Revisit the funny lines

I recently saw Rita Rudner’s one-woman show in Las Vegas. It’s always great to study a top pro. She drove home the power of the “call-back” (a reference to something funny which was previously presented during the routine). Her call-backs were some of the funniest lines of her hilarious 75-minute performance.

Let me give you one example: She commented on the health risks of sunbathing. And she pointed out how cute, young 18-year-old women will lay out in the sun and get great sun tans. She just looks at them and thinks to herself, “Fry…you homewreckers!” Then, later in her act, she said that she had hired a masseuse to come to the house and give her husband a massage. The doorbell rings and she answers the door to meet a gorgeous 18-year-old masseuse. “Hi I’m here to give your husband a massage.” “I’m sorry, he’s dead. (pause) Why don’t you go get some sun.” My recollection and paraphrasing of the lines don’t do justice to her writing and delivery talent. But I hope you get a feel for the impact of bringing back a former funny line. Catch her act if you can. She has a long-term contract at New York New York Hotel Casino, in Las Vegas, or catch her on video or on a cable TV special. It will be a study well worth your time.

The power of the call-back is also woven into a good improv comedy scene. It’s called reincorporation. Take something from earlier in the scene and revisit it later. In our March improv show in Las Vegas one of the audience suggestions for a fireman’s snack was “squid”. The word squid came up two more times in the evening, reincorporation, and got a good laugh each time.

A good speech can often be made better by the active listening skills of the speaker. Before you rise to speak, pay attention to everything taking place before you are introduced: Awards, funny lines, other speeches, the decorations, etc. Look for opportunities to incorporate (revisit) your observations within the text of your talk. I normally open my talks with three or four pieces of observational humor before I go into the main body of my prepared remarks.

The power of reincorporation and call backs is amazing. Focus, tune in, and have the courage to give it a try. You’ll like the results.