Let's define-what is a joke? Simply anything that makes people(audience) laugh. It can be merely a word, a smirk, a raise of the eyebrows or even a momentary silent pause. As long as it gets a smile or a chuckle or a guffaw from the audience. Which means a joke or comedy needs the audience to decide or judge whether it is funny or not. The keyword is audience response.

An audience is a prime importance in humor. Its participation which ultimately decide whether it is a joke or otherwise. There is no humor until the audience confirm it with laughter. So humor is a partnership. Humorist and the audience. So that's why many comics like to include them in their acts. A humorist must treat the audience as a participant because it is the audience that are going to reward the humorist with laugher.

Next important point is to know what is funny to them because they are the decision makers of your jokes. For a joke to works the audience have to know what you are talking about. Do a in-depth research of your audience. Find out what tickles their funny bones and what offends them as well.

The bottom line is a humorist must be involved with the audience. And that's no joke!