The surprising algorithm behind late-night comedy

I do not pretend to understand the nuances of comedy and neither do I think I am a good writer, but I thought I would give it a go with a minor passion piece sparked from a late-night conversation. If you’re interested in how punchlines are mass-produced, read on!

First, let’s look at the triggers of laughter:

1. Surprise
2. Incongruity — two things being put together in a way in which exposes a hidden similarity
3. Feeling of superiority
4. Recognition
5. Embarrassment
6. Coincident
7. Release of tension
8. Permission to misbehave

Now, when we’re looking into late-night comedy, especially that which focuses on the news and current affairs we aim to look at incongruity.

Let’s take a look at the five-step algorithm to create punchlines:

• Step 1: Have as a set-up, some new and topical news
• Step 2: Identify two subjects of the news that grabs our audience’s attention
• Step 3: Establish the link between the two subjects by free-associating things that come to mind for each subject. At this stage, those writing will make long lists of connections
• Step 4: Find two items with a logical connection that activate as many of the aforementioned laugh triggers as possible
• Step 5: Connect the two items using the old reliable ‘who, what, where, when, how, why’

If the list is long enough, an original joke will be found, free jokes for all!

Let’s take a look at an example to make sure I’m not totally wrong:

1. Disney made a Trump robot
2. Draw links between Disney and Trump
3. Jimmy Fallen used ‘Aladdin’ (Disney) and ‘Deporting foreigners’ (Trump)
4. Punchline theme: Trump deporting Aladdin
5. Triggers activated? Surprise, Recognition, Superiority (Trump trying to deport a fictional character), Permission to misbehave (making fun of authority)

Old reliable? ‘What’ did robot Trump do when introduced into Disney land? He deported Aladdin and gave Scrooge McDuck a tax break!

Thanks for reading! Let me know what you thought!