Bob Mankoff: Anatomy of a New Yorker cartoon

The New Yorker receives around 1,000 cartoons each week; it only publishes about 17 of them. In this hilarious, fast-paced, and insightful talk, the magazine's longstanding cartoon editor and self-proclaimed "humor analyst" Bob Mankoff dissects the comedy within just some of the "idea drawings" featured in the magazine, explaining what works, what doesn't, and why.

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[OniontearsTNG]

One of the best demonstrations of proper power point use I've ever seen.

[Superstarfruit]

I loved that they cut to people who were thoroughly enjoying his presentation to the point of bliss. Most humorists only know how to get a reaction by being offensive - these artists are actually making brainy humor and it's a relief for people, you can see that in their faces.

[jimpinney]

I hope I can remember this video the next time somebody says " humor cannot be explained" VERY GOOD VIDEO!!

[benoitschwob]

Years ago, this vid has been one of the first TED talks I saw. Since then, watching TED talks online has become an regular occupation for me... :-)

[danbark]

the lassie, the witch and the stop and think ones killed me

my god this was an amazing video

[ClipsByMiles]

What a great presentation and insight into the thinking involved with humour. Very entertaining and thought provoking.

[greimalkin]

"how about never" is one of my favorite cartoons, now I know who made it

Someecards ripped it off recently, I shoulda called them out on it.

[BarbaraLoraine]

Loved this. Great explanation of what humors us, the effect of context, and the reason for rejection (which helps).

[VelMa-opinion]

The guy who wished for him to drop dead did actually sign his comment: _Cordially, ..._

[Arnogorter]

That was a great talk! i could listen to this guy for hours!

[yerazp]

STOP
and
THINK




sortof makes you stop and think doesn't it

[tinywombat]

Long but well worth it. Very funny. Really directed to people who like New Yorker cartoons.

[maryanncarcich]

I miss you as cartoon editor of the New Yorker, Mr Mankoff. Great Ted talk.

[WheresWaldoProd]

It wasn't about the jokes, it was relaying and explaining how some humor works; why we laugh.

[gatitauk]

This legit brightened up my day, I'm glad it wasn't on proper ted or he wouldv had to skip past so much of his material

[BaxterLuigi]

The audience doesn't seem fake to me, just much, much smaller and more intimate than the other TED talks. Seems a waste of time to judge the audience, though, doesn't it? I enjoyed Bob Mankoff, would love to see everything he sees in a day!

[matthewwilliams]

Thiis was funny but also showed how humid can be used to connect with people. Also the lemming one was hilarious.

[forgetmenot]

As a vegetarian, I simply had to stop and take a screenshot of the cartoon at 17:34. Brilliant!

[VertigaDesignMEDIA]

The audience is there so we can observe ourselves.

[lebasson]

I agree. But that's probably explained by that person he quoted (forgot the name): talking about humor is like dissecting a frog: nobody cares and in the end the frog dies. I wouldn't say laughing was the point here. I actually enjoyed the analysis of what they look for when selecting a cartoon.