Jokes

[DannyT]

Stealing Jokes

Hey guys,
I just have a quick question. I love seeing magic performances on stage and I need to ask if it's okay to use the same jokes/gags as some guys do in their show when first starting out?
I hate the thought of stealing someone elses material for jokes, routines, patter, etc, but is this okay if you're just venturing into a new field?
Thanks.

 

[D ICE R]

I believe it is ok to take jokes gags and things of that nature as long as it is within reason.

Many times I have used the Derren line of out lout please I am not a fn mind reader and it always gets a good laugh. However that pretty much the only thing that I have stole from him. (A bit is inspired) On the whole I am doing what exactly I want to do. However it is wrong to steal the whole show of someone, or even the whole presentation of an effect from a person.

I remember seeing a video on here of someone performing Blueprint by CK whilst it got good reactions and was perfrom from a technical stand point very well. The theatrical presentation well was quite lacking. It was an exact copy of the presentation that CK used in the demo video.

 

[RickEverhart]

Hey Danny,
I too have wondered this same question because I have seen some hilarious visual gags / one liners that I would love to use but I feel like I am stealing someone's material so i can't say that I have. It is probably more of an ethical thing. I'm sure if you did nobody is going to haul you off to jail but I'm sure there are mixed feelings on this topic.

Rev

 

[chriswiehl]

lots of people take lines they enjoy.
even gazzo takes some lines from other people. hes a pro.
and a king of jokes
but he takes jokes from mullica and other magicians.
im sure u can use the jokes, and in time you'll brain will click and you'll be like oh, thats a good line i just made up. then boom

 

[RickEverhart]

Chris makes a good point that eventually when put in enough various situations, funny one liners will come to you and then you will just add them to your routines.
Any time I react to a live situation and people laugh or I say something and it is hilarious....I make a mental note after the show to keep that sucker.