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The Roasted One-liner
Frank Andreen makes no claim to being a well-seasoned stand-up comedian—most of his life has been spent in ministry, not in comedy clubs. But while preparing Bible studies and sermons, he discovered the surprising power of a well-placed one-liner. He wanted to sprinkle a little humor into his messages, even though he never thought of himself as particularly funny. Over time, he learned that you don’t need a flashy personality or a wild stage presence to get laughs—if the jokes are good, they’ll do the work for you. Frank’s clean, self-deprecating humor brings plenty of laughs without crossing any lines, making his act a great fit for just about any audience—from family gatherings and church events to professional settings.
Though Frank can’t claim—like many well-established comedians—to have years of stage experience or a catalog of live performance videos, he has been assured by other comedians that his jokes are, in fact, funny. His sweet spot is self-deprecating humor, often centered on gentle roasts where he’s the one getting insulted. Most of Frank’s jokes revolve around the people who know him best—his wife, kids, counselor, doctor, and coworkers—all of whom do their part to keep him humble. He may think he’s a big deal, but thankfully, everyone around him knows better.
"I told some of these jokes to my wife, but she didn't laugh. I said, 'Maybe I should put more fire in my jokes.' She replied, 'Maybe you should put more of your jokes in the fire.'"
"I told my wife, 'I don’t mean to brag, but I can still fit into my wedding clothes.' She said, 'Good, we'll bury you in them.'"
"You wouldn't know it by looking at me, but I used to have issues. So when my counselor texted me the good news that I am now cured, I responded with a thumbs up emoji. But I accidentally sent the middle finger instead."
What Are One-liners?
One-liners are concise jokes delivered in a single sentence, designed to get straight to the punchline without a long setup. They're quick, witty, and often packed with clever wordplay, double meanings, unexpected twists, or sharp observations about everyday life. Because of their brevity, one-liners offer more jokes—and if they're working, more laughs—per minute than traditional story-based comedy. These quick hits are often featured in popular comedy clips, showcasing the talent of the entertainer delivering them.
Here are a few classic examples:
“I know I'm ugly. When the dog found out we look alike, he killed himself.” — Rodney Dangerfield
“I woke up and found everything in my house was stolen—and replaced with exact copies.” — Steven Wright
“A man goes to a psychiatrist. The doctor says, ‘You're crazy.’ The man says, ‘I want a second opinion!’ The doctor says, ‘Okay, you're ugly too!’” — Henny Youngman
At its best, one-liner comedy brings people together through quick, shared bursts of laughter—no explanation required—making it a staple in the world of funny performances.
What Exactly is "Clean" Humor?
Clean comedy doesn't mean watered-down or dull—it simply means everyone in the family can enjoy it without squirming in their seats. There's no need for crude language or shock value to get a laugh. In fact, some of the greatest comedy legends—like Bob Hope, Jack Benny, and Lucille Ball—built timeless routines on clever writing, sharp timing, and universal humor. Clean comedy can still have layers—witty references that adults might catch while flying right over the kids' heads—but it never crosses the line into discomfort. It’s smart, inclusive, and just plain funny.
"Growing up, if I cussed I got my mouth washed out with soap. It's really hard to say dirty words with playful happy bubbles coming out of your mouth."
"If I cussed, my parents beat the tar out of me. I cried so loud that our neighbor was afraid to cuss -
and he was a sailor!"