, and fun. Just email: SchoolOfLaughs@gmail.com and put “insider tip sheet” in the subject header. I’ll make sure you get the official tip sheet and I promise to keep your email anonymous and spam-free.

10/15/21 • 30:37

Do you struggle with memorizing your jokes? Have you ever had problems with your voice during a show? What are the pros and cons of using props or musical instruments on stage? In this “after-school special” recorded with students from the writing class in Nashville, we discuss several techniques to help you tie your jokes together. We talk about how to save your failing voice. We go into detail about the many negatives of lugging extra things with you onstage. Also, we discuss some of the benefits of using those guitars and props. LISTEN NOW: Overall, this is a wide-ranging, fast-paced episode with great questions from these students. Listen and you’ll discover: How a friend of mine memorizes 90 minutes of material using his house. How you can connect my show together with tag lines. What my “hourglass” approach to comedy is. Why I was told to “lose the guitar” – and why I’m glad I didn’t! What happened when Carrot Top lost his props in a fire at the club. Why do some comedy club managers hate dealing with props of any kind onstage? and much more. === NEVER MISS A PODCAST OR POST If you enjoy this PODCAST please subscribe in iTunes or STITCHER and leave a comment and ranking. Better yet, subscribe to the monthly School of Laughs “Insider Tips” email and get exclusive information delivered right to your inbox. It’s fast, free, useful, and fun. Just email: SchoolOfLaughs@gmail.com and put “insider tip sheet” in the subject header. I’ll make sure you get the official tip sheet and I promise to keep your email anonymous and spam-free.

10/2/21 • 41:22

Chris Ruppe is our guest on this episode, and he is also our Patreon sponsor. I first met Chris at a Christian Comedy Association conference. Since then he has developed material and started to think about going full time into comedy. Along those lines, Chris had some specific questions about making that move. If you are considering making comedy a full-time job, this episode is a musty listen. CHRIS RUPPE SHOW NOTES Specifically, we talk about: How he got started promoting shows before being a comedian Jokes he’s working on now Tips on finding an “extra gear” to copse your show on Writing his closing bits A fun way to find out who you talk about in your show Paul Gilmartin’s “Sister Joan” poem Tips on when to go full time in comedy How do you navigate secular shows as a Christian comedian? Do you think it is okay to collaborate as a comedian? Tips on getting booked. And much, much more. (c)(p) 2021 Rik Roberts School of Laughs www.SchoolOfLaughs.com

9/17/21 • 41:48

[This encore presentation of my interview with Jeanne Robertson is in honor of the late Speaker & Huomrists passing. Prayers and condolences for all those who were close to her. ] An interview with a rock star - Jeanne Robertson! In July of 2017, I had a great time talking with Jeanne. We discuss a career that started in the late ’60s and has carried her into the 2020s. You don’t last that 58 years in show business unless you are jaw-dropping funny. Jeanne Robertson absolutely is! Jeanne arrived on my radar in 2015 when I heard her routines on Laugh USA (SiriusXM Satellite radio). I had never crossed paths with her at a comedy club and kept wondering “Where did this hilarious lady come from?” It turns out she comes from North Carolina and entered comedy through the speaking circuit. She’s quick to tell you she is a humorist – not a stand-up comedian. But don’t let that fool you. Her stories are full of laughs all the way to the huge surprise payoff. With over 344,000 YouTube Subscribers and over 100 MILLION views, Jeanne grew more popular than ever. After getting to know her for years through her routines, I finally got the chance to meet up with Jeanne at a session on humor at the National Speaker’s Association conference in Orlando, FL. Jeanne Robertson Show Notes Specifically, we talk about: Connecting through the National Speakers Association Her upcoming show at the Ryman Auditorium Watching Carol Burnett live and getting to meet her Weaving a little audience participation into her shows Going from the Miss North Carolina Pageant to the speaking circuit Working in a message for her corporate audiences Embracing the internet and catapulting her career Getting help from Al McCree to go digital on iTunes The difference between being a speaker and a concert entertainer What to expect at a comedy club vs hearing a humorist Updating and improving material that continues to grow The origin of “Left Brain” stories based on her husband Jerry Giving the audience permission to laugh The process and steps she uses to develop stories The Genie Journal and how it helps accumulate stories How not talking about yourself can generate material And a whole lot more! Want to learn more about Jeanne Robertson Jeanne’s official website http://www.jeannerobertson.com “Don’t Send A Man To The Grocery Store” on YOUTUBE

9/1/21 • 39:09

In today's episode, Jonnie W. & Brian Bates join me. We discuss how the comedy scene is bouncing back, the latest Bo Burnham special, and how changing one line in a joke can take it to newer and sometimes better places. This episode is sponsored by Patreon supporter Jeremy Lee. If you would like to support the podcast please visit www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon. Specifically, we talk about: Are the audiences masked, stressed, or back to normal The vaccinated and the unvaccinated are all attending How the Delta Variant is causing disruption Venues and artists requiring audience members to be vaccinated to attend Bo Burnham's comedy special and how revealing it is (underwear alert) Our favorite parts of the special How technology has changed our cultural norm Why keeping new jokes conversational can lead to moments of discovery How a horrible audience can reveal your best material Are the first few minutes of your show super important or completely disposable? How Foxworthy and Leno treat their audiences WWW.SCHOOLOFLAUGHS.COM

8/15/21 • 43:28

Join me for an encore presentation of Episode #2 of the School of Laughs podcast. This episode is brought to you by Patreon supporter Josh Liston. Find out how you can help us stay on the air at www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon. Producer Gavin Miller gathered questions from a club full of aspiring comics just like yourself. When the dust settled we came up with a bunch of really specific tips to help you understand and grow your comedy career. LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE Below is a brief list of the topics developed just for you. Enjoy! The question behind everything you write. How to “float your jokes” when you aren’t on stage. How to use other characters to set up or deliver punch lines in your material. Shortcuts to finding your voice. Why putting yourself in the joke can open up more opportunities. Picking material when performing in a competition. Six keys to making your material connect with your audience. Show me the money! What are the average paychecks for club comics? Offstage moves that help you get behind the mic. The dangers of overstepping boundaries with bookers. The two kinds of club headliners. Why you shouldn’t let other people’s goals define YOUR success. If you enjoy this PODCAST please subscribe to iTunes or STITCHER and leave a comment and ranking. Better yet, subscribe to the monthly School of Laughs “Insider Tips” monthly email and get exclusive information delivered right to your inbox. It’s fast, free, useful, and fun. Email: SchoolOfLaughs@gmail.com and put “insider tip sheet” in the subject header. I’ll make sure you get the official tip sheet and I promise to keep your email anonymous and spam-free. Thanks! Rik

8/1/21 • 49:03

oday we are joined by Thor Ramsey. Thor is the force behind the movie Church People. The film takes us inside a megachurch whose pastor is caught up in gimmicks more than the gospel. Thor’s character, Guy Sides, is a rising youth pastor who is trying to get things back to being focused on the gospel. But, his agent and his pastor are going the other direction. The film features a great cast. Erin Cahill does a great job as the pastor's apprehensive daughter and potential love interest for Guy. Michael Monks as Skip Finney embodies the aloof, self-consumed pastor we’ve all come to be too familiar with these days. And great supporting actors abound in the likes of Joey Fatone as Tino, the worship leader who never met a phrase he didn’t want to sing. Stephen Baldwin as Chad Case, a quirky, ever-present voice of reason. And Donald Faison as Jonathan, an agent who is always chewing the money. Also appearing are William Baldwin, Chyna Phillips, and My Pillow’s Mike Lindell. SEPTEMBER 3rd Available on DIGITAL and DVD Learn more at: https://churchpeoplefilm.com https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3717822/fullcredits/ Thor’s Website: www.ThorRamsey.com Thor’s Books: A Comedian's Guide to Theology Broke The Most Encouraging Book on Hell Ever (C) (P) 2021 School of Laughs Podcast www.SchoolofLaughs.com

7/15/21 • 50:41

CRISP AND CLEAN COMEDY COMPETITION Welcome to the competition results episode. This showcase of clean comedy was open to all comedians. The clips ranged from stand-up, musical comedy to comedy without an audience delivered straight to the microphone. All clips submitted, as long as they were clean and clearly understandable, made it into the episode. The 3 overall favorite submissions are included in this episode. And, the top 3 will receive: A one-hour roundtable coaching call with Rik and the other winners, A free SILVER Edition Comedy Writing Course, And a free one-year subscription to Club 52. Club 52 features a weekly email with comedy challenges as well as a quarterly Zoom hangout Thanks to all of these fine folks for their submissions: “Chicken Hormones” Sheila Day | Nashville, TN “Fat Baby” Dustin Crider | Atlanta, GA “Billy Bod” Patrick Miller | Oakland, California “Instagram” Damien Challen | Newcastle Australia “Losing My Mind” Theodore Schmelke | Mineola NY “Divorces vs Widows” Shell from Fort | Worth TX “Begging for Attention” J.B. Bowman | Nashville, TN “Random Thoughts with Gary Busey” Brian Kohatsu | Glendale, AZ “More than A Hobby” Mark Johns | Austin, Texas “Not Hip or Cool” Dan Bublitz Jr | St. Paul, MN “String Theory II” Rick Reichman | Nashville, TN “Messy House” Suzanne Linfante | Laurence Harbor, NJ “This Guy’s Roof” Dave Pileggi | Atlanta, GA “Leave Early Dad” Trent Babb | Fresno, California “Teddy Bear” Matthew Clark Wyatt “The Holy Cow” Bryan Nye | Lebanon, TN “Unemployed Husband” Carmiya | Washington, D.C. “Personal Training is Bullying” Uncle Nath | Newcastle Australia “Solitary Swing Dancing” Wes Sholtes | Washington, DC “Looking for the Wrong Women” Patrick Andonie | New Orleans, LA “Zoom Calls” Tim Ketchersid | Dallas, TX “The Tornado” Craig Slezak | Altamonte Springs, FL “Tiger King” Sean Hughes | Nashville, TN (C)(P) 2021 School of Laughs Podcast www.SchoolOfLAughs.com

7/2/21 • 11:21

Welcome to the competition episode. This showcase of clean comedy was open to all comedians. Whether you are brand new, full-time, or fooling yourself. The clips range from stand-up, musical comedy to comedy without an audience delivered straight to the microphone. All clips submitted, as long as they were clean and clearly understandable, made it into the episode. The clips are sixty seconds or less. After listening to the episode, you can participate in the voting! VOTING: Voting happens in three phases: The Crisp and Clean Comedy Competition episode will be posted on the School of Laughs YouTube channel and you can encourage your friends to listen and leave a comment on your behalf. Every comment stating your name or bit name will go towards your overall tally. This will account for 1/3 of your total vote. Each clip will be judged on a scale of 1-10 by at least three judges. Their vote will weigh 1/3 as well. And the final 1/3 of the score will be done by the other listeners of the show. I’ll encourage our listeners to vote for their favorite clip from the episode by choosing an entry from the list below and emailing the name of the joke or the performer in the subject line to SchoolOfLaughs@gmail.com . The 3 overall favorite submissions will get a replay on an upcoming episode. If possible, a brief interview with the comic behind the joke will be part of the show. VOTING ENDS July 1st. Results to appear on the July 15th episode of the podcast. PRIZES: Also, the top 3 will receive: A one-hour roundtable coaching call with Rik and the other winners, A free SILVER Edition Comedy Writing Course, And a free one-year subscription to Club 52. Club 52 features a weekly email with comedy challenges as well as a quarterly Zoom hangout All of these details are on the SchoofLlaughs.com show notes page for this episode. Submissions: “Chicken Hormones” Sheila Day | Nashville, TN “Fat Baby” Dustin Crider | Atlanta, GA “Billy Bod” Patrick Miller | Oakland, California “Instagram” Damien Challen | Newcastle Australia “Losing My Mind” Theodore Schmelke | Mineola NY “Divorces vs Widows” Shell from Fort | Worth TX “Begging for Attention” J.B. Bowman | Nashville, TN “Random Thoughts with Gary Busey” Brian Kohatsu | Glendale, Arizona “More than A Hobby” Mark Johns | Austin, Texas “Not Hip or Cool” Dan Bublitz Jr | St. Paul, MN “String Theory II” Rick Reichman | Nashville, TN “Messy House” Suzanne Linfante | Laurence Harbor, NJ “This Guy’s Roof” Dave Pileggi | Atlanta, GA “Leave Early Dad” Trent Babb | Fresno, California “Teddy Bear” Matthew Clark Wyatt “The Holy Cow” Bryan Nye | Lebanon, TN “Unemployed Husband” Carmiya | Washington, D.C. “Personal Training is Bullying” Uncle Nath | Newcastle Australia “Solitary Swing Dancing” Wes Sholtes | Washington, DC “Looking for the Wrong Women” Patrick Andonie | New Orleans, LA "Zoom Calls" Tim Ketchersid | Dallas, TX "The Tornado" Craig Slezak | Altamonte Springs, FL "Tiger King" Sean Hughes | Nashville, TN Vote for your favorite clip from the episode by choosing an entry from the list above! E-mail the name of the joke or the performer in the subject line to SchoolOfLaughs@gmail.com . (c)(p) www.SchoolOfLaughs.com 2021

6/15/21 • 28:32

In this episode, I will discuss the re-emergence of stand-up comedy. Battling shuttered clubs, empty showrooms, dry-docked cruise ships, and other venues it has been a tough year for comedians. I discuss a variety of things, including: Vaccination rates in the USA and how that affects audiences How some states are using Lotteries to entice vaccinations Which states are still seeing an increase in COIVD cases The effect on cruise ship comedians How corporate events have "sort of" bounced back My experiences with church events during the pandemic What is what like attending a live comedy show at a club Things I noticed flying to a show in New Orleans after 63 weeks away from the airport The situation with Rental Car companies and why you should be ready to pay more Why it may take a while to get an UBER or LYFT Trends in bookings, reschedulings, and cancellations and a little bit more : ) Again, I would LOVE to hear how things are where you live. Send an email to SchoolofLaughs@gmail.com and let me know your situation and perspective. (c)(p) www.SchoolOfLaughs.com

5/31/21 • 30:03

“Cancel Culture” is a term that has become more prevalent. In the world of comedy, it’s one step further down the path of political correctness. Today we talk about what it is, how it affects comedy, and what comedians can do to neutralize its invasion of our art form. Webster defines cancel culture as “a way of behaving in society or group, especially on social media, in which it is common to completely reject and stop supporting someone because they have said or done something that offends you.” But here’s here is the thing. Stand-up comedy specifically is your opinion, your thought, and your attempt to make somebody laugh. That’s what standup comedy is. It’s your opinion, your thought, your attempt to make somebody laugh. And that is important. It should be about trying to get people to laugh. Standup comedy is an art form with its primary focus on generating laughs, but it has evolved over time into an art form that can also be used to address social issues, advance one’s agenda, or potentially lead others to change their thought or alter their beliefs. And then evolution is the tricky part because that’s what is rubbing up against the edges of cancer culture because now you’re taking your belief system and challenging someone else’s or challenging someone else’s with yours, and you start taking a stance against things. That tension can lead to some friction, some push back. We tackle this evolutionary overlap in today’s episode. COUNTERING CANCEL CULTURE Specifically, we talk about: The definition of comedy and cancel culture What causes people to be offended How comedians leave themselves vulnerable to it What comics can do to prevent attacks The reason you need to know your target in a joke Different types of targets “The Planet is Fine” routine by George Carlin How to back up your opinions like George Carlin What I think about Ruth’s Chris Steak House Why you should work on your craft What Jon Stewart thinks about Thanksgiving How assumption and cancel culture go hand in hand And a whole lot more! (c)(p) 2021 The Rik Roberts School of Laughs www.SchoolOfLaughs.com

5/15/21 • 35:29

Crisp and Clean Comedy Competition Guidelines This showcase of clean comedy is open to all comedians. Whether you are brand new, full-time, or fooling yourself. Here’s how it will work. The clip can be stand-up, sketch, musical comedy - as long as it is clean and clearly understandable. Send your TV CLEAN audio clip, 60 seconds or less to SchoolofLaughs@gmail.com before May 21st. In your email make sure you put: Your name, The name of the joke, Where you are based, How long you have performed comedy. I’ll do a quick listen for clarity and audio quality. All clean clips, with good laughs and quality audio, will appear together in an upcoming episode of the podcast. So, it's important I have your name and joke name to introduce the comedy clip. Voting happens in three phases. The Crisp and Clean Comedy Competition episode will be posted on the School of Laughs YouTube channel and you can encourage your friends to listen and leave a comment on your behalf. Every comment will go towards your overall tally. This will account for 1/3 of your total vote. Each clip will be judged on a scale of 1-10 by at least three judges. Their vote will weigh 1/3 as well. And the final 1/3 of the score will be done by the other listeners of the show. I’ll encourage our listeners to vote for their favorite clip from the episode by visiting the School Of Laughs website and clicking their vote in a form. The 3 overall favorite submissions will get a replay on an upcoming episode as well as a brief interview with the comic behind the joke. Also, the top 3 will receive: A one-hour roundtable coaching call with Rik and the other winners, A free Silver Edition Comedy Writing Course, And a free one-year subscription to Club 52. Club 52 features a weekly email with comedy challenges as well as a quarterly Zoom hangout. So, when you have your Crisp and Clean Comedy Competition clip ready: send it to SchoolOfLaughs@gmail.com . In the subject line put “Crisp and Clean Comedy Clip”. Make sure the clip is under 60 seconds And in a wave or mp3 file. (I cannot rip audio from your YouTube clip or do the editing for you.) All entrants will be notified prior to the initial episode that they have made the “cut”. I guarantee I will listen to all the clips but cannot guarantee that they will all make the cut. So, do your best to make it funny, clean, and under a minute. All of these details are on the SchooOflaughs.com show notes page for this episode. Good luck and I can’t wait to hear from you.  

5/1/21 • 10:29

Have you ever wondered what it takes to produce a movie, write a jingle, or land Bob Dylan's manager? Well, today you are in luck! I have a pod-swap interview with Rick Altizer. Not only is Rick an incredibly good friend, but we also share an office! Over the years I've learned a lot about his character, his dedication to his work, and his incredible focus. I thought you would find his story interesting and inspirational.  Join me as I sit down and talk with Rick Altizer about what he has learned from his years in show business. Specifically, we talk about his run as a film director of such movies as Russ Taff - I Still Believe, and three projects with Chonda Pierce - "Enough", "Laughing In The Dark" and "Unashamed". Currently, Rick is working on a movie for the Kendrick Brothers (War Room, Courageous, Fire Proof) titled "Show Me the Father".   In the discussion, we talk about the gravity of story in films that can also be applied to your stand-up. We also dig into the nuts and bolts of organizing hours of material into a tangible product. Film Maker Rick Altizer Show Notes: Rick's early years as a rock-n-roller How Bob Dylan's manager took him on Why he didn't get a deal with Sony The healthy lesson of finding your identity Finding a business partner to complement his creativity His work with Chonda Pierce How a plan for a 5-minute demo turned into a documentary Learning how to edit a movie The burden of expectation Looking at disappointments objectively And a whole lot more! THANKS TO OUR PATREON SPONSOR: Thanks to John Smith for being our Patreon sponsor for this episode. You can learn more about supporting the podcast by visiting THIS LINK. More with Rick Altizer: And if you like this episode, you may want to check out Rick's previous visit to the podcast on Episode 119  Stand-Up Comedy Examined. Visit his website: http://www.rickaltizer.com (c)(p) The Rik Roberts School of Laughs www.SchoolOfLaughs.com

4/15/21 • 45:36

Have you ever wondered what goes through a comedian’s mind when they tell a joke that doesn’t work? Whether you’re an aspiring comedian or a hardcore comedy nerd, The Art of Bombing Podcast has something for everyone. From useful comedy insight to entertaining stories of bombing and failure told by the comedians that lived through them.   Join Rik Roberts as he sits down and talks with comedian Dan Bublitz Jr about what he has learned from his interviews. After talking with comedians of all levels from across the country he has some great insights. Show Notes: Different comedy communities from South Dakota to St. Paul, MN What it's like being new to a comedy scene even though you aren't new to comedy Moving to the Midwest to be closer to road work Rick Bronson's House of Comedy https://moa.houseofcomedy.net Acme Comedy Company http://www.acmecomedycompany.com The Joke Joint Working out material at other rooms before the comedy club open mic Approaching political comedy topics as a neutral POV Christopher Titus And a whole lot more! THANKS TO OUR PATREON SPONSOR: Thanks to Josh Liston for being our Patreon sponsor for this episode. You can learn more about supporting the podcast by visiting THIS LINK. More about Dan Bublitz: And if you like this episode, you may want to check out Dan's "The Art of Bombing Podcast" which takes an in-depth look at bombing on stages around the world to turn failure into success, perhaps, with a laugh or two along the way. Check out this episode with Alonzo Boden: https://theartofbombing.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=alonzo+ Or this one with Andrew Deans: https://theartofbombing.libsyn.com/the-art-of-bombing-episode-50-andrew-deans Maybe listen to my first episode with Dan: https://theartofbombing.libsyn.com/the-art-of-bombing-episode-59-rik-roberts The Art of Bombing Podcast was created in 2017 by Dan Bublitz Jr. after he bombed so badly at a private gig that he almost quit comedy. Instead of quitting he decided to talk about failure with other performers to see how they use their failure to succeed.  (C)(P) 2021 Rik Roberts School of Laughs

4/1/21 • 33:16

This is the follow-up podcast to episode 235 where I shared my process of preparing for my last recording. You can listen to that podcast HERE. In this episode, I review the live recording. Offering up insights into my thinking for choosing certain jokes, we talk about what went well and what could have been different.  We start off by listening to the set. If you prefer, you can watch the set to see the facial expressions, etc., at this link: https://vimeo.com/518305058 We cover a lot in this episode, including: Leading up to show My "purpose" for the set The jokes I chose to set up my P.O.V. (Point of View) Having to abandon a call back because of a change in a set order Using the process of conditional logic to create material Using a technique that enables me to "pick on" someone Examples of rhymes, alliteration, and visual images Being extremely current Experimenting the day of the recording And much more. You may have a different process for getting ready. Feel free to comment below and help others. This is the first of two parts of the podcast. Episode 236 will include the recording of the set and my reactions to it. You can listen to it by clicking here. Thanks to Kevin Hardy for being our Patreon sponsor for this episode. You can learn more about supporting the podcast by visiting THIS LINK. (C) (P) 2021 Rik Roberts School of Laughs www.RikRoberts.com

3/15/21 • 21:26

Preparing for a live comedy recording involves choosing your jokes, timing out the set, editing, making segues, practicing it live, and more. Today I share the process I went through for my last recording. Things were a little different this time due to COVID-19. But the overall approach is still similar to the way I have done it in the past. We cover a lot in this episode, including: Leading up to show Determining the audience Understanding language and content guidelines Defining the set length Thinking about your PURPOSE behind the set Thinking about how you will RE-PURPOSE the set Choosing your jokes Establishing your P.O.V. (Point of View) Tips on timing out your routine Practicing your set Rewriting Editing Having a few extra short jokes in your back pocket Day of Show Getting mentally ready through rest and planned distraction Giving yourself a margin for arriving on time Stage clothes Producers, makeup, and releases Getting wired up Hydrating Eye on the camera or the audience? Oh yeah, having fun! You may have a different process for getting ready. Feel free to comment below and help others. This is the first of two parts of the podcast. Episode 236 will include the recording of the set and my reactions to it. (c)(p) 2021 School of Laughs www.SchoolOfLaughs.com

3/1/21 • 38:57

Over the past few weeks, I've received a handful of questions from listeners. I thought I would share the answers with everyone. The questions are ... Do you think comedy will return to the way it was before the virus? What books do you recommend to comedians? What are some crowd work tips? When do you make money in comedy? LISTEN NOW: Thanks to Bill Conger for sponsoring today's podcast through PATREON. (c) (p) www.SchoolOfLaughs.com

2/15/21 • 22:30

Today I am happy to introduce you to my friend Dan Rupple.  As a respected comedy writer, producer, and speaker, Dan has been featured on NBC Nightly News, CNN, FOX News, The Washington Post, The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Dallas Morning News, Radio America, and more.  Show Notes How did he get started in comedy? What is Isaac Air Freight? His spiritual quest as a young man Working with Bob Barker and The Price is Right Supervising Producer duties on David Letterman How to buy a carload of tacos Why David Letterman won't hug you Keys to being a great interviewer Getting a private comedy show from Carol Burnett How he became CEO of Master Media International His web series and podcast Life Off-Screen and a whole lot more! Thanks to Chelle Baxter for sponsoring today's podcast through PATREON.

2/1/21 • 66:36

Facebook Pixels and YouTube Shorts Today I learn about Facebook pixels and Youtube Shorts with Zack Lyman. Zack is a funny comic out of Phoenix. When not on stage, he consults on marketing projects for companies and individuals. We tap into that expertise today to find out how we should be using Facebook Pixels in conjunction with ads to drive traffic and actions on our website. There are a lot of things to learn. But don't worry, Zack explains it in a very tangible way. In fact, you can download his free e-book on his system for running ads in conjunction with Facebook Pixels. https://www.marketingbeaver.com/ebook/ I also wanted to pick his brain on YouTube Shorts. This new Youtube option is still in beta testing mode. In short, it's YouTube's way of supporting vertical phone videos. TikTok and Instagram Stories are very popular. Now Youtube is playing catch up to find a way to include these types of videos on their platform. We talk about the benefits for a comedian to use YouTube Shorts as a way to increase visibility and subscribers. This episode is brought to you by Patreon sponsor Ray Price! If you would like to help support the podcast visit www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon Show Notes: Zack's days in Louisville, KY How Facebook pixels help you understand your audience The benefits of retargeting someone who clicks your ad Empty carts and how to increase conversions The natural factor of distraction with Facebook Where to start with Facebook ads The types of ad goals and how to maximize their potential Calls to action What is Youtube Short? The benefit of YouTube Shorts over Instagram and TikTok Being smart about your descriptions and keywords Why YouTube Shorts are worth some focus (C)(P) School Of Laughs www.SchoolOfLaughs.com

1/15/21 • 45:37

Today we review the year that was, the year ahead, and what we are trying to accomplish moving forward. Yes, it's the annual goals tracker episode! If you aren't a member of the Insider Tip Sheet Newsletter, you'll want to shoot an email to schooloflaughs@gmail.com and request to be added. This episode comes with a .pdf that is only available to Club 52 and Insider Tip sheet members. We'll cover how to set attainable goals in bite-sized pieces. Specifically, we get into goals about: Writing comedy Writing with others Performing on stage Performing Virtual Creating Virtual Solutions Updating Websites E-mail Newsletter Lists Networking Ideas Cultivating your Social Media following and much, much, more! This goals tracker worksheet is one of my go-to for really understanding if I made any progress in the previous year or not. It also helps me pinpoint what I can do better and where I should spend my time. It will do the same for you.

1/1/21 • 35:06

Today I answer questions about comedy as I am interviewed by Josh Liston, host of Tips of the Slung and Punching Sideways podcasts. Josh is an avid listener of the School of Laughs podcast and noticed I left a few topics uncovered. He noted that occasionally I will say, "one day I should do a whole episode on that topic". But ... sometimes I never do. So, he made some notes and asks me to resolve those unanswered questions. If Josh's voice sounds familiar, he was featured on Episode 216 "How Coivd Affects Comedy Across the Globe". In that show, I talked with folks in seven countries to find out what the lockdowns had done to their comedy scene. So what questions about comedy do I finally answer? What is the difference between skill and passion?  What goes into a comedy rider? What is the difference between sarcasm and comedy?  How do you identify your weaknesses as a comedian? What groups like Toast Masters are there available to people who want to get extra stage time or story-telling experience?  What do you do when you have a joke that isn't like the rest of the act?

12/15/20 • 32:10

Virtual gigs, drive-ins, outdoor parking lots ... is this what it has come down to? I discuss the options for comedians with former students Brain Bates and Jonnie W. If 2020 has taught us anything it is this: "adapt or die." There just aren't as many inside gigs as usual. If you want to earn some money you have to get outside your comfort zone. To keep your comedy chops sharp that may include some unconventional settings. This year Brian opened for Nate Bargatze at drive-in theaters. Johnnie W. did a few outdoor shows. I am doing more and more virtual gigs. It's not going to be the same as a packed comedy club. That's okay. Those aren't happening right now. So we share what is working and what isn't in this mid-pandemic climate. DRIVE-INS, PARKING LOTS AND VIRTUAL GIGS SHOW NOTES In this episode, we discuss: The challenges of performing at Drive-Ins Gigantic trains How timing is affected at a Drive-In Show Comedy IS confidence Sharing a tour bus during COVID Recording a Netflix Special in a pandemic Crowds that go "tight" Vaccines Brians "Quarantine Video" Video Johnnie W. and the cabbie from Bangladesh Creative Virtual Gigs Comics who reinvented themselves lockdown Using free time for getting healthier Staying faithful to God And much, much, more!

12/1/20 • 43:08

This episode is all about YOU!   That’s right. It’s time to pause and recalibrate. The podcast is going on its 7th year in 2021 and I want to make sure it still serves a purpose for you. It started out as a weekly comedy class-style show. Then evolved into an interview format. Where do we go from here?   It’s up to you.    Let me know how I can serve you the best. Is it with micro lessons? Is it with behind scenes look at joke writing? Some kind of combination? I'm all ears. Except for my big mouth.    ALSO …   What are YOU thankful for during the pandemic? Have you had time to accomplish some major undertakings that you couldn’t have done with a full schedule? Did you create something cool? Write a book? Finish a video series? Let me know. I want to share it with our listeners.   What do YOU not miss about the old ways of doing stand-up comedy? For me, it’s the airport. I don’t miss shuffling around the Hudson News Bookstore trying to kill a 3 hr layover in Denver.    And, what can YOU hardly wait to do again when this thing is under control? What was your favorite part of business as usual? I miss seeing my friends do shows. I love watching buddies crush it onstage as much as I like watching them experiment with new material and take chances. I have held off from going to clubs out of a responsibility to my family. But I look forward to doing it again next year. What can’t YOU wait to do again?   Send your thoughts to me at schooloflaughs@gmail.com. I will share them in the next episode.    Thanks for listening, Rik  

11/16/20 • 14:17

In this episode, I get to catch up with a former student, June Colson. I met June in 2017 at the Christian Comedy Association annual conference. She was eager to learn comedy but still wasn’t sure if she was in the right place. After meeting some fellow comedians with similar interests she decided to give it a go. Lucky for us. If she hadn’t, we wouldn’t know about all the crazy characters in her life. June crafts great stories featuring her family members – especially “Hot Dog”. June was born in Indiana and now resides in Bowling Green, Kentucky. In 2020, she took first place in the Nashville Clean Comedy Challenge. The annual competition put together by Leslie Norris Townsend   Her faith in Christ has a huge influence on the cleanliness of her performance and her calling into Christian Comedy. In this episode, we discuss or CLICK HERE JUNE COLSON SHOW NOTES Today we talk about a variety of things, specifically: How we first met Her participation in my comedy classes The influence of good comedy friends The Clean Comedy Challenge What to do when your real life is almost unbelievable The support from her husband The Write Ten club with Joel Byars   And much, much, more!   Learn more about June Colson at: https://www.junecolson.com https://www.facebook.com/june.colson   (C) (P) RIK ROBERTS SCHOOL OF LAUGHS WWW.SCHOOLOFLAUGHS.COM

11/1/20 • 29:55

In this episode, I get to discuss the history of The Onion with founding member Scott Dikkers. Dikkers helped found the original Onion newspaper. He’s served as The Onion’s owner and editor-in-chief, on and off, for much of the last quarter-century. In 1996 Scott founded the website, TheOnion.com . In the mid-2000s, Scott headed up the creation of "The Onion News Network" web series, serving as a director and executive producer. The series gave rise to many viral videos and a TV series on IFC. The web shorts won a Peabody Award in 2008. Scott led The Onion’s rise from a small, unknown college humor publication to an internationally respected comedy brand. He gathered a talented team of writers and editors over the years, working with them to develop The Onion’s culture of creative freedom and brutal honesty, its distinct comic voice, and its reliable process for generating award-winning satire, day after day. In this episode, we discuss the evolution of the Onion and quite a bit more. Today we talk about a variety of ideas, specifically: Early funny TV that caught his eye Digging Dr. Seuss Difference between MAD and Cracked magazine An interesting way that Steve Martin's book Cruel Shoes affected him Conner O'Malley and his unique approach to comedy New publications like the Babylon Bee Niching down into satire and parody How a lawyer went from trying to sue the Onion, to becoming a lawyer for the Onion Hiring people to do the things you don't like to do A typical publication week at the ONION Advice on direction from Baratunde Thurston  How Drupal editing almost killed creativity The Onion news segment on Dana Carvey Show hosted by Stephen Colbert The many "almost breakthroughs" while scaling The Onion's reach How a beginner can approach comedy My story about milk and Emo Phillips And much, much, more! Notable Quotes: "Nothing inspires me more than when I see something that's not good." "One of the highest compliments we can pay to a bit, or a joke or whatever is, oh, that's so stupid." On hiring new writers: "Early on, I would take anybody, anybody who came in and showed some eagerness to do it like that was the commodity. The commodity wasn't the writing talent. The commodity is “who's willing to step forward and say, I will try it, I will do it?” On people wanting to write for The Onion "I don't understand why all these people submitting to The Onion don't just start their own publication." On getting started in comedy writing: "It's such a slow, gradual process of starting to do something new and learning a new skill which writing comedy is. It can be tricky for people to get started and see any progress because most people are terrible at it when they start any new skill and comedy writing is no different." "if you don't love it, you'll never succeed at it because you need that love to propel you through those early years when you're stuck." Where can I find info on Scott Dikkers and his comedy classes? www.HowtoWriteFunny.com www.ScottDikkers.com (C) (P) 2020 THIS PODCAST IS A PRODUCTION OF THE RIK ROBERTS SCHOOL OF LAUGHS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

10/15/20 • 40:03