“Steve Martin and Martin Short had some of the best comedy careers in history — they’re some of the funniest people I’ve ever met — and they’re still worried about: ‘Am I still funny? Am I still making good work?’” Jost said. “If you’re a certain kind of person, whatever field you work in, that feeling never leaves you.”
Apparently, it never leaves your mom, either. Despite decades of success in the industry, Jost joked that his mom still thinks he and his brother, who works on the television series “Impractical Jokers,” should take the civil service exam to become firefighters — “just in case,” he said.
The thought that he might have to swap a microphone for a firehose or another career passed his mind more than once or twice, Jost acknowledged, especially when he began work on “Weekend Update.”
“‘Weekend Update’, when I started, was deeply, existentially stressful,” Jost said, “I felt like I was really bad at it and failing super hard, and people noticed. Early reviews were, I’d say, ‘politely scathing.’ That was horrible, and it was for three solid years of my life. But it started turning. Eventually, I started not feeling that constant dread, and now [co-anchoring ‘Weekend Update’] is genuinely something I look forward to at the end of every week.”
As a writer on “SNL” for nearly 20 years, he is intimately familiar with rejection. Jost shared that he’s had over 1,000 pitches rejected by his writing team, legendary “SNL” creator (and his boss) Lorne Michaels and even the television network censors. Jost shared some material that ended up on the cutting-room floor during a portion of the talk that got some of the loudest laughs and hushed “ooooohs” of the night.
After reflecting on his journey through self-doubt and eventual confidence, Jost shifted the tone to something a bit more personal — and often hilarious — by fielding questions from the audience. In his responses, Jost dished out life advice, shared “SNL” memories and musings and talked about his relationship with award-winning actress and six-time “SNL” host Scarlett Johansson.
“If you have friends who are funny, your life will be happier,” Jost said. “And if you have a partner in life who’s funny, it’s going to get you through a lot of hard times.”
As Jost continues his work on “SNL” he said he’s overwhelmed by the prospect of what’s next in his career. Between writing a television pilot, running an advertising agency, writing and acting in films, writing novels and filming a stand-up comedy special, he said there are a lot of unknowns in his future — but there’s one thing he’s entirely sure about.
“I can guarantee I will certainly say the word ‘brown’ in a joke slot,” Jost said, responding to an audience question about the possibility of Brown getting a shout-out in an upcoming “Weekend Update” segment. “And when I do, you’ll all know I’m talking about Brown University.”
date: 2025-04-23 03:25:00
SNL Veteran Colin Jost’s Comedy Masterclass at Brown: Craft, Coping, and College Life
Table of Contents
- SNL Veteran Colin Jost’s Comedy Masterclass at Brown: Craft, Coping, and College Life
- Deconstructing the Art of Joke Writing: Jost’s Tips and Techniques
- Comedy as a Coping Mechanism: Finding Humor in the Face of Adversity
- SNL Insights: Behind the scenes of a Comedy Institution
- Balancing Career and Personal Life: Navigating the Demands of comedy
- The Evolving Landscape of Comedy: Adapting to New Platforms and Audiences
- Q&A session: Answering Students’ Burning Questions
Colin Jost, the Emmy-nominated head writer and Weekend Update anchor of Saturday Night Live (SNL), recently engaged in a captivating discussion with students at Brown University. Far from a typical stand-up routine, the session delved into the intricacies of comedy as a carefully honed craft, its profound impact as a coping mechanism, and the realities of pursuing a career in the competitive world of entertainment. This engaging conversation offered aspiring comedians and writers valuable insights into Jost’s journey, his creative process, and the unique challenges and rewards of life at SNL.
Deconstructing the Art of Joke Writing: Jost’s Tips and Techniques
Jost offered students a glimpse into the anatomy of a joke, emphasizing the importance of observation, specificity, and surprise. He stressed that the best jokes often stem from relatable experiences or observations twisted in unexpected ways. He cautioned against relying on tired tropes or predictable punchlines and encouraged students to find their unique comedic voice.
- observation is Key: Pay attention to the world around you. Notice the quirks, the ironies, and the absurdities of everyday life. These observations are the seeds of great jokes.
- Specificity Matters: Vague jokes rarely land. The more specific and detailed you can be, the more relatable and humorous your joke will become.
- Subvert Expectations: The element of surprise is crucial.Set up your audience to expect one thing and then deliver something completely unexpected.
- Find your Voice: Don’t try to be someone else. Authenticity shines through in comedy. Develop a unique perspective and comedic style that reflects your personality.
- Test, Test, Test: A joke is onyl as good as its delivery. Test your jokes on different audiences and refine them based on their reactions.
Case Study: Crafting a Weekend Update Joke
jost walked the students through the process of developing a Weekend Update joke, illustrating how a simple news headline can be transformed into a laugh-out-loud moment. He demonstrated the importance of multiple drafts, collaborative feedback, and the willingness to kill even your favorite jokes if they don’t quite land.
He emphasized that much of joke writing also relies on recognizing comedic structures – a skill similar to the way any other writer recognizes a certain type of grammar as crucial when writing an essay or piece of dialogue when writing fiction. His advice wasn’t meant to distill comedy into some formulaic “how to do it” instruction, but rather to acknowledge that understanding comedy (like understanding grammar) is important to comedic literacy.
Comedy as a Coping Mechanism: Finding Humor in the Face of Adversity
Beyond the technical aspects of joke writing,Jost spoke candidly about the therapeutic power of comedy. He shared how humor has helped him navigate challenging times, both personally and professionally. He emphasized that finding humor in adversity can be a powerful tool for resilience and emotional well-being.
He noted that as a writer at SNL, his job is often to filter the constant stream of news events, and find something humorous, or ridiculous, about them. This job is not only to be funny to an audience of millions every week, but to find the humor, when all you see is doom and gloom on a regular basis. For that reason, it can be considered a coping mechanism.
Firsthand Experience: Using Humor in High-Pressure Situations
Jost recounted specific instances where he used humor to defuse tense situations or to cope with the pressures of live television. He shared anecdotes about on-air mishaps, celebrity encounters, and the general chaos of working behind the scenes at SNL, highlighting the importance of maintaining a sense of humor in the face of the unexpected.
SNL Insights: Behind the scenes of a Comedy Institution
The discussion offered a rare glimpse into the inner workings of SNL. Jost described the collaborative surroundings, the intense deadlines, and the constant pressure to deliver fresh, relevant comedy week after week. He shared anecdotes about working with legendary cast members, navigating the political landscape of comedy, and the unique challenges of writing for a live audience.
He also went into detail as to the way that the show is structured around its writers. Every cast member also writes, and also performers, directors, and dozens of full time writers, who all work together on the show every week. Jost noted that a person cannot just be a comedian to work on the show, but also collaborative.
Benefits of Working at SNL
- Creative Freedom: SNL provides a platform for writers and performers to experiment with different comedic styles and push creative boundaries.
- Exposure and Recognition: Working at SNL can catapult careers and lead to opportunities in film, television, and other areas of entertainment.
- Community and Collaboration: SNL fosters a strong sense of community among its cast, writers, and crew, providing a supportive and collaborative environment.
- Impact on Culture: SNL has a long history of influencing popular culture and shaping political discourse.
Jost addressed the challenges of balancing a demanding career in comedy with personal relationships and well-being. He emphasized the importance of setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and maintaining a strong support system. He acknowledged the unique pressures of the entertainment industry and offered advice on how to maintain perspective and avoid burnout.
He noted to the students, specifically, the difficulties of breaking into comedy, and encouraged students to find the balance between working to get a big break or career, and working to simply enjoy life and comedy as a passion and hobby.
Practical Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Work-Life Balance in Comedy:
- Set Realistic Expectations: Don’t expect to become an overnight success. Building a career in comedy takes time, dedication, and perseverance.
- Prioritize Self-Care: Make time for activities that help you relax, recharge, and maintain your mental and physical health.
- Build a Support System: Surround yourself with supportive friends, family members, and mentors who understand the challenges of the industry.
- Set Boundaries: Learn to say no to commitments that will overwhelm you or compromise your well-being.
- Stay Grounded: Remember why you started doing comedy in the first place. Stay true to your passion and values.
The Evolving Landscape of Comedy: Adapting to New Platforms and Audiences
Jost discussed the changing landscape of comedy, notably the rise of digital platforms and the increasing importance of online presence. He acknowledged the challenges of reaching diverse audiences and navigating the complexities of social media. He encouraged students to experiment with different formats and platforms, and to stay adaptable to the ever-evolving world of comedy.
Table: Comedy Platforms Then and now
| Platform Era | Dominant Platform | Primary content Style | Audience Reach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Age (1950s-1970s) | Television (Variety Shows) | sketch Comedy, Stand-Up | National (US) |
| Cable Boom (1980s-1990s) | Stand-Up Comedy Specials (HBO, Showtime) | Observational, Political | National (US) |
| Internet era (2000s-2010s) | YouTube, Comedy Central, Blogs | Short-Form Videos, Parody, Web Series | Global |
| Streaming Age (2020s-Present) | Netflix, Amazon Prime, TikTok | Multi-Format, Personalized Feeds, Influencer-Driven | Global, Niche |
Q&A session: Answering Students’ Burning Questions
The session concluded with an engaging Q&A segment, where students had the chance to ask Jost about his career, his creative process, and his advice for aspiring comedians. He answered questions about everything from dealing with writer’s block to navigating the audition process, providing invaluable guidance to the next generation of comedic talent.
Many students asked about how they could get a job like Jost, or about whether or not they should move to New York or LA, to attempt comedy. Jost noted that while sometimes those choices are the correct ones, sometimes, they may not be. He encouraged them to consider their mental health, their career aspirations, and what their goals with comedy were before planning a whole life around it.