Last night was my first tv comedy writing class. At the end of a Monday night, the last thing you want to do is throw witty quips and punch lines. I was still exhausted and recovering from the weekend. I started to get nervous. My teacher was a writer for SNL and what if he thought I was a total douchebag? I mean, by enrolling in a comedy class, one must assume that they are inherently funny. What if you are only funny at 2 A.M. on a Saturday? And that’s only because you are so drunk that you mistake a wall for a bathroom door?

So I showed up to class and we had to go around the room and name our favorite comedy show. EVERYONE said The Office or Daily Show. When it was my turn, I said, “Golden Girls.”

Instructor: Golden Girls? Really?
Jinius: I love Golden Girls.

(Note to self: When attending your first comedy writing class perhaps it is not a good idea to mention your love for a sitcom about septegenerians to a group of complete strangers. Especially strangers who are into comedy.)

Then our instructor taught us how to set up a comedic monolouge and deconstructed the structure of a punchline. I didn’t realize comedy was so formulaic. No wonder there are so many bad sitcoms out there. Our first assignment is to write a comedy monolouge that would appear on a show like David Letterman or Conan. This will be hard since I’m never up late enough to even watch Letterman or Conan. But I guess I can improvise.

But the class is really cool. I mean, we spend three hours just laughing and telling jokes. How can that not be fun? And for the first time I’m actually speaking up in class and participating. Usually I’m the quiet girl doodling in her notebook but the teacher seemed so chill and encouraging that I felt comfortable offering suggestions. Even if they were received by the sound of silence and uncomfortable coughing.

Our teacher also said that we should feel free to bring food and wine to class. This could either be very fun or potentially embarrassing. Remind me not to say “holla” or “FU A-hole” in class.

And when our session ends we’re allowed to invite friends for a showcase of our work! So I’ll give you deets when the time comes.

On another note, you know how they say “time heals all wounds”? Well, so does laughter. I highly recommend taking any sort of writing class to get your aggression out. And you can use your exes as targets in jokes. Heh. Just kidding. Sorta.