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Conquer “Do something funny!!”: One-hit gags that fire up the office

At company drinking parties and the like, many new hires and younger employees have probably heard someone say, “Do something funny!!” A lot of people have likely panicked when suddenly put on the spot like that.

For those who’ve never done a one-shot gag before and those who want to overcome the dreaded “Do something!!” at the next party, this article introduces one-shot gags that will liven up company gatherings! To deliver a crowd-pleasing one-shot gag, your best bet is to imitate and perform the popular, classic gags of well-known comedians.

Use these famous, sure-fire gags to get the room pumped up!

Overcome the “Do something funny!!” moment! One-liner gags that hype up the office (11–20)

Ten-thousand-something yen

Toka-do Kita-san Price Five-Strike Special
Ten-thousand-something yen

He probably doesn’t mean it as a joke, but President Kita of Tōkado has become a hot topic for his distinctive turns of phrase.

There are plenty of times when you have to say prices—like splitting the bill or announcing the fee for a drinking party—so try saying it the way President Kita does at those moments! If you drop it casually, it’s sure to get a laugh.

Sesse-seiyaSeiya (of Shimofuri Myojo)

[Recommended by Yoshida-tachi Yūhei] Seiya of Shimofuri Myojo / 2099 Breakout Comedian AWARD ‘2017
Sesse-seiya Shimofuri Myojo Seiya

This is a gag by Seiya from the comedy duo Shimofuri Myojo, performed on the R-1 Grand Prix.

He throws karate punches to the snappy rhythm of “Se-se-Seiya!!”.

On top of that, by slipping in a “What the heck is that?” kind of anecdote between the moves, you’re sure to get laughs on the spot! Since you can prepare the material in advance, if someone suddenly calls on you, jump right in and perform it without missing a beat!

Take it easy.Yuriyan Retriever

Yuriyan to seniors disciplined over 'underground gigs': 'Take it easy, okay?'
Take it easy. Yuriyan Retriever

Yuriyan Retriever, who skyrocketed to fame after winning the Women Comedian No.

1 Contest THE W, has won over audiences with her fearless, go-at-her-own-pace style of comedy.

Among her gags, the one that’s especially well-known is “Ochitsuite iki ya~” (“Take it easy”/“Stay calm”).

Delivered in a deep voice with laid-back choreography, this gag is great because you can use it in almost any situation.

If someone makes a blunder, a joke falls flat, or you’re asked for your opinion, boldly dropping this line is sure to get a laugh!

Go ahead, please.Dachou Club

The classic routine by Dachou Club, “Go ahead, go ahead.” It’s a time-honored skit, but you just can’t help laughing at this tried-and-true bit! If you’re the type who’s the butt of the jokes, ask a close colleague to set you up for it.

It’s such a well-known gag that once one person starts, everyone around will jump in, so you can try it with confidence!

Heave-ho!Fusūya

[Nothing Too Much] With Foosuya × Real Account, they even did that bit! [Weekly Magazine]
Heave-ho! Fuusuuya

The comedy duo Fusuya is known for cramming more and more gags into their manzai routines, to the point where the material barely seems to progress! Their image is all about the gags.

And when it comes to their signature line after a gag, it’s “Yoisho!” After they rapid-fire a bunch of goofy, hard-to-understand jokes, if they hit that perfectly synchronized “Yoisho!” together, you can’t quite explain it, but it feels refreshingly funny! Try teaming up with a coworker and give it a shot!

Kyogen DialogueSuehirogarizu

[Official] SUEHIROGARIZU Manzai “3-Minute Cooking”
Kyogen Dialogue Suehirogarizu

The duo Suezougarizu, who made it to the finals of the 2019 M-1 Grand Prix, are gaining attention for their characters themed around kyogen (traditional comic theater).

The key is that, in addition to their manner of speaking, they swap in somewhat old-fashioned words.

It’s a sure way to get laughs at the moments where people think, “You say it like that!?” If you suddenly start talking like Suezougarizu in the middle of a drinking party, you’ll probably get a laugh! It’s a good idea to watch a few of their routines in advance and memorize some of their amusing turns of phrase.

Over-exaggerated impersonationHollywood Zakoshisyoh

Hollywood Zakoshisyoh’s 30 Rapid-Fire Impressions SEASON 11-1 Highlights
Over-exaggerated impersonation Harukichi Zakoshi (Hollywood Zakoshisho)

When it comes to impressions, the standard is to recreate a person’s traits in an exaggerated way.

The impressions performed by Hollywood Zakoshisho focus on that “exaggeration,” recreating people with such large movements that you can hardly tell who it’s supposed to be.

Start with a normal impression and then switch to an over-the-top, exaggerated version to get laughs from the contrast.

Think of movements that are bigger than the original, and speech that hits the sounds with force, focusing only on the rhythm.

If you only do the exaggerated version, it becomes unclear what you’re doing, so be sure to structure it in a way that compares it with the original source.

What do you do? (literally: What kind of work do you do?)Mr. Shachihoko

Mr. Shachihoko performs a medley of impressions, making Yoshioka overjoyed! From Akiko Wada...
What do you do? (literally: What kind of work do you do?), Mr. Shachihoko

Impressionist Mr.

Shachihoko skyrocketed to fame with his impersonation of Akiko Wada, becoming an overnight sensation.

One of the lines he often uses when doing his Akiko Wada impression is, “And you, what is it that you do?” It’s a phrase that’s easy to use in everyday conversation, so try saying it while keeping Akiko Wada’s speaking style in mind!

self-introduction gagTaizō Harada

This catchphrase from Neptune’s Taizo Harada’s self-introduction is probably familiar to just about everyone, isn’t it? Jokes like these are handy because you can tweak the lines to match your own charm points or name.

Just be sure to deliver it loudly and confidently—if you’re shy, people might not catch the reference.

So go all in and present it with as much energy as Taizo himself!

Say something positive in an overly slow tone.Timon-Di Takagishi

Comedy slapstick rough play “Timon-D” — Large-Screen Version
Say something positive in an overly slow tone. Timondi Takagishi

The comedy duo Timondi has been appearing on TV more and more.

Speaking of Takagishi, the boke of the duo, his unique slow cadence and relentlessly positive remarks have made his character popular.

If you imitate his style of delivering laughs without hurting anyone, everyone should be able to enjoy a good laugh! Just respond to any setup with an overly positive line in an extra-slow tone and you’ll nail it.

This is especially helpful for new employees who may find it hard to get laughs by teasing someone at company drinking parties, so give it a try!