How to Write a Joke
Nov 11, 2025 · 31 min
Comedy writer Elliott Kalan (The Daily Show, The Flop House, Mystery Science Theater 3000, and co-host of the 99% Invisible Breakdown of The Power Broker) spills the secrets of how he grows jokes from tiny ideas into full-blown laughs.
Joke Farming: How to Write Comedy and Other Nonsense is out on Nov 12. Find it in your favorite bookstore.
Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early.
Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Listen — make it stick
0:00 / 31:20Moments
Sign in to comment on this exact moment.
Sign in to joinLoading the timeline…
Recall Sets
No Recall Sets here yet — be the first to anchor this episode's sharpest moments.
Enrichment
No enrichment published yet — links, notes, and corrections are still being prepared (and pass human review before they land here). Add the first yourself.
Sign in to add a link, note, or media →Episode discussion
Members in the knowOpening the room…