The Gist Jay Jurden: High Profundities Per Minute
Dec 19, 2025
Stand-up comedian Jay Jurden, known for his special Yes Ma'am, shares how nine years of theater training has become his comedic superpower. He discusses the craft of punchlines as dialogue and the necessity of physical specificity in comedy. Growing up in Canton, Mississippi, he reflects on the town's film history and his college experiences at Ole Miss. Jay delivers a humorous college football analogy, urging comedians to focus on well-crafted material rather than viral crowd work, emphasizing depth and complexity in his jokes.
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Growing Up In Canton, Mississippi
- Jay Jurden recalls growing up in Canton, Mississippi, where film crews shot movies like A Time to Kill around town.
- He describes segregated sides of town and learning about slavery early, which shaped his view of Mississippi's history.
Physicality As A Stand-Up Superpower
- Jay treats movement and physicality as a stand-up superpower because of his nine years of theater training.
- He times and choreographs act-outs so the physical gag adds information beyond the line of dialogue.
Perform Jokes Like Fresh Dialogue
- Treat jokes like lines of dialogue and perform them as if they're being spoken for the first time.
- Keep delivery lively so audiences feel the moment is fresh and worth their attention.