Welcome to The Comedy Lab
The Comedy Lab features a wide variety of TV writing classes, along with improv and other performance classes for everyone from beginners to professionals. And now, students can take all classes online, from the comfort of home!
Writing Classes
Here at the Comedy Lab, we teach you both the Show and the Business. The Comedy Lab’s TV Writing classes show you how to create the kind of packet that agents like to read, and how to use that packet as a tool to attract interest from an agent. Our comprehensive program of Talk Show Packet, SNL Sketch Portfolio, Sitcom Spec Script and Pilot Presentation can be taken individually in eight-week terms.
The Comedy Lab is currently offering TV Pilot Presentation starting Saturday, March 7th. There are 8 classes meetings.
Featured Class
How to Write Two-Line Jokes and Monologues
Ever wonder how Late Night monologues are put together? How Weekend Update is written? How Jerry Seinfeld writes a joke? This four-week class has the answers you need!
It starts with two-line jokes, the building blocks of modern comedy that we’ve come to know on late-night talk shows and SNL Weekend Update. Two-Line Joke Writing and Monologues will look at the varied source material for jokes, the structure of jokes (including the significance of the Rule of Threes), the philosophy of jokes, and constructing monologues made up of two-liners.
Here’s how it breaks down:
Week One: Topical Two-Liners—Late Night Monologue
Week Two: How to Write a Joke in 7 Steps
Week 3: Building a Scene with Jokes
Week 4: Getting Ready for an Open Mike: Polishing Monologues
Two-Line Joke Writing and Monologues begins with writing jokes from one specific source, followed by jokes from a variety of sources. There will be a look at specific joke structures, how to write and construct a monologue from a series of jokes, and the importance of a page of two-liners for submission to agents and producers.
In addition to the mechanical and creative aspects of joke writing, this class is designed to increase the student’s confidence in pitching jokes in a writers’ room and gaining essential feedback. If you’re comedy-curious and you want to try your hand at this concise form of humor, this is the perfect entry point. If you’re a seasoned writer, this is the ideal arena to sharpen your skills and increase output.
Instructor: Kim “Howard” Johnson
Dates: Four weeks, beginning Saturday May 30 12 noon-2:45PM online
“I have taken over 10 years of comedy classes and The Comedy Lab has certainly topped every single one of them. The biggest difference? Howard of course! Howard is a teacher unlike any other; he is kind, professional and extremely helpful. The feedback he has given me and the way that the classes are structured are extremely helpful. I was able to apply to numerous late-night shows as well as SNLand have finally developed a habit of writing daily. Thank you, Howard!”
Your (hopefully) forever student, Olja Ivanic
“Wanting to write TV is a scary thing to start, but Howard gave us a simple process that let me focus on the fun and the formatting came with it. Now I have a few spec scripts and I’m starting my first original pilot. I’m so happy with where I am at and owe it all to Howard!”
Justin Borak, current student
“The Comedy Lab shifted my perspective about going into entertainment. With Michael McCarthy’s words plus Howard’s teaching, encouragement, kindness, and incredible community of students, I was given the push I needed to pursue my dream and get into the industry. Plus, I wrote some jokes.”
Eliana Waxman, former student