Discover Your Humor Style
I have often heard people say they have no sense of humor because
they cannot tell jokes. Jokes are only one of a hundred different ways to
elicit laughter from people. Each person has a different style of humor. For
the sake of simplicity, I have identified five basic styles: Demonstrator,
Assertor, Contemplator, Narrator and Creator.
The trick to being a successful humorist is to find your style and build
on your innate strengths. For example, are you the kind of person who can
keep people riveted while telling a story about your latest trip to the
grocery store, yet you always blow the timing on a joke? Perhaps you like to
clown around and be playful, but get lost trying to do witty one-liners?
Take the self-quiz on the next few pages to find out your dominant
style or styles. These humor styles are, of course, highly generalized. Most
people have qualities of more than one style, or will tend to switch from one
style to another depending on their environment. Use this information as a
place to start.
If you begin with humor that suits your personality style, you will have
more success than if you try something too foreign right from the start.
Once you experience success in your dominant style, you can expand your
skills to include different types of humor, to appeal to different types of
people. That is why I have included a fifth style that includes and
transcends all the other styles. It is the most creative style and therefore
is labeled Creator.
Humor Style Quiz
Try this self-quiz to find out your dominant humor style. Circle the letter of the
statement that most closely resembles you:
1.
At a large social gathering, you are most likely to:
a.
b.
c.
d.
2.
When you first arrive at a meeting you are usually:
a.
b.
c.
d.
3.
Movie star.
Head of a company.
Inventor.
Humanitarian.
What style of comedy do you most enjoy watching?
a.
b.
c.
d.
5.
A bit late, and try to sneak in the back without being noticed.
Purposely a bit late; you like to get there when things have really
started happening.
Arrive right on time and feel impatient if the meeting starts late.
Arrive early so that you can be ready and organized when the meeting
starts.
If you were famous, which career would most suit you?
a.
b.
c.
d.
4.
Interact with many different people, including strangers.
Talk one-on-one mostly with familiar faces.
Use the opportunity to make important connections with people.
Leave as soon as possible.
Something warm and friendly.
Something quirky and intellectual.
Something with assertive, satirical or pointed humor.
Something wild, outrageous and/or fun.
Of these 4 personality traits, which do you consider to be your best?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Compassionate.
Assertive.
Imaginative.
Persistent.
6.
The statement that most closely describes you is:
a.
b.
c.
d.
7.
Which appeals to you the most?
a.
b.
c.
d.
8.
heart.
head.
wallet.
libido.
Usually stimulates and energizes you.
Revitalizes you, if you have a special connection with someone.
Taxes your reserves, and you aren’t afraid to let people know it.
Taxes your reserves, so you quietly slip away when no one is watching.
With group projects, which part of the process is most important to you?
a.
b.
c.
d.
11.
Your
Your
Your
Your
New and non-routine interaction with others:
a.
b.
c.
d.
10.
Taking action on a calculated risk.
Creating harmonious human relationships.
Discovering the secret behind a complex mystery.
Going to an exciting social event.
Which rules you more?
a.
b.
c.
d.
9.
Sensible and frugal.
Rational and quick-witted.
Sensitive and reliable.
Creative and fiery.
Creating relationships with people.
Sorting out who is playing what role in the project.
Organizing the way the project is done.
Making sure the process of doing it is fun and exciting.
If you suddenly have spare time to yourself, what you usually WANT to do?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Contact several friends and see if there is something fun on.
Have some quality time with one or a just a few people.
Get some important things on your TO DO list done.
Quietly focus your energy on one specific project.
12.
You want to buy a special gift for a new friend that you don’t know very well.
You are most likely to:
a.
b.
c.
d.
13.
Which description most fits you?
a.
b.
c.
d.
14.
Answer it immediately and talk at length.
Look forward to the call, but wait a few rings before answering.
Deal with whoever it is quickly and efficiently.
Hope someone else will answer it or screen the call.
Your favorite type of clothing to wear:
a.
b.
c.
d.
17.
To do your job in your own way in your own time.
To be part of a team working together.
To be the inspirational leader of that team.
Delegate tasks to others on your team, and work alone.
When the phone rings you:
a.
b.
c.
d.
16.
Hard-working and ambitious.
Animated and gregarious.
Focused and efficient.
Cooperative and gentle.
Most of the time, when working, you prefer:
a.
b.
c.
d.
15.
Buy the first thing you see that you intuitively think they’d like.
Carefully find just the right thing, after much comparison.
Buy the same special gift you always buy for special people.
Get someone else to buy the gift, or just give them money.
Comfortable, practical and low-key.
Unique and creative.
Well coordinated and classy.
Casual but nice.
Which genre of fiction do you most prefer?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Mystery or science fiction.
Feel-good story or romantic comedy.
Epic, adventure or action.
Zany comedy, psychological thriller, or glitz.
18.
Which is more admirable?
a.
b.
c.
d.
19.
In terms of comedy, you most admire someone who can:
a.
b.
c.
d.
20.
The ability to organize and be methodical.
The ability to take charge in a chaotic situation.
The ability to motivate others to succeed.
The ability to be cooperative and collaborative.
Tell a heartwarming, funny story.
Tell a great joke or offer satirical observations.
Mimic others or create interesting characters.
Offer a witty one-liner, pun or wordplay.
If a conflict arises between you and a friend, your FIRST reaction is to:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Make sure they understand you.
Make sure the relationship doesn’t get damaged.
Avoid confrontation and trust it will resolve itself in due time.
Find a solution where you both get what you want.
Humor Style Quiz - Answers
Circle the answers you chose. Then, add up the number of A’s, D’s, N’s, and C’s you
have.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
a. D
a. N
a. D
a. N
a. N
a. C
a. A
a. N
a. D
a. N
a. D
a. D
a. A
a. C
a. D
a. C
a. C
a. C
a. N
a. A
b. N
b. D
b. A
b. C
b. A
b. A
b. N
b. C
b. N
b. A
b. N
b. N
b. D
b. N
b. N
b. D
b. N
b. A
b. A
b. N
c. A
c. A
c. C
c. A
c. D
c. N
c. C
c. A
c. A
c. C
c. A
c. C
c. C
c. D
c. A
c. A
c. A
c. D
c. D
c. C
d. C
d. C
d. N
d. D
d. C
d. D
d. D
d. D
d. C
d. N
d. C
d. A
d. N
d. A
d. C
d. N
d. D
d. N
d. C
d. D
Total A’s _____
Total D’s ______
Total N’s ______
Total C’s ______
Total ________________ should come to 20
Interpretation
What does this mean to you as a presenter? How can you use this information to
make yourself a bit more entertaining when you speak? Below are the different
humor styles, listing their strengths and weaknesses, with examples of famous
comedians and comedy shows, and examples of jokes. Then we will look at audience
styles and how you can match your style with your audience’s style, increasing the
chances of creating much laughter in the room..
Demonstrator
Demonstrators are people-oriented, fast-paced and enthusiastic. They
usually have open body language, are animated and outgoing. They tend to prefer an
informal atmosphere, and enjoy socializing frequently. Demonstrators can be
outrageous, spontaneous and excitable. They are ideas-people who like to be in the
limelight. Weaknesses of this type are that they can be unreliable, self-centered,
overly optimistic and lack boundaries.
Many people drawn into traditional comedy performing are Demonstrators,
or have had to develop this kind of humor persona. Steve Martin is a Demonstrator
comedian. You can see his extraordinary talent at physical comedy and wacky
characters in such movies as The Jerk, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and All of Me.
Carrot Top, Sofia Vergara, Lucille Ball, Buster Keaton, the Three Stooges, Robin
Williams and Jerry Lewis were all Demonstrators. Their wild physical antics made
them the top comedians of their day. More recently, the TV show Dharma and Greg
features Jenna Elfman as a Demonstrator. TV shows that focus on Demonstrator
humor are Whose Line is it Anyway?, Your Show of Shows, and Mr. Bean.
Cartoonists such as Chuck Jones (Looney Tunes) or Friz Freleng (The Pink Panther)
use a Demonstrator style as well.
Humor strengths:
•
•
•
Improvised humor
Using costumes, props or magic
Physical exaggerations
•
•
•
Characters
Clowning
Accents
• Impressions
• Games
• Farce
Demonstrator Jokes
Here are samples of jokes that Demonstrators might tell or enjoy.
Demonstrator jokes usually include something off-the-wall or outrageous, and the
topic is more often about people, rather than concepts or things. For example, many
impressionists, game show hosts and character actors are Demonstrators. Their job
throughout history has been to step outside the norm, exaggerate the situation or
take the mundane into the absurd, so that we stop taking life so seriously.
How many surrealist painters does it take to screw in a light bulb? Three. One to
change the bulb, one to hold the giraffe, and one to fill the bathtub with
multicolored dental instruments. - Mitchell Yawitz
We have women in the military, but they don’t put us in the front lines. They don’t
know if we can fight, if we can kill. I think we can. All the general has to do is walk
over to the women and say, ‘You see the enemy over there? They say you look fat in
those uniforms.
- Elayne Boosler
Good thing I was born a woman, or I’d have been a drag queen.
-
Dolly Parton
Whenever I have to choose between two evils, I always like to try the one I haven’t
tried before.
Mae West
I may not be totally perfect, but parts of me are excellent.
Brilliant
-
Ashleigh
Assertor
Assertors are fast-paced and direct, like Demonstrators, but tend to
be more task-oriented. They are hard-working, ambitious, leader types who
are good at making decisions quickly and efficiently. They are goal-oriented,
assertive and confident. Assertors are the take-charge people who let
nothing stop them. Their weaknesses include being too impatient,
competitive and judgmental.
Entertainers such as Louis CK, Joan Rivers, Bea Arthur, Roseanne
Barr, and Jonathan Winters are all Assertors. Shows like The Office,
Married with Children, Home Improvement, Late Night with David Letterman
or This Hour Has 22 Minutes all have a high quotient of Assertor humor. The
satirical, sharp-tongued humor of such comedians as Dennis Miller, Chris
Rock, Joan Rivers, George Carlin and Don Rickles are also typical of
Assertors. Many comedy duos often consist of an Assertor and a
Demonstrator, such as George Burns and Gracie Allen, Dean Martin and
Jerry Lewis, Laurel and Hardy, or Abbott and Costello, respectively.
Cartoonists such as Jim Davis (Garfield), Garry Trudeau (Doonesbury), or Bill
Watterson (Calvin and Hobbes) use an Assertor style in their comic strips.
Humor strengths
•
•
•
Stand-up comedy
•
Political satire
•
Pointed observations
Roasts
Jokes
•Humor that uncovers the truth
•Witty one-liners
Assertor Jokes
Here are jokes that Assertors might tell or enjoy. Assertor jokes
usually have an edge, point out an uncomfortable truth or include an aspect
of power balancing. For example, many late-night comedians are like the
king’s court jesters of the olden days. Their job is to poke fun at authority
figures when they get out of balance.
How many honest politicians does it take to screw in a light bulb? Both of
them. - Anonymous
Based on what you know about him in history books, what do you think
Abraham Lincoln would be doing if he were alive today?
1. Writing his memoirs of the Civil War.
2. Advising the President.
3. Desperately clawing at the inside of his coffin.
-David Letterman
Whenever I date a guy, I think, is this the man I want my children to spend
their weekends with?
- Rita Rudner
I’m going to write a book about the South. I’m going to call it When Beautiful
Places Happen to Bad People.
- Brett Butler
The day I worry about cleaning my house, is the day Sears comes out with a
riding vacuum cleaner.
-
Roseanne Barr
Have you ever noticed? Anybody going slower than you is a maniac, and
anyone going faster than you is a moron.
-George Carlin
Contemplator
Contemplators are task-oriented like Assertors, however they are
more indirect and methodical. Contemplators tend to be analytical, detailoriented, thinker types. They are persistent, good problem-solvers and pride
themselves on their orderliness and accuracy. Often seen alone, they tend to
have quiet, low-key personalities. Their weaknesses include being too
withdrawn, rigid, closed-minded and overly pessimistic.
Entertainers who access the Contemplator style are often in the
comedy-writing department, rather than on stage. However, actors like Rick
Moranis, Bob Newhart and Woody Allen personify the quiet, intellectual
style of Contemplators. Comedians such as Tina Fey, Ellen DeGeneres, and
Steven Wright can enter into that dry, observational style, as well. Shows
such as Frasier, Dilbert, Big Bang Theory, or the Drew Carey Show all have
Contemplators as the main protagonist. Several comedy duos are made up of
a Narrator and a Contemplator, such as Helen Hunt and Paul Reiser in Mad
About You; Cheech and Chong, and the Smothers Brothers. Woody Allen
often teamed himself with a female Narrator comedienne such as Diane
Keaton or Mia Farrow. Many of the top cartoonists are Contemplators such
as Gary Larson (The Far Side) or Charles Schulz (Peanuts). They enjoy the
intellectual challenge and quiet life of a syndicated cartoonist.
Humor strengths:
•
•
•
Political Cartoons
•
Puzzles & mind games •
Observational
•
Puns & word plays
•
Analytical & intellectual •
Conceptual
Puzzles
Riddles
Contemplator Jokes
Contemplator jokes may include self-deprecating humor, black humor,
wordplays or wry observations. The topic is more often about concepts than
about people. The Contemplator’s job throughout history has been to look at
the world from unusual angles and provide us with new perspectives. Here
are jokes that Contemplator might tell or enjoy.
How many programmers does it take to change a light bulb? None, that’s
hardware.
-
Anonymous
It’s not that I’m afraid to die, I just don’t want to be there when it happens.
- Woody Allen
Whenever I think of the past it just brings back so many memories.
- Steven Wright
I used to work at the International House of Pancakes. It was a dream, and
I made it happen.
- Paula Poundstone
Sorry, but my karma just ran over your dogma.
Beyondananda
- Swami
Narrator
Narrators are mellow and reserved like Contemplators, but they are
more people-oriented like Demonstrators. They are warm, friendly, gentle
and cooperative. They value relationships over tasks. They are good at
listening, have a sweet temperament, and tend to be open-minded. Most
people find them to be loving and emotionally intuitive. Weaknesses of this
type are their lack of assertiveness, and their tendency to get sidetracked.
Sitcom stars such as Eric Stonestreet, Matt LeBlanc, Mary Tyler
Moore, Bill Cosby, and Jean Stapleton are all Narrator comedians. Character
actors such as Gilda Radner, John Candy, Mike Myers and Dan Ackroyd are
also Narrators. For years, Narrator Johnny Carson had his late night show
pitted against his exact opposite, Assertor David Letterman. Similarly, a
Narrator show like Oprah is pitted against the opposing Assertor style of a
show like Geraldo. Many family sitcoms have a Narrator style of comedy,
such as Modern Family, New Girl, Friends or Mad About You. Family movies
and romantic comedies such as Parenthood, LA Story, or When Harry Met
Sally focus on a Narrator style. Cartoonists such as Cathy Guisewite (Cathy),
or Lynn Johnston (For Better or For Worse) also use a Narrator style of
humor in their comic strips.
Humor strengths:
•
•
Family-oriented
•
Heartwarming stories •
Cooperative games
Ventriloquism
• Romantic comedies
• Puppetry
Narrator Jokes
Narrator jokes tend to be about relationships between people, or
charming characteristics about people. The Narrator’s job throughout
history has been to use humor to bring people closer, to break the ice, and
to help us build compassion for ourselves and others. Here are jokes that
Narrators might tell or enjoy.
How many grandmothers does it take to screw in a light bulb? Three. One to
change the bulb, and two to reminisce about how nice the old one was. Anonymous
The major concerns of Emily Litella (Gilda Radner):
1. Conservation of national race horses
2. Violins in schools
3. Soviet jewelry
4. Endangered feces
Parents are not interested in justice, they are interested in quiet.
Cosby
- Bill
You know you’re getting old when you stoop to tie your shoes and wonder
what else you can do while you’re down there.
- George Burns
Anytime four New Yorkers get into a cab together without arguing, a bank
robbery has just taken place.
-Johnny Carson
Women definitely go to maintenance extremes. It’s amazing the way women
take care of all the hair on their bodies. One of the great mysteries to me is
the fact that a woman could pour hot wax on her legs, rip the hair out by the
roots, and still be afraid of a spider. - Jerry Seinfeld
Styles within Comedy Teams
Successful comedy teams often consist of four people who each represent a
different humor style. Here are some examples:
Show
Seinfeld
Friends
Big Bang
Theory
Modern
Family
The Marx
Brothers
Monty
Python
This Hour
Has 22
Minutes
Contemplator
Elaine
Chandler
Sheldon
Bernadette
Mitchell
Assertor
George
Monica
Leonard
Kripke
Jay
Claire
Groucho
Narrator
Jerry
Joey
Raj
Penny
Cam
Zeppo
Demonstrator
Kramer
Phoebe
Howard
Amy
Phil
Gloria
Chico
Terry
Gilliam
Greg
Thomey
Michael
Palin
Mary
Walsh
John
Cleese
Rick
Mercer
Eric
Idle
Cathy
Jones
Harpo
One Joke/ Four Styles
Here is a joke to better help you understand the four styles:
Four spies for the British Intelligence, who each embodied a
different humor style, were captured by the sinister arch
villain, Oldfinger. They were all hung precariously above a vat of
boiling oil. The executioner pulled the rope and they came
falling down, only to stop inches from the oil. Oldfinger was so
annoyed that he had a heart attack and died on the spot. His
lackeys rejoiced at his demise and set all the spies free.
The Assertor announced, “I told you I’d find a way out of this!”
The Demonstrator called out, “Let’s party!”
The Narrator went up to the executioner, hugged him and said,
“I just want you to know I don’t take this personally.”
The Contemplator said, “I think I see the problem.”
Creator
Creators are the fifth type of humorist, and typically they can access
most styles of humor. If your Humor Style Quiz score came out fairly even
across the board, consider yourself a Creator, or on your way there. To some
extent we are all a hybrid of many styles. The more balanced we can become,
the more tools we have in our toolkit, the better prepared we are for the
humor challenges we may encounter in life.
Creators can be both people-oriented, and task-oriented. They can
flip between a slow-paced style and a fast-paced one often with great
comic effect. They are open at certain times when it feels appropriate and
reserved when that feels best. When the situation calls for it, they will be
direct in their communication. When a more indirect approach serves, they
will opt for this route. They tend to stay in the present moment, and utilize
whatever tools seem best for the occasion. They can be great writers of
comedy as well as great performers. They both plan their humor carefully,
and break free into spontaneity when necessary. Their style is congruent
with the situation. Their position is one of wholeness and free movement in
any direction. All parts of themselves are in balance. Weaknesses of this
type are that they can challenge the status quo too much, causing others to
feel off-balance or uncomfortable.
Comedians who are versatile in many areas are often Creators, such as
Robin Williams and Jim Carey. Dana Carvey, Lily Tomlin, Eddie Murphy and
Whoopi Goldberg demonstrate a Creator’s ability to do a variety of
characters. Those who venture into many kinds of comedy, such as Billy
Crystal, Bill Murray and Tom Hanks, are also Creators. They have ventured
into such varied areas as stand-up, improv, sketch comedy, movie acting, TV
roles, writing, and directing, etc. There are many behind-the-scenes
humorists who are Creators. They are producing, directing and writing, often
being the innovators of new projects. Some Creators are able to be behind
the scenes and also perform, including Charlie Chaplin, Spalding Gray, Alan
Alda, Albert Brooks, Goldie Hawn and Elaine May.
Creators move past stereotypes, conventions, and styles to pioneer
something new. According to most comedians, an audience of comedians is
the toughest. They can see behind the comedian’s bag of tricks, and are
usually analyzing the performer rather than surrendering to the comic
experience. In his book The Republic, the ancient Greek Scholar Plato
referred to the Philosopher-King as the ideal ruler because of his pioneering
innovation. Hal Erickson, a comedy reviewer, said that Albert Brooks was this
“Comedian-Philosopher-King of whom Plato spoke” because of his innovative
style. Brooks is one of the few comedians who can make other comics laugh.
Humor strengths:
•
•
•
Humor with a general appeal
Mind-expanding concepts
Performance storytelling
•
•
•
Philosophical
Mythic comedy
Creating new comic formats
Creator Jokes
Creator jokes use humor to philosophize, to poke fun at human foibles
rather than at specific people, and as a vehicle for creativity. Creators are
likely to create new kinds of jokes, physicalizations, observations, and
unusual forms of delivery. They may choose to demonstrate humor one
moment, then use it to cut to the truth, move into narrative, and end with a
contemplative style. They find a synthesis between many kinds of humor,
either putting them together in new ways, creating a hybrid, or transforming
two styles into a completely new third style. Here are jokes that Creators
might tell or enjoy.
How many Zen Masters does it take to screw in a light bulb? Two. One to
screw in the bulb and one not to screw in the bulb.
- Anonymous
Reality is the leading cause of stress amongst those in touch with it. I can
take it in small doses, but as a lifestyle I find it too confining.
- Lily Tomlin in her show The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life
(written by Jane Wagner)
In the end, everything is a gag.
- Charlie Chaplin
Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious. – Plato
Experience is that marvelous thing that enables you recognize a mistake
when you make it again.
- F. P. Jones
To err is human. To really screw up, you need a computer.
-
- Anonymous