comedy writing 4The Elements Of Humor (The Play on Words)

Slightly more difficult to write than puns and malapropism is humor that depends on a play on words. The classic examples of the humor in playing on words comes mostly from skilfully constructed routines that have a central theme.

One of the simplest examples of this (gags):

                                                 JACK

Excuse me, are you waiting for the train?

                                                  MEL

Si.

                                                  JACK

You are meeting someone on the train?

                                                  MEL

Si.

                                                  JACK

A relative?

                                                  MEL

Si.

                                                  JACK

What is your name?

                                                  MEL

Cy.

                                                   JACK

Cy?

                                                    MEL

(FAST)

Si.

                                                   JACK

This relative you are waiting for, is it a woman?

                                                   MEL

Si.

                                                   JACK

What is her name?

                                                    MEL

Sue.

                                                   JACK

Sue?

                                                   MEL

Si.