Sarah Silverman
A mechanism-level breakdown of 60 analyzed bits from Sarah Silverman (2005–2013), spanning 2 specials. Every excerpt is tagged with its primary humor mechanism using the Comedy Stack framework.
- Analyzed bits
- 60
- Specials
- 2
- Active range
- 2005–2013
- Go-to mechanism
- incongruity-resolution
How Sarah gets laughs
Distribution across the primary humor mechanisms in the analyzed set.
60 attributed excerpts
Short quoted bits used here as editorial examples of Sarah Silverman’s mechanism-level craft. Each excerpt links to its full-transcript source.
“But I pray for them. I was just literally praying for the billions of teeny, tiny Republicans that die every single year in hookers’ assholes.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'But I pray for them.', then the trigger 'I was just literally praying for the billions of teeny, tiny Republicans that die every single year in hookers’ assho...' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“Good, bad… I don’t wanna feel. I don’t like it. Like, my mother sent me an email that said, “Elephants reunite after 20 years!” Delete.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'Good, bad… I don’t wanna feel. I don’t like it.', then the trigger 'Like, my mother sent me an email that said, “Elephants reunite after 20 years!” Delete.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“No, she’s so sweet now. And she… it literally makes her cry when I bring this up, but thank God, umm… she doesn’t have HBO.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'No, she’s so sweet now.', then the trigger 'And she… it literally makes her cry when I bring this up, but thank God, umm… she doesn’t have HBO.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“Um… “mind blowing.” That’s two words again, God! Okay, I’m gonna have to describe it in two words. Uh, “great job, Sarah.” Hey!”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'Um… “mind blowing.” That’s two words again, God! Okay, I’m gonna have to describe it in two words.', then the trigger 'Uh, “great job, Sarah.” Hey!' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“What about this one? “Yeah, whatever.” That, like, jerk-off thing. I believe that’s from insecurity. Pfftt.” What is a guy saying when he does that?”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'What about this one? “Yeah, whatever.” That, like, jerk-off thing. I believe that’s from insecurity.', then the trigger 'Pfftt.” What is a guy saying when he does that?' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“But I do, I want a baby. The thing with me is, like, the caveat is I don’t want like a 10-year-old in 10 years.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'But I do, I want a baby.', then the trigger 'The thing with me is, like, the caveat is I don’t want like a 10-year-old in 10 years.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“I don’t know why they’re my search words, but they are.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'I don’t know why they’re my search', then the trigger 'words, but they are.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“I very rarely, occasionally, obsessively watch porn on my phone. And when I do, I integrate it into my nighttime rituals. I wash my face.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'I very rarely, occasionally, obsessively watch porn on my phone. And when I do, I integrate it into my nighttime ritu...', then the trigger 'I wash my face.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“And there’s real products on shelves. No, it’s a made-up need made by greedy, money-addicted, faceless corporations preying on a woman’s greatest insecurity… smelly vagina.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'And there’s real products on shelves.', then the trigger 'No, it’s a made-up need made by greedy, money-addicted, faceless corporations preying on a woman’s greatest insecurit...' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“I associate it with happy. I don’t know why. Like, it was my very own curly shower or something. Maybe because we didn’t need words.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'I associate it with happy. I don’t know why. Like, it was my very own curly shower or something.', then the trigger 'Maybe because we didn’t need words.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“She had things to do. You know one thing I’ve noticed, people who say the phrase, “Threw me under the bus,” um, say it lot.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'She had things to do.', then the trigger 'You know one thing I’ve noticed, people who say the phrase, “Threw me under the bus,” um, say it lot.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“I had a, um… you ever have a memory and you… that you haven’t had since the event happened? You know what I mean?”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'I had a, um… you ever have a memory and you… that you haven’t had since the event happened?', then the trigger 'You know what I mean?' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“And they did their sound check and left. But the drummer stayed and she was just sitting at her drums, watching me set up.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'And they did their sound check and left.', then the trigger 'But the drummer stayed and she was just sitting at her drums, watching me set up.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“I just feel like if there was a suggestion box or something, I’d say, “Maybe call it Make-another-Wish.” You guys did a great job.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'I just feel like if there was a suggestion box or something, I’d say, “Maybe call', then the trigger 'it Make-another-Wish.” You guys did a great job.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“It’s like ridic.” Look at my space work there. It’s impressive, isn’t it? What does that tell you? I don’t even own a BlackBerry.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'It’s like ridic.” Look at my space work there. It’s impressive, isn’t it? What does that tell you?', then the trigger 'I don’t even own a BlackBerry.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“I have to remind myself, like, “It’s just an actor. It’s just an actor.” I love being able to see all 39 of you.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'I have to remind myself, like, “It’s just an actor.', then the trigger 'It’s just an actor.” I love being able to see all 39 of you.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“We live in a very divided country. Like, it’s crazy, you know? It’s not even about ideas anymore. It’s not even about ideals anymore.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'We live in a very divided country. Like, it’s crazy, you know? It’s not even about ideas anymore.', then the trigger 'It’s not even about ideals anymore.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“And I don’t think it’s because they get thrown under the bus a lot. I think it’s because they… they deflect blame a lot.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'And I don’t think it’s because they get thrown under the bus a lot.', then the trigger 'I think it’s because they… they deflect blame a lot.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“I know you were sick.” You find humanity… in the oddest of places. So my mom was in the hospital and I visited her.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'I know you were sick.” You find humanity… in the oddest of places.', then the trigger 'So my mom was in the hospital and I visited her.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“Say 10 ‘Heil’ Marys.” And Hitler goes to heaven. Hitler goes to heaven… is the name of my band. Scientology is weird because it’s new.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'Say 10 ‘Heil’ Marys.” And Hitler goes to heaven. Hitler goes to heaven… is the name of my band.', then the trigger 'Scientology is weird because it’s new.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“I mean, I want to tell Hasidic Jews, “I promise you, God will not mind if you wear a nice cotton blend in the summer.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'I mean, I want to tell Hasidic Jews, “I promise you, God will not mind if you', then the trigger 'wear a nice cotton blend in the summer.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“All the men come on the lady’s face. And then right before the video freezes, I heard a guy say to her, “Hey, great job.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'All the men come on the lady’s face.', then the trigger 'And then right before the video freezes, I heard a guy say to her, “Hey, great job.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“I have a moral issue with it obviously cause they’re treating the unions that debone the babies really bad. Pick your battles I guess.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'I have a moral issue with it obviously cause they’re treating the unions that debone the babies really bad.', then the trigger 'Pick your battles I guess.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“Some delicious Fidgy water actually. Which for some reason just tastes better. And as I’m walking in. There’s a man standing outside of the door.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'Some delicious Fidgy water actually. Which for some reason just tastes better. And as I’m walking in.', then the trigger 'There’s a man standing outside of the door.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“So they never change. What did the agency send you for the show? I told them to send you a gift. Cheese in sausage platter.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'So they never change. What did the agency send you for the show? I told them to send you a gift.', then the trigger 'Cheese in sausage platter.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“I know for me. I was a bad wetter willing to my teens. And continue to have a bevy of, you know, unwanted hairs.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'I know for me. I was a bad wetter willing to my teens.', then the trigger 'And continue to have a bevy of, you know, unwanted hairs.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“Expecting nothing by the way. They called their money together, whatever they call it. And bought a stamp and sent me a postcard, thanking me.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'Expecting nothing by the way. They called their money together, whatever they call it.', then the trigger 'And bought a stamp and sent me a postcard, thanking me.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“Out of many good features. But it’s… I’ve a very swan-like neck. And my neck is actually six inches long, completely flaccid. I am cheating.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'Out of many good features. But it’s… I’ve a very swan-like neck. And my neck is actually six inches long, completely...', then the trigger 'I am cheating.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“They much prefer ‘Yes you are!’ Thank you for laughing at that. I appreciate it. I always feel crappy when I do that joke.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'They much prefer ‘Yes you are!’ Thank you for laughing at that. I appreciate it.', then the trigger 'I always feel crappy when I do that joke.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“It’s about a … the Holocaust. And it’s kind of a… But it’s funny. And it’s also musical. – Oh my God, that sounds awesome.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'It’s about a … the Holocaust. And it’s kind of a… But it’s funny. And it’s also musical.', then the trigger '– Oh my God, that sounds awesome.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“It gets such a good laugh. I just feel like. What did midgets ever do? You know as a people to deserve to be marked.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'It gets such a good laugh. I just feel like. What did midgets ever do?', then the trigger 'You know as a people to deserve to be marked.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“And it’s so fun and it’s just crazy. I just don’t want… like I don’t wanna be labeled as straight or labbled as gay.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'And it’s so fun and it’s just crazy.', then the trigger 'I just don’t want… like I don’t wanna be labeled as straight or labbled as gay.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“And I just… love that, you know. I love like getting into the psychology of people. I did not lose my virginity until was 26.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'And I just… love that, you know. I love like getting into the psychology of people.', then the trigger 'I did not lose my virginity until was 26.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“But I don’t. I base it on facts. Fact the SAT test, the test that basically decides whether you go to college or not.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'But I don’t. I base it on facts.', then the trigger 'Fact the SAT test, the test that basically decides whether you go to college or not.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“I always know when its Hitler’s birthday. Cause they announced it on Entertainment Tonight. Right before they got a commercial, you see like a silhouette.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'I always know when its Hitler’s birthday. Cause they announced it on Entertainment Tonight.', then the trigger 'Right before they got a commercial, you see like a silhouette.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“I’m writing a whole show for tonight. I don’t even have a star.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'I’m writing a whole show for tonight.', then the trigger 'I don’t even have a star.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“We should be giving them motivation…. …you know, to win. I tell my niece every time she loses a tag an angel get AIDS.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'We should be giving them motivation…. …you know, to win.', then the trigger 'I tell my niece every time she loses a tag an angel get AIDS.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“Cheese in sausage? I wanna take this. I have an early morning meeting. Best part of a strawberry. Are you ready to do the show?”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'Cheese in sausage? I wanna take this. I have an early morning meeting. Best part of a strawberry.', then the trigger 'Are you ready to do the show?' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“It was cute the way he gave it to me, you know. He said if it doesn’t burn through my skin it will protect me.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'It was cute the way he gave it to me, you know.', then the trigger 'He said if it doesn’t burn through my skin it will protect me.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“And you know what babies love. She came out of the closet recently, my niece. Announced to the family that she is a lesbian.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'And you know what babies love. She came out of the closet recently, my niece.', then the trigger 'Announced to the family that she is a lesbian.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“– Right now? I’ve got a bunch of stuff to do pre-pro. Can we come see it? I wanna see it. It sold out.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward '– Right now? I’ve got a bunch of stuff to do pre-pro. Can we come see it? I wanna see it.', then the trigger 'It sold out.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“They’re human beings born extra crazy small. I don’t think like anybody here thinks we should make fun of midgets. But we do anyway.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'They’re human beings born extra crazy small. I don’t think like anybody here thinks we should make fun of midgets.', then the trigger 'But we do anyway.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“Out of rape. I am… I wear this saint Christopher medal sometimes because I’m Jewish but my boyfriend is Catholic and it was just….”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'Out of rape.', then the trigger 'I am… I wear this saint Christopher medal sometimes because I’m Jewish but my boyfriend is Catholic and it was just….' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“And I want you to carve your dreams out of wood, real wood. And then I want you to… …deepen in what you lack.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'And I want you to carve your dreams out of wood, real wood.', then the trigger 'And then I want you to… …deepen in what you lack.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“And the reason that they give is that they say, you know, if a kid loses a tag it could give him low self-esteem.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'And the reason that they give is that they say, you know, if a kid loses', then the trigger 'a tag it could give him low self-esteem.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“It’s concept, I guess. What about a… What about you? What’s been going on? I haven’t seen you in a while. – Wow, really?”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'It’s concept, I guess. What about a… What about you? What’s been going on? I haven’t seen you in a while.', then the trigger '– Wow, really?' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“I’m 1 year and 1 month pregnant I’m 13 months pregnant, I just found out. That’s what Steve calls his wife – the Cuntintsky.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'I’m 1 year and 1 month pregnant I’m 13 months pregnant, I just found out.', then the trigger 'That’s what Steve calls his wife – the Cuntintsky.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“And it’s really… Its rare. You know it’s only found like on the tip of the tailbone of Ethiopian babies. They debone the babies.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'And it’s really… Its rare. You know it’s only found like on the tip of the tailbone of Ethiopian babies.', then the trigger 'They debone the babies.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“So think about that. I tell her that when God gives you AIDS… When God does give you AIDS by the way? I don’t know.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'So think about that. I tell her that when God gives you AIDS… When God does give you AIDS by the way?', then the trigger 'I don’t know.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“Of becoming our parents. Try to get that lilts like that. It’s a fun. What if fun cut. Can I steal you for a minute?”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'Of becoming our parents. Try to get that lilts like that. It’s a fun. What if fun cut.', then the trigger 'Can I steal you for a minute?' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“They say, you know, strippers, they end up being in porn. It’s like a gateway job to porn. I don’t know. What you gonna do?”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'They say, you know, strippers, they end up being in porn. It’s like a gateway job to porn. I don’t know.', then the trigger 'What you gonna do?' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“Or African American people. And you know what? He was half and half. I’m pretty sure. But the point is I didn’t do the joke.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'Or African American people. And you know what? He was half and half. I’m pretty sure.', then the trigger 'But the point is I didn’t do the joke.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is meta-humor with incongruity-resolution.
“– Can I come on to? – Yeah, for sure. Oh my God, that’s so cool. What’s going on with you? What about that pilot?”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward '– Can I come on to? – Yeah, for sure. Oh my God, that’s so cool. What’s going on with you?', then the trigger 'What about that pilot?' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“It’s totally sold out, every scene. I know, it sucks. What if we just hang backstage and like watch from the wings or something?”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'It’s totally sold out, every scene. I know, it sucks.', then the trigger 'What if we just hang backstage and like watch from the wings or something?' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“All the hang-ups or whatever they had. I went to get some water, I went to liquor store down the street to get some water.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'All the hang-ups or whatever they had.', then the trigger 'I went to get some water, I went to liquor store down the street to get some water.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“And the best time to have a baby is when you’re black teenager. I’m not like a hoydie-toydie kind of girl. I don’t wanna jewels.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'And the best time to have a baby is when you’re black teenager. I’m not like a hoydie-toydie kind of girl.', then the trigger 'I don’t wanna jewels.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“But especially for me. Because it happened to be the same exact day that found out that the soy chai latte is like 900 calories.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'But especially for me.', then the trigger 'Because it happened to be the same exact day that found out that the soy chai latte is like 900 calories.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“I mean it’s… – I mean it’s gonna be on. It’s a show. – On TV? No, but it’s actually like a play slash movie.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'I mean it’s… – I mean it’s gonna be on. It’s a show. – On TV?', then the trigger 'No, but it’s actually like a play slash movie.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
“They went nuts. And she looked like an idiot, like they’re all like, she is a stupid twat that should shut up. – That’s awesome.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'They went nuts. And she looked like an idiot, like they’re all like, she is a stupid twat that should shut up.', then the trigger '– That’s awesome.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is superiority.
“That this is the person who grew up, who was a child you know, whose mother and father probably never gave him any pussy.”
Why it works (Comedy Stack analysis)
The setup points the reader toward 'That this is the person who grew up, who was a child you know, whose mother', then the trigger 'and father probably never gave him any pussy.' forces a reinterpretation. The main mechanism is incongruity-resolution.
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