Buzz
Plus, unlock your comedic potential with our guide to crafting unforgettable bits
You’ve probably heard someone say, “They’re all in on the bit,” but what does that truly mean? In comedy, ‘committing to the bit’ is about fully pursuing a joke or concept, regardless of how strange or outlandish it becomes. In real life, this might look like friends playfully debating over a totally made-up subject or engaging in an ironically enthusiastic activity that turns into genuine fun. In this article, we’ll break down the concept of ‘committing to the bit’ in detail (with plenty of real-world examples), plus explore the different types of bits you can try with your friends to create inside jokes that last a lifetime.
What does ‘committing to the bit’ really mean?
To ‘commit to the bit’ is to carry a joke or idea as far as it can go, no matter how ridiculous or inconvenient it may become. It often involves escalating playful back-and-forths between friends or performers, but can also refer to an absurd physical gesture that’s repeated or a behavior done ironically until it turns unexpectedly enjoyable.
Steps
What Does ‘Committing to the Bit’ Mean?
‘Committing to the bit’ means following a joke or concept all the way through to its logical (or illogical) conclusion. This typically involves exchanging a joke or idea with someone until you can’t take it any further, regardless of how bizarre or outlandish it becomes. It might involve quick-witted banter between friends, a unique comedic or theatrical performance idea, or even a long-running joke that’s repeated over time.
-
Example: You and a friend come up with a crazy idea to act like robots when you show up at a party later that night. You move stiffly, speak in monotones, and keep ‘recharging’ by stepping out of the room. While interacting, you continue inventing new facts, skills, and backstories for your robot personas. It’s absurd, but you’re fully invested in the joke.
-
You: “Beep boop, nice to scan your human face again, Sharon.”
Sharon: “You’re really committed to this robot bit, aren’t you?”
-
You: “Beep boop, nice to scan your human face again, Sharon.”
It can also mean doing something ironically until it becomes genuinely enjoyable. Among Gen Z and Millennials, it’s common to participate in something stereotypically “lame” or “cringey” with over-the-top enthusiasm. Although it may seem odd at first, by embracing the silliness or awkwardness of the activity, it becomes genuinely fun. In this way, ‘committing to the bit’ allows you to let loose, try something new, and have a laugh at something you might usually avoid.
-
Example: Suppose there’s a monster truck rally in town, and you’ve never attended one before, but decide to get tickets for fun. You buy t-shirts, novelty glasses, and pick a truck to cheer for. Once you’re there, you scream and cheer like lifelong fans. You end up having an awesome time because you truly “committed to the bit” and went all in on the excitement of something you wouldn’t normally enjoy.
-
You: “We went ALL in at that monster truck rally last night. It was surprisingly fun!”
Them: “Wow, you really committed to the bit, huh?”
-
You: “We went ALL in at that monster truck rally last night. It was surprisingly fun!”
What is a bit?
A ‘bit’ is a series of related jokes that give a funny twist to a simple idea or fact. Think of it as a humorous exaggeration of an everyday situation that spirals into a ridiculous or absurd concept. For example, imagine a friend complaining about the weight of their luggage. The challenge of carrying heavy luggage is something we all understand, but it becomes funny when the situation is exaggerated:
-
Friend: “Ugh, my suitcase is so heavy!”
You: “Well, that’s what happens when you pack 82 pairs of underwear for a 2-night trip.”
Friend: “It’s not just underwear! I’ve got to bring all my jewels in case I need to barter for more.”
You: “Ah yes, your emergency underwear jewels. Can’t travel anywhere without ‘em!” - In this example, the ‘bit’ is the running gag about your friend packing excessive underwear and jewels, turning a simple luggage complaint into a ludicrous idea about using underwear as currency.
Classic Example: ‘Who’s on First?’ In this iconic skit by Abbott and Costello, two friends get caught in a hilarious loop when trying to figure out which baseball player is on first base. The player’s name is Who, so when one asks, “Who’s on first?” the response is simply, “Who.” The absurdity of the question becomes the bit’s foundation. The comedy escalates as they continue to misunderstand each other:
-
Abbott: “Who is on first.”
Costello: “That’s what I want to know! Who’s on first?”
Abbott: “Who is on first!”
Costello: “I’m asking you! Who’s on first?”
Abbott: “Yes.” - In comedy, a bit extends beyond a single joke but isn’t long enough to fill an entire set or performance (though you could stretch the “Who’s on First?” concept across an entire show and it would still be considered ‘committing to the bit’!).
- Bits can be delivered by solo performers (like stand-up comedians) or in group settings with rapid-fire exchanges.
Types of Bits & Examples
Dialogue bits A bit often emerges naturally between two people. These types of bits are typically quick, clever, and like a verbal game. They usually start with a random statement, a mistaken phrase, or something in the environment that sparks a playful exchange (you’ve likely experienced this with your friends, or if you’re around comedians or actors, you’ve seen it happen often). For instance:
-
Person A: “Man, it’s boiling out here.”
Person B: “Yeah, good thing I had all my sweat glands removed.”
Person A: “Oh, you went to that renowned Miami doctor?”
Person B: “Yep, I haven’t sweated once! But I’m starting to feel pretty sick, actually.”
Repetitive physical bits Not all bits require words—sometimes, gestures or body movements can create a bit all on their own. For example, instead of calling your girlfriend “My Queen,” you could just bow to her every time she enters the room. Once it’s a fun gesture, repeating it transforms it into a bit you’re truly committing to.
- Occasionally, a repetitive physical bit can lose its comedic impact if it becomes more of a habit than a joke (which, itself, could also be funny in its own way).
How to Start Doing a Bit with Someone
Start with an absurd statement or idea to kick off the riffing. Choose something that’s loosely based in reality or something that just happened. For instance, if someone slams a door loudly, you might say, “What did that door do to her?” This takes a real moment (a door slamming) and turns it into a hilarious idea where the door becomes a sentient being that offended the person. It’s all about finding that funny twist in the ordinary.
- You can also begin with a strange-sounding word, a comment on something someone just said, a mispronunciation, or anything that sparks a comedic thought.
- The best bits often appear spontaneously without a fixed destination in mind, so don’t overthink what to say next.
- “Committing to the bit” means you’re fully embracing the idea, no matter how ridiculous it gets, so have fun with it!
Pay close attention to the response you get. If someone wants to join in on your bit, they’ll likely add to it with their own line or idea, building on your joke. For example, after asking, “What did that door do to her?” you might get a funny response like, “It leaked her social security number.”
- Listen carefully to their response and use it to inspire your next line. If they say, “It leaked her social security number,” you could take it further by commenting on how untrustworthy the door is or wondering how it even got that private info.
Continue the conversation by expanding on the original idea. The other person has given you some new details, so keep the bit going. Ask yourself, “If what they just said is true, what else could be true in this wacky world we’re creating?” This is similar to the “yes, and” rule in improv comedy—nothing anyone says is “wrong.” Accept it as fact and build from there.
-
You: “What did that door do to her?”
Them: “It leaked her social security number.”
You: “Oh my god, I told her to stop sharing that with every door she meets!”
Keep building until the joke either runs its course or someone breaks. Keep the back-and-forth going until the bit reaches its natural end. This could happen when someone runs out of ideas, gets distracted, or laughs so hard they can’t continue.
-
You: “What did that door do to her?”
Them: “It leaked her social security number.”
You: “Oh my god, I told her to stop sharing that with every door she meets!”
Them: “This is just like that time the sliding door at the lake house stole her identity.”
You: “She really needs to get a handle on this.” - What began as a remark about a door slamming has now turned into a ridiculous saga of a friend’s identity being repeatedly stolen by mischievous doors. It makes no sense, but that’s what makes it funny when you commit to the bit!
Bring the bit back later as an inside joke. The next time you hear a door slam, you might say, “Ah, looks like she got her identity stolen again!” Those who were there during the original bit will get a laugh, and keeping the joke alive in the future is just another way of committing to it. It’s a callback that keeps the fun going.
-
Some of the best comedic sketches in history were born from spontaneous improvisation between friends or during improv performances. If you're thinking about writing your own comedy, try improvising with your friends—it's a great way to generate funny and creative material!
