The secret "Yes, and... " trick... again! Yep, because you, housebound family, need it now!

Amy Poehler

Note to reader: This blog post is four-years -old and I could never imagine that today, we would be held prisoner in our own homes by some stupid scary coronaVirus. No fair!

But I thought you needed this.

When you get tired of coloring on your driveway with chalk or cooking something so exotic that doesn't measure up, what do you do? Admittedly, even a 1,000 piece puzzle eventually gets done--except for that last damn piece the dog ate.

After you've watched all the television you can stand and all games have been played, there is one, yes one, novel idea that could inspire all and maybe uncover a hidden talent in one or more youngsters and/or immature adults to unbalance them just enough to want to be a stand-up comedian, the poor souls.

So here's the game I call "Yes, and... " which I wrote about half-a-wise-guy's age ago. That's why you see Amy Poehler's picture which goes with the post. Hopefully, this sounds like a great idea for your group unless, sadly, you are missing a sense of humor or can't handle being laughed at.

Only one rule: You have to be a little crazy stupid or you can't play. Read on and give it a try at the supper table or when the television is off and the phones are shut down and everyone is looking bored and about ready to fall asleep.

It's then that you stand up, get everyone's attention and say: "Did you hear the hippopotamus at the zoo had a baby elephant?"

And someone says, "Yes and it looked just like the father."

And another says, "Yes and you should have seen the size of the cigars the father gave out."

And then, "Yes and when the doctor smacked the baby to get it to start breathing, she broke her wrist."

And the, "Yes and she can't pick her nose now." ... or something equally stupid to get a laugh.

Got the idea? Then GO!

See?

Don't you wonder where so many of our favorite comedians "cut their chops?" 

(Say Yes, and... )

Have you ever seen any of the improv comedy shows? That's where Amy Poehler and Tina Fey started... oh, and John Belushi and Steve Carell and Will Farrell and Seth Rogen and the incredibly talented Canadian group from SCTV who brought us "Waiting for Guffman" and "Best of Show" as well as Monty Python and a good number from improv theaters around the country who became SNL cast members... and on and on.

Tim Conway

How did Robin Williams and Tim Conway and Johnathan Winters learn to make people laugh? Ok, so it's talent... I'll give you that. Oh, and a rich sense of humor... oh, and timing and imagination and on and on... but I mean, how did they practice their trade when they didn't know all the secrets?

That's where improvisation comes in. The good ones are quick on their feet and ready to be ridiculous at the drop of a hat. And here's one of their secrets--a four-lane expressway to the next best line:

It's referred to as the "Yes, and..." trick, never to be confused with "Yes, but... "

"Yes, and... " continues a thought, no matter how ridiculous, with an addition to that line of thinking but even more ridiculous. Someone starts:

"I had an aunt who thought she was a chicken... " 

Then you say "Yes, and she had drumsticks to die for."

And he/she says "Yes and did you see those silly little claw-like shoes she had on?"

And you say, "Yes, and they were the talk of the San Francisco Fricase-Fried Chicken Festival in February."

"Yes and she was especially popular around Easter... for the eggs."

Etc., etc.        


Get the idea? It's Yes and... until you have told the story for laughs or gotten booed off the stage... Yes and if you're new to the concept, you will be booed off the stage. But you get the idea.

Oh, there's lots more to comedy of course, but this shows how to keep a story going... and it works at cocktail parties too, though it comes with inherent dangers. Says one who knows, "You find yourself in a place where you're, like, how did I get here?" But nonetheless, it is a positive transition to whatever happens next. It could even lead to the next improve technique, "If, then..." and next thing you know, you are on SNL...  or the life of the party, or people avoid you like the plague.

Yes, and there is an improv school for you if you really care. Comedian Amy Poehler was one of four who founded the Upright Citizens Brigade, a New York 'cultural reach' for comedy where you can take lessons until you are good or run out of money, whichever comes first. An alum of the process said it is especially good if "you want to take the slow train to crazytown."

Yes, and the process is proving so helpful in boosting self confidence that it is sought by business men and women. Being comfortable in any communicative process is greatly enhanced by the confidence that is built over knowing you can always 'Yes, and...' Such confidence, those 'Yes, and' folks say has a holistic side for maximum feel good benefit.

All that is all especially complimentary if you are a comedian who's fortune is built on the next funny line. It's what you do if you choose to "be in the club." It's hard not to appreciate the many who make us laugh. And doesn't the world need more of that?

Yes, and... wait til you see my next exciting blog post.