Anthony Jeselnik
A mechanism-level breakdown of 21 analyzed bits from Anthony Jeselnik (2013), spanning 1 special. Every excerpt is tagged with its primary humor mechanism using the Comedy Stack framework.
- Analyzed bits
- 21
- Specials
- 1
- Active range
- 2013
- Go-to mechanism
- incongruity-resolution
How Anthony gets laughs
Distribution across the primary humor mechanisms in the analyzed set.
21 attributed excerpts
Short quoted bits used here as editorial examples of Anthony Jeselnik’s mechanism-level craft. Each excerpt links to its full-transcript source.
“I went on a blind date once, just once, and I will never do it again. It was the biggest disaster of all time.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'I went on a blind date once, just once, and I will never do it again.', then the trigger 'It was the biggest disaster of all time.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“Have a great night. Thank you so much. -[ Cheers and applause ] WOMAN: Hey, everybody, I am your Anthony Jeselnik fluffer, as it were.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'Have a great night. Thank you so much.', then the trigger '-[ Cheers and applause ] WOMAN: Hey, everybody, I am your Anthony Jeselnik fluffer, as it were.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“Over a haircut. I couldn’t believe it. Finally, I went to her. I said, “Baby, what are you so upset about? It’s just a haircut.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'Over a haircut. I couldn’t believe it. Finally, I went to her. I said, “Baby, what are you so upset about?', then the trigger 'It’s just a haircut.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“Because then that way, when I eventually found out he didn’t exist, it wouldn’t be that big a letdown. [ Laughter ] Three more.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'Because then that way, when I eventually found out he didn’t exist, it wouldn’t be that big a letdown.', then the trigger '[ Laughter ] Three more.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“You guys are gonna be great. [ Laughter ] But if you were upset or you were offended in any way, please don’t worry.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'You guys are gonna be great.', then the trigger '[ Laughter ] But if you were upset or you were offended in any way, please don’t worry.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“She just found out she has to have both of her breasts removed… if she’s ever gonna be good at golf. [ Laughter ] Yeah.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'She just found out she has to have both of her breasts removed… if she’s ever gonna be good at golf.', then the trigger '[ Laughter ] Yeah.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“People always like to joke, “Oh, my mom’s crazy.” My mom is ca-razy. Her entire house is filled with nothing but pictures of Princess Diana.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'People always like to joke, “Oh, my mom’s crazy.” My mom is ca-razy.', then the trigger 'Her entire house is filled with nothing but pictures of Princess Diana.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“She says, “Anthony, I want you to pee on me.” Now, I have never thought about peeing on a woman in my entire life.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'She says, “Anthony, I want you to pee on me.” Now, I have never thought about', then the trigger 'peeing on a woman in my entire life.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“Does everybody know what that means? [ Laughter ] It means she couldn’t believe the Holocaust happened. It’s, like, the worst thing you can be.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'Does everybody know what that means? [ Laughter ] It means she couldn’t believe the Holocaust happened.', then the trigger 'It’s, like, the worst thing you can be.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“I’ve spent the past two years looking for my ex-girlfriend‘s killer. But no one will do it. [ Laughter ] My ex-girlfriend owned a parakeet.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'I’ve spent the past two years looking for my ex-girlfriend‘s killer. But no one will do it.', then the trigger '[ Laughter ] My ex-girlfriend owned a parakeet.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is benign-violation.
“Yeah, I’ve got a kid in Africa that I feed, that I clothe, that I school, that I inoculate for 75 cents a day.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'Yeah, I’ve got a kid in Africa that I feed, that I clothe, that I school,', then the trigger 'that I inoculate for 75 cents a day.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“Every night, my girlfriend comes home from work, and she brings with her a houseplant. She’s like, “Anthony, I had to pick this up.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'Every night, my girlfriend comes home from work, and she brings with her a houseplant.', then the trigger 'She’s like, “Anthony, I had to pick this up.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“So you’re not gonna be a good psychologist. Last question, darling. Have you ever been on a blind date before? -You ever do that?”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'So you’re not gonna be a good psychologist. Last question, darling. Have you ever been on a blind date before?', then the trigger '-You ever do that?' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“Audiences get really upset if I ever try to tell a joke about suicide. So, because of that, here are four jokes about suicide.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'Audiences get really upset if I ever try to tell a joke about suicide.', then the trigger 'So, because of that, here are four jokes about suicide.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“More of an acquaintance, really. One of those people who think they’re way better friends with you than they actually are.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'More of an acquaintance, really.', then the trigger 'One of those people who think they’re way better friends with you than they actually are.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“If I was back in L.A., I would do what I would normally do and just… [ Laughter ] …flick it at a kid.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'If I was back in L.A., I would do what I would normally do and just…', then the trigger '[ Laughter ] …flick it at a kid.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“There is no reason for you to be here tonight. I already tased her.” I’ve got this friend named Kevin. I call him a friend.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'There is no reason for you to be here tonight. I already tased her.” I’ve got this friend named Kevin.', then the trigger 'I call him a friend.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“I’ll trade you mine for that dog.” [ Laughter ] You guys are fantastic. [ Laughter ] I really love performing at this place.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'I’ll trade you mine for that dog.” [ Laughter ] You guys are fantastic.', then the trigger '[ Laughter ] I really love performing at this place.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“I’m really funny. [ Laughter ] I’m a full-time student. You’re a full-time student. Okay, what do you study? -Where do you go to school?”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'I’m really funny. [ Laughter ] I’m a full-time student. You’re a full-time student. Okay, what do you study?', then the trigger '-Where do you go to school?' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“He says, “You need to never tell another Casey Anthony joke ever again.” And I said, “Why?” You know, just to be a dick.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'He says, “You need to never tell another Casey Anthony joke ever again.” And I said,', then the trigger '“Why?” You know, just to be a dick.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“Not everybody has a great sense of humor. [ Laughter ] You guys would probably love my little nephew. He’s like 6 years old.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'Not everybody has a great sense of humor. [ Laughter ] You guys would probably love my little nephew.', then the trigger 'He’s like 6 years old.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
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