"Top Ten" Lists-An Exercise in Creativity???

[MJEH]

Is it illegal for "noobies" to start new threads??

I was wondering if anyone feels the way I do about using Top 10 lists
to help writing "bits". Maybe it seems like you're beating a dead horse by
using the "situation" to base a few lines on, but I feel it helps me to
"think outside the box", so to speak. So begin the verbal and/or physical
attacks if you must. I'll sit down and wait for my abuse. Thanks.

[Alex Mac]

To be honest, I am not sure that I follow what you mean by a top ten list when it comes to writing a bit.

Does anyone do this? Wouldn't it be more prudent to just write freely and edit what can and can't be used?

[Manboobs Crackerbag]

I'm with Alex, I'm not sure what you mean about a Top Ten List. However, there are a million different ways to approach writing anything, including "bits." If the list thing works for you, do it, for now, but definitely explore different avenues. You will be surprised how doing several techniques will help you develop bigger and better ideas. What I'm saying is, don't limit yourself to just one thing.

Also, don't immediately put yourself down in your first post. That's what the rest of the board is for, a-hole! (Joking, obviously.)

[Cameron]

I'm assuming he's talking about Letterman style Top Tens.

I know Eugene Mirman does them occasionally, and they work great for him, but I definitely don't think the are for everybody. I think with most people it would just come across as hacky.

[punchdrunkblake]

I see this to be more about the multiple punchlines on any given topic type approach. I could very well be wrong but something like Patton's Robert Evans bit would be an example. See also; Facts About Midgets.

[ragu sauce]

good luck "with" this "thread".

[st.raw]

bottom 10

[MJEH]

Ummm...I guess I didn't properly compose my query. I wasn't suggesting doing a Top Ten as a bit ala Letterman. I meant, to use the format to just create material, then
seeing what works and what doesn't, that's all.

To Whom It May Concern: The names asshole and prick do not offend me at all. I've
been called these names so many times, you'd think they were on my birth certificate.

[TimBuktu]

Could you do a top ten list of numbers?

I'll start with number two, on this thread.

Just kidding, I didn't read it.*






*rude.

[KeithTalent]

You've been called those names so many times:

1. You'd think they were on your birth certificate.
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[TimBuktu]

You've been called those names so many times:

1. You'd think they were on your birth certificate.
2. You'd think your name was beef queef.
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[Alex Mac]

Ummm...I guess I didn't properly compose my query. I wasn't suggesting doing a Top Ten as a bit ala Letterman. I meant, to use the format to just create material, then
seeing what works and what doesn't, that's all.

I don't think that is conducive to the entire process. Perhaps for an easy reference thing but overall I don't see the point in setting too much of a format to your writings. If part of the point of comedy is to be as fluid as you can be onstage, I would think that you would want to keep it that way in all facets of your process. Take a concept and squeeze all the juice out of it with your bare hands. Don't put it on some preset assembly line.

To Whom It May Concern: The names asshole and prick do not offend me at all. I've
been called these names so many times, you'd think they were on my birth certificate.

It concerns no one. Do you want to have people berate you? Doing comedy is masochistic enough, friend. You can have people help you and offer suggestions or you can have people leave you out to dry and have them call you the names you seem to want to be called so bad.

[Barmy Man]

He's not talking about restricting his form to technique, but rather using the technique as a springboard to get ideas flowing to begin with. A lot of writers do this, and it's actually a decent way to wrap your mind around strong premise development.

[KeithTalent]

3. You've begun preemptively disparaging yourself upon encountering new people!

[MJEH]

To Alex Mac: Thanks for the advice! It's appreciated. And as far as Part Two goes-
Lighten up!! I was joking.

To Barmy Man: Wow! This is what I was thinking as well. A good way to develop a skill. Gracias.

Ok, well here is an example of...an exercise in creativity.

Little boy in the UK, Alfie Patten, who is a dad at 13!! What happened?? Doesn't "Sesame Street" teach abstinence???

TOP 10 THINGS OVERHEARD AT THE HOUSE OF THE 13 YEAR-OLD FATHER aka- "BABY-DADDY"!!!

10. How convenient for the mother. She'll be able to shop for the father AND the child in the same section of the store.

9. Was Sarah Palin his counselor at school?

8. See what having too many root beers will do?

7. If they get married, will they be registered at Toys R Us?

6. After the wedding, will the reception be held at Chuck E. Cheese?

5. Well, the baby can always ride on the handle bars of his bike!

4. See, this is why they should make cartoon sex education films.

3. I heard his favorite new game is Nintendo Wii Fatherhood Fantasy.

2. Does this mean he'll have to get a SECOND paper route now?

And, the number one thing overheard at Alfie's house...

The real reason it happened is because they still don't make Flintstones condoms!!!

Etc., etc., etc.

[Alex Mac]

I follow the basic idea of what he intends to do. I just disagree that it is a good way to go about things. Even to simply come up with concepts. For some reason (and maybe it is just for my own approach to writing, since no one style is more "correct" than the other) I think it is more effective to simply write. Take a general topic and just write what you think.

To each his own though...

[MJEH]

***TOP TEN SIGNS YOUR VALENTINE'S DAY IS NOT WHAT YOU WERE EXPECTING!!!***


10. He brings his mom on your date to pay the check.

9. Your significant other gives you General Motors stock certificates for a gift.

8. You discover he's the president of the local Jonas Brothers Fan Club.

7. His idea of a good night is sitting home and watching "Rock of Love".

6. He greets you at the door with his resume in his hand.

5. At the restaurant, your date pays the band to play, "Hit the Road Jack".

4. You just found out he has become Facebook friends with Chris Brown.

3. Every piece of candy you bite into has peanut butter in it.

2. E-harmony just hooked you up with Amy Winehouse.

And the number one sign you're having a bad Valentine's Day...

Your significant other gave you a Valentine's Day card written by Christian Bale!!!

[Jono11]

So...like on Letterman?

[Jono11]

You've been called those names so many times:

1. You'd think they were on your birth certificate.
2. You'd think your name was beef queef.
3. You've begun preemptively disparaging yourself upon encountering new people!
4. Your soul has begun the slow, inexorable process of dissolution, so burdened as it is by the weight of the torments of others, and each night when you put the kids to bed, tell the wife you'll be along in a moment, and put the last few dishes in the dishwasher, you chaotically contemplate the torment of existence, weighed against the horror of nonbeing. And you take the gun out of your mouth slowly, pathetically resigned to yet another day of meaningless but somehow indispensable living.
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Let's keep it going.

[Having Fun!]

Your significant other gave you a Valentine's Day card written by Christian Bale!!!

too soon