How to Write a Comedy Special

How to Write a Comedy Special That Kills on Stage and Screen

Writing a comedy special is vastly different from crafting jokes for clubs or TV. It requires a cohesive narrative, strategic pacing, and material that plays equally well to a live audience and camera close-ups. Here's how the pros do it.

The Anatomy of a Killer Comedy Special

1. The Thematic Throughline

The best specials aren't just joke collections - they're stories with emotional arcs. Consider:

• Ali Wong's "Baby Cobra": A manifesto on feminism and pregnancy
• Dave Chappelle's "The Closer": A meditation on cancel culture
• John Mulaney's "New in Town": The journey of a neurotic outsider

Your Homework: Identify the central theme that connects your best material.

2. The Setlist Strategy

Professional comics structure specials like album tracks:

1. Opener (5-7 min): High-energy crowd pleaser that establishes your persona
2. Breather (10 min): Slightly slower, more personal material
3. Heavy Hitter (15 min): Your most original, talked-about bit
4. Closer (5-10 min): Emotional payoff that leaves them thinking

Pro Tip: Record your live sets and note which jokes get the biggest reactions at different points.

Stagecraft Matters as Much as Jokes

Camera-Ready Comedy

What works in clubs often falls flat on screen:

• Physicality: Netflix's 4K cameras catch every micro-expression
• Pauses: Allow time for at-home viewers to process
• Eye Contact: Alternate between audience and camera for intimacy

Watch: How Hannah Gadsby uses direct camera address in "Nanette."

The Venue as Character

Your location should enhance your material:

• Small Clubs = Raw, authentic vibe (Early Louis CK specials)
• Theaters = Polished storytelling (Mike Birbiglia)
• Unusual Spaces = Memorable branding (Bo Burnham's "Inside")

From Writing to Performance

The 90% Rule

Your material isn't ready until:

• It's been tested in at least 10 different cities
• You can perform it exhausted at 1 AM
• It kills with both drunk college kids and NPR listeners

Visualizing the Edit

Write with these camera shots in mind:

• Wide Shots: For physical bits
• Close-Ups: For emotional reveals
• Cutaways: For audience reactions to controversial lines

Avoiding Common Special Killers

1. The Energy Drop (Keep transitions tight)
2. The Tech Disaster (Always have backup recordings)
3. The Netflix Note ("Can we get 7 more minutes?")
4. The Overproduced Mess (Don't let graphics overshadow jokes)

Next Steps

For a complete breakdown of writing and filming your hour, including contract tips and director red flags: Writing a Comedy Special

Final Thought: The specials we remember decades later aren't just the funniest - they're the most human. Yours should be no different.