One-liner
A one-liner is a short, self-contained joke that comedians deliver in a single sentence or brief statement. In the comedy industry, being skilled at one-liners shows a comedian's ability to write concise, punchy material that gets quick laughs. Think of comedians like Jimmy Carr or Mitch Hedberg, who are known for this style. While some comedians focus entirely on one-liners, others mix them into longer stories or their regular act. When recruiters or bookers see "one-liner" mentioned on a resume, it indicates the performer can deliver quick, efficient comedy that works well for various settings, from comedy clubs to corporate events.
Examples in Resumes
Won regional comedy competition with signature one-liner routine
Featured in Comedy Central's Top 100 One-Liners special
Developed 30-minute one liner set for corporate entertainment events
Typical job title: "One-liner Comedians"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find One-liner Comedians
Online Communities
Industry Networks
Performance Venues
Example Interview Questions
Experienced Comedian Questions
Q: How do you handle different audience types with your one-liner material?
Expected Answer: Should discuss adapting material for different venues (corporate vs club), reading audience reactions, and having backup material ready. Should mention experience with various audience sizes and demographics.
Q: How do you develop and test new one-liners?
Expected Answer: Should explain their writing process, how they test new material at open mics, and methods for tracking which jokes work best with different audiences.
Mid-Level Comedian Questions
Q: What's your process for timing one-liners effectively?
Expected Answer: Should discuss importance of precise delivery, pause techniques, and how they practice timing to maximize laugh response.
Q: How do you structure a set of one-liners?
Expected Answer: Should explain how they organize material, transition between jokes, and maintain audience engagement through a longer set.
Beginning Comedian Questions
Q: What makes a good one-liner?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of basic joke structure, setup-punchline format, and importance of brevity and clarity.
Q: How many one-liners do you have ready to perform?
Expected Answer: Should have at least 5-10 minutes of tested material, understanding the need for multiple jokes and backup material.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic joke writing
- Open mic experience
- 5-10 minute set of material
- Basic audience interaction
Mid (2-5 years)
- Consistent bookings at clubs
- 30+ minute clean set
- Crowd work abilities
- Material for different venues
Senior (5+ years)
- Headliner experience
- Corporate event expertise
- TV/radio appearances
- Original hour of material
Red Flags to Watch For
- Unable to adapt material for different audiences
- No experience performing at live venues
- Lack of original material
- Poor timing or delivery skills
Related Terms
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