JRE #578 – Peter McGraw

This podcast features a conversation with Peter McGraw, a professor of Marketing and Psychology, known for his work on humor and the book “The Humor Code.” The episode delves into the origins and mechanisms of humor, exploring its role in society, its connection to psychology, and its application in comedy. It also discusses the complexities of the comedy world, including the challenges of success, the impact of audience dynamics, and the evolution of comedy.

Here are 20 major topics covered in the podcast:

The Humor Code and its Insights

1. **The Humor Code: What Makes Things Funny?**
The podcast explores the concept of “The Humor Code” as a framework for understanding humor. The book “The Humor Code” is a global expedition into the science of comedy, examining what makes things funny across different cultures. McGraw explains how the book, written with journalist Joel Warner, aims to uncover the universal principles of humor.

2. **The Benign Violation Theory:**
McGraw presents the “Benign Violation Theory” as a core concept in “The Humor Code.” This theory posits that humor arises from the violation of expectations or norms, but in a way that is perceived as safe or benign. The violation creates a sense of surprise or tension, while the benign nature allows for laughter rather than anger or fear.

3. **Contagious Laughter and the Role of Social Cues:**
The podcast delves into the phenomenon of contagious laughter. McGraw explains how laughter, as a primitive communication tool, signals that a potentially threatening or unusual situation is actually safe and okay. This can lead to social bonding and the spread of positive emotions within a group.

4. **The Psychology of Humor:**
The episode delves into the psychological underpinnings of humor. McGraw discusses how humor can be a coping mechanism, a way to release tension, and a means of social connection. He also explores the link between humor and arousal, suggesting that a heightened arousal state, whether positive or negative, can enhance the impact of humor.

5. **The “Seinfeld Strategy” and the “Silverman Strategy”:**
McGraw outlines two distinct comedic strategies, drawing examples from Jerry Seinfeld and Sarah Silverman. The “Seinfeld Strategy” focuses on finding the unexpected or absurd in seemingly ordinary situations, while the “Silverman Strategy” involves taking something that is generally considered wrong or taboo and finding a way to make it acceptable or even funny.

Stand-up Comedy and the Art of Making People Laugh

6. **The Importance of Stage Time and Practice:**
The podcast emphasizes the crucial role of stage time in developing a successful comedic persona. McGraw shares his personal experience of bombing during his early stand-up attempts, highlighting the importance of facing fear and failure to achieve proficiency.

7. **The Power of Observation and Audience Awareness:**
McGraw stresses the importance of observing and understanding one’s audience. He notes that effective comedians are able to adapt their material and delivery to resonate with a particular group. This requires self-awareness, empathy, and a keen sense of the social and cultural context.

8. **The “10 Year Rule” and the Development of a Comedic Voice:**
The podcast explores the concept of the “10 Year Rule,” suggesting that it takes a significant amount of time and experience to develop a unique and compelling comedic voice. This is due to a combination of honing skills, refining material, and gaining a deeper understanding of the world and oneself.

9. **The Impact of Context and Environment on Humor:**
McGraw discusses how the physical environment, including the size and layout of a comedy club, can influence audience response. He highlights factors such as low ceilings, dim lighting, and cramped seating arrangements that can contribute to a more intimate and engaging experience.

10. **The Role of “Mass Hypnosis” in Stand-up Comedy:**
The episode explores the idea of stand-up comedy as a form of “mass hypnosis.” McGraw suggests that in the right context, a skilled comedian can draw an audience into their world, guiding their thoughts and emotions through humor.

11. **The Importance of Finding a Niche and a Community:**
McGraw discusses the importance of finding a niche in comedy, a specific style or audience that resonates with the comedian’s work. He emphasizes the value of surrounding oneself with other talented comedians, forming a supportive community for growth and inspiration.

12. **The Evolution of Comedy and the Impact of the Internet:**
The podcast touches on the evolution of comedy, specifically the role of the internet in creating new opportunities and shaping audience expectations. McGraw notes that comedians can now build a following directly, bypassing traditional gatekeepers and reaching a wider audience.

13. **The Distinctive Styles of Different Comedy Subgenres:**
McGraw discusses the differences in comedic styles across various subgenres. He highlights the distinct nature of “hipster comedy” in urban areas and the growing popularity of “blue-collar comedy,” which caters to a different demographic.

The Broader Implications of Humor and its Cultural Impact

14. **Humor as a Tool for Social Change and Commentary:**
The podcast explores the potential of humor to serve as a tool for social change and commentary. McGraw discusses how comedians can use humor to critique social norms, challenge authority, and raise awareness of important issues.

15. **The Importance of “Punching Up” and Avoiding Insensitivity:**
The episode addresses the concept of “punching up,” the idea that humor should be directed at those in positions of power rather than those who are already marginalized or oppressed. McGraw acknowledges the complexities of this concept and the potential for unintended harm.

16. **The Challenge of Finding the “Sweet Spot” in Humor:**
McGraw discusses the delicate balance involved in creating effective humor. He explains how jokes can fail in two ways: by being too offensive and triggering anger, or by being too bland and failing to create interest.

17. **The Role of Humor in Tragedy and Healing:**
The podcast explores the role of humor in coping with tragedy and promoting healing. McGraw cites examples of how humor, particularly satire, can help to reappraise difficult situations, make them less overwhelming, and foster a sense of shared experience.

18. **The Historical Perspective of Humor and Its Evolution:**
McGraw provides a historical perspective on humor, highlighting how it has been viewed differently throughout time. He notes that humor, once considered subversive and potentially dangerous, is now often seen as a positive force for social connection and change.

19. **The Importance of Self-Awareness and Introspection in Humor:**
The episode emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and introspection in humor. McGraw suggests that comedians should be mindful of how their words and actions are perceived by others and should be willing to challenge their own biases.

20. **The Future of Humor and the Potential of “Funny-fication”:**
McGraw outlines his vision for future research on humor, exploring the potential for developing interventions to help individuals become funnier. He envisions a “funny-fication” process that would involve analyzing an individual’s sense of humor, identifying areas for improvement, and providing targeted guidance and training.

5 Memorable Quotes from the Podcast

1. “The book’s about what makes things funny, and it’s a global expedition. So I teamed up with a writer, Joel Warner. And and the book’s actually told in his voice. So it’s a a co written book, but it’s Joel sort of narrating what it is that we’re going through, like through his eyes.” – McGraw describes the collaborative nature of “The Humor Code” and the unique voice that it brings to the subject of humor.

2. “It’s like, why does he need to do something? Like, like, it’s not like the man probably didn’t have admirers. Mhmm. Like, there’s something Yeah. It’s scary. It’s very you’re very right. Yeah. You’re very right. And that’s that sort of supports a lot of the arguments that women always want to bring up when they talk about rape. The rape is not about sex. It’s about violence. Yeah. It’s about control.” – McGraw raises a crucial point about the motivations behind Bill Cosby’s alleged crimes, emphasizing that sexual assault is often about power and control, not just sexual desire.

3. “And so So what is it though that that you can point to that that made you go down the path of comedy versus some other path? Well, I can I can comment on this in a in a unique way because there was a lot of other points of focus that I used to try to distract myself from from my unhappy childhood that it weren’t funny at all.” – McGraw reflects on his own journey into comedy, suggesting that humor can be a way for individuals to cope with difficult experiences and seek validation.

4. “And, obviously, you’re talking about the guy who I think is, like, one of the best ever, but he would eat shit because he would go on after these guys and no one knew who he was. Uh-huh. So they didn’t know they didn’t know that they were gonna expect the Mitch Hedberg style. So they saw this guy go on after this guy who was flipping around, sweating, and putting out all this effort, and they just never No. It look like he’s mailing it in.” – McGraw discusses the challenges of finding an audience that appreciates a unique comedic style, even when the comedian is exceptionally talented.

5. “And so I, like, I, like, peed in his panic room. Like, his bathroom has been converted to a panic room. On all of his walls throughout his house, are pictures of of him doing this to any religion more or less. Right? So so for him, he’s he’s just punching. Like, to him, it doesn’t matter. He’s just like, I’m there to sadderize.” – McGraw shares a humorous anecdote about a cartoonist who has been targeted for his satire, illustrating the risks and consequences of pushing boundaries in the world of humor.