Monte Franklin on Joke Structure, Confidence, and Reading Any Room
Become funnier, faster: the joke framework you can practice tonight.
I just sat down with Monty Franklin.
Twenty-year Australian stand-up; toured globally; appeared on Rob Schneider’s TV show; currently on tour.
In this episode you’ll learn
Write jokes with setup→angle→misdirection→punch→tag; hit laughs every 10–15 seconds (18:52).
Use the 5+5+5 path to find your voice faster (05:23).
Read any room and engineer connection - lighting, seating, energy, confident vulnerability (38:46).
We dive into the details later in the conversation.
Timestamps
00:00 Intro
02:48 Vulnerability in comedy
05:23 Finding your voice (the 5+5+5 model)
07:59 The flow of comedy
10:50 Confidence through experience
13:23 Life experiences fuel material
16:19 Improv vs stand-up
18:52 Anatomy of a joke and cadence
28:54 Evolving joke structure
38:46 Reading the room
45:38 Being Australian in America
54:31 Burn the safety net
56:43 Opportunities in the arts
59:56 Personal growth through change
1:03:11 Confidence and self-acceptance
1:06:49 Living in the moment
1:10:40 Cultural generosity
1:14:07 Purpose and philosophy
1:17:35 Embracing change and adventure
1:21:16 Finding happiness in uncertainty
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