#485: Jerry Seinfeld — A Comedy Legend’s Systems, Routines, and Methods for Success

517 snips

Dec 8, 2020

In this engaging discussion, comedic legend Jerry Seinfeld shares his insights on the art and process of stand-up comedy. He reveals his disciplined writing routines and how personal experiences fuel his creativity. Seinfeld emphasizes the importance of structured systems for productivity, illustrating how routines can combat emotional challenges in the creative process. With reflections on resilience and the evolution of his career, he offers a fascinating look into the life of a successful comedian and the balance of creativity and performance.

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ANECDOTE

Early Comedy Influence

Jerry Seinfeld was deeply drawn to comedy from a young age, devouring any related material.
He misinterpreted a satirical Esquire article about a comedy school as genuine, highlighting his eagerness to learn.

ADVICE

Seinfeld's Writing Routine

Establish a dedicated writing session every day.
Don't pressure yourself to write, but eliminate all other distractions during this time.

INSIGHT

Writing is Rewriting

Seinfeld's writing process involves refining existing material and generating new ideas from random observations.
He likens developing a joke to archery, aiming to connect his perception of humor with the audience's.

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The Last Laugh

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Jim Shockey

This book is not known to me.

Seriously Funny

Peter Biskind

Body for Life

Bill Phillips

In 'Body for Life,' Bill Phillips guides readers through a 12-week program designed to transform their bodies and lives. The program includes specific exercise routines such as weight training and high-intensity cardio, as well as a nutrition plan that involves eating six small meals a day, primarily consisting of lean protein and healthy carbs. The program also incorporates a 'free day' each week where participants can eat whatever they want. Phillips emphasizes the 'Power Mindset' and the 'High-Point Technique' to help individuals tap into endless energy and make continual progress. The book aims to help readers lose fat, increase strength, and gain control over their bodies and lives without drastically altering their daily routines.

Why We Sleep

Matthew Walker

This book delves into the purpose and power of sleep, explaining how it affects every aspect of our physical and mental well-being. Walker discusses how sleep enriches our ability to learn, memorize, and make logical decisions, recalibrates our emotions, restocks our immune system, fine-tunes our metabolism, and regulates our appetite. He also explores the consequences of sleep deprivation and provides actionable steps to improve sleep quality, including ways to prevent cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes, slow the effects of aging, and increase longevity.

Is This Anything?

Jerry Seinfeld

This book is a comprehensive archive of Jerry Seinfeld's comedic material, compiled from his 45-year career. It includes his favorite jokes and routines, organized decade by decade, providing insights into the art of writing stand-up comedy. The book offers a unique perspective on Seinfeld's growth as a comedian, from his early days at 'Catch a Rising Star' to his later years as a renowned figure in comedy. It features a 'trove of laugh-out-loud one-liners' and autobiographical details that highlight Seinfeld's wit and observational humor[2][3][5].

In the Heart of the Sea

The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex

Nathaniel Philbrick

In 'In the Heart of the Sea,' Nathaniel Philbrick recounts the tragic story of the whaleship Essex, which was rammed and sunk by an angry sperm whale in the South Pacific in 1820. The book details the crew's desperate struggle to survive in three small whaleboats, facing extreme conditions such as starvation, dehydration, and cannibalism. Philbrick uses accounts from the ship's crew, including those of first mate Owen Chase and cabin boy Thomas Nickerson, to provide a detailed and gripping narrative. The book also explores the broader context of Nantucket's whaling community and the impact of the Essex tragedy on American literature, notably inspiring Herman Melville's 'Moby Dick.'