Studying a Celebrity — Rita Rudner
I loved Rita Rudner’s one-woman show in Las Vegas. It’s always great to study a top pro. She drove home the power of the “call-back” (a reference to something funny which was previously presented during the routine). Her call-backs were some of the funniest lines of her hilarious 75-minute performance.
Let me give you one example: She commented on the health risks of sunbathing. And she pointed out how cute, young 18-year-old women will lay out in the sun and get great sun tans. She just looks at them and thinks to herself, “Fry…you homewreckers!” The line gets a good laugh.
Then, later in her act, she said that she had hired a masseuse to come and give her husband a massage. The doorbell rings and she answers the door to meet a gorgeous 18 year old masseuse. “Hi I’m here to give your husband a massage.” “I’m sorry, he’s dead.” (pause) “Why don’t you go get some sun.” My recollection and paraphrasing of the lines doesn’t do justice to her writing and delivery talent. But I hope you get a feel for the impact of bringing back a former funny line. Catch her act if you can. She is currently playing at Harrah’s Las Vegas, or catch her on video or on a cable TV special. It will be a study well worth your time. She is terrific.
The power of the call-back is also woven into a good improv comedy scene. It’s called reincorporation. Take something from earlier in the scene and revisit it later. In a recent improv show in Las Vegas one of the audience suggestions for a fireman’s snack was “squid”. The word squid came up two more times in the evening, reincorporation, and got a good laugh each time.
A good speech can often be made better by the active listening skills of the speaker. Before you rise to speak, pay attention to everything taking place before you are introduced: Awards, funny lines, other speeches, the decorations, etc. Look for opportunities to incorporate (revisit) your observations within the text of your talk. I normally open my talks with three or four pieces of observational humor before I go into the main body of my prepared remarks.
The power of reincorporation and call backs is amazing. Focus, tune in, and have the courage to give it a try. You’ll like the results.