8 hook templates for comedy creators.

Comedy has no safety net on short-form: if the first line isn't funny or at least weird, the sketch never gets a second line. These hooks set up a premise with one specific, uncomfortable detail so the viewer needs to know where it goes.

1. 01Hyper-specific-povPattern interrupt
   POV: you're [HYPER-SPECIFIC CHARACTER] and [ABSURDLY SPECIFIC SITUATION] just happened.Copy pattern
   Example
   POV: you're the one friend who's 'good with money' and the group chat just asked how to split a $412 bill seven ways with two people who left early.Copy
   Pattern-interrupt for relatable-character sketches; the specificity of the dollar amount is the joke.
2. 02Instead-of-therapyConfession
   I [DID EMBARRASSING THING] in front of [AUDIENCE] and I've decided to tell you about it instead of going to therapy.Copy pattern
   Example
   I called my boss 'mom' on a Zoom with 40 people and I've decided to tell you about it instead of going to therapy.Copy
   Confession hook for storytime comedy; the self-aware tag line does the work.
3. 03Third-typeListicle
   There are three types of [GROUP] at [EVENT] and the third one is why I wasn't invited back.Copy pattern
   Example
   There are three types of people at a baby shower and the third one is why I wasn't invited back.Copy
   Listicle hook for character sketches; the third type being you is the structure.
4. 04This-is-about-youDirect
   If you [OVERLY SPECIFIC HABIT], this is about you and you know it.Copy pattern
   Example
   If you say 'no worries if not' and then lie awake at 2am because they said not, this is about you and you know it.Copy
   Direct hook for audience-callout content; the more specific the habit, the more people tag their friends.
5. 05Legally-requiredAuthority
   As a [MOCK CREDENTIAL], I'm legally required to tell you [ABSURD RULE].Copy pattern
   Example
   As someone who has been a bridesmaid four times, I'm legally required to tell you the dress is never going to be something you can wear again.Copy
   Authority-parody hook; the fake credential sets the tone before the joke lands.
6. 06Asking-for-meQuestion
   Why does [NORMAL THING] feel like [ABSURD COMPARISON]? Asking for [SPECIFIC PERSON].Copy pattern
   Example
   Why does leaving a group chat feel like filing for divorce in front of the whole village? Asking for me, it's me.Copy
   Question hook for observational bits; works when the comparison is funnier than the answer.
7. 07EscalationStory
   So my [PERSON] [DID SMALL THING] and now [WILDLY ESCALATED CONSEQUENCE].Copy pattern
   Example
   So my dentist said 'hm' and now I've mentally planned my own funeral and picked the playlist.Copy
   Story hook for anxiety-escalation bits; the gap between the small thing and the consequence is the joke.
8. 08Tired-of-pretendingContrarian
   [UNIVERSALLY LOVED THING] is just [DEFLATING DESCRIPTION] and I'm tired of pretending it isn't.Copy pattern
   Example
   Brunch is just breakfast with a cover charge and I'm tired of pretending it isn't.Copy
   Contrarian hook for rant content; pick something beloved enough that the comments fight for you.

Want hooks generated in your own voice?

Templates are great. Templates customized to your channel's actual winners and your real cadence are better. ViralAri reads your last 30 posts, finds the patterns that work for your audience, and generates hooks in your voice — scored against your own baseline.