Punchlines that write themselves

Comedy writing Tip: Always be on the lookout for the absurdity that surrounds us daily. Most people don't pick up on it. Learn to see the world differently. If nothing else, you'll sure go through life having a lot more laughs. Here are some examples:
Just how nuts is the entertainment industry? Here are recent actual headlines from the HuffingtonPost. They’re not meant to be jokes but who can write stuff this good?

Madonna Tours Impoverished School In $2800 Sweatsuit

Kendra Wilkinson Starting Own Line Of Stripper Poles

"Slumdog" Kid Rubina Reportedly Paid More For TV Ad Than Oscar-Winning Film

Halle Berry Mentally Ready For Another Baby

SWEET TWEET: Jennifer Garner took Violet, 3, to the Brentwood Country Mart in L.A. Sunday.

Josh Hartnett Calls 911 For Stomach Cramps

Cash-Strapped Former TV Star Holds Garage Sale

Chris Brown, Rihanna No-Show At Kids' Choice Awards

"Real Housewives" Countess Dumped -- Via Email -- By Her Count

David Hasselhoff Denies Work, Admits Botox

And then there’s this: the stupid quote of the year (so far). Spencer Grammer (Kelsey Grammer’s daughter and star of ABC Family’s GREEK, pictured above) was profiled earlier this week in USA TODAY. I quote from the article:

The writers’ strike and the cancellation of BACK TO YOU contributed to her father’s heart attack, Grammer says. “He’s got these houses and this family, and you’ve got to make money.”

I find this amusing since her dad has a stake in FRASIER, his own very successful production company, and receives acting and/or directing royalties from over 400 episodes. Has he kept this from her so she doesn't ask for a raise in her allowance? Is she so into Twitter and Facebook that she never bothered to learn what her father does for a living? Does she somehow think he's got 40 houses? It's a pretty idiotic statement. Keep an eye out for them. They're everywhere. To write funny you have to "think" funny. And a great way of training yourself to do that is to really pay attention to the goofiness that's all around you.

There's a lot of low hanging comedy fruit out there. You just have to pick it.