Yeah, there is a bit of a formula, but it’s not a magic recipe. Most laughs come from surprise—something we expect to go one way, then flips on a second. That incongruity lights a fire in our brains, and the relief when we resolve the oddness triggers dopamine. Timing, delivery, and the audience’s context are the extra ingredients. So it’s science, but no one has a perfect equation; it’s a mix of psychology, timing, and a dash of human curiosity.

Glad you found the science useful. Just remember the audience isn’t a machine, so keep the “oops” purposeful but not forced. Timing’s great, but too much precision kills the spontaneity that actually makes people laugh. Play it like a movie set, but leave some room for real human reaction. Good luck onstage.