Do you have a relative who is "Mr. Long Joke?" It's usually an uncle or grandfather who takes forever to tell a "funny" story. The…
Mark ShatzJanuary 11, 2026
Three may be an odd number in math, but its da-da-Ta-da-da-Ta-da-da-Ta cadence makes it the most important number in comedy. Humorists and comedians have relied…
Mark ShatzJanuary 9, 2026
I have an AARP card, so I’m banned from Snapchat, TikTok, and most social media – the exception is Facebook. Yet, age discrimination doesn’t prevent…
Mark ShatzJanuary 9, 2026
A professor is one who talks in someone else’s sleep. —W. Auden A teacher’s task is to educate, not entertain. And it’s certainly not an…
Mark ShatzJanuary 7, 2026
As writers, we play various roles – author, editor, and number one critic. And the solitary act of writing works fine for most genres, except…
Mark ShatzJanuary 7, 2026
In my parental hall of rage, one person towered above all others. He took my money, time, and gave back almost nothing. And I know…
Mark ShatzJanuary 6, 2026
I was a parental ATM. Now that my son is college-bound, I’ve expanded into a full-service financial institution. During the golden parenting years, pre-puberty, it’s…
Mark ShatzJanuary 4, 2026
I frequently teach writers how to think and write funny at conferences, such as the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop and the Writer’s Digest Annual Conference.…
Mark ShatzJanuary 3, 2026
Most email ends with a sender's signature that includes name, job title, contact information, and an organizational logo. Often, the signature contains an inspirational or…
Mark ShatzJanuary 1, 2026
Humor can reduce test anxiety. As described in previous posts, humor in examinations may include using culture references in application-based questions, adding a funny choice…
Mark ShatzJanuary 1, 2026