Public Speaking Course:
Bloopers
Bloopers are funny mistakes that people make in public, like falling down in
front of people. The television show 'TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes' and
other shows like it are good indicators of how much we love watching people make
fools of themselves. When you make a mistake during your presentation, instead
of panicking, acknowledge it and make fun of yourself or the mistake instead of
freaking out.
Here are two funny ones from "All Time Great Bloopers" by Blooper
Snooper Kermit Schafer and one from 'More Press Boners' by Earle Tempel, and how
you might learn from them to incorporate into what you learned from your public
speaking course.
From The San Leandro, CA News: I saw a notice in the newspaper the other day
that said, "Industrial Boulevard is empty because it is a road to nowhere.
Work is underway to extend it." If we keep developing the obsolete widget.
We will be on the road to nowhere too.
A while back I heard about a DJ on WIOD in Miami, Florida who said,
"This is Alan Courtney speaking. Don't forget, tonight at nine, our special
guest . . . (pause) . . .will be . . . I forgot." "Well, I haven't
forgotten why we are here today . . . " or (For an introducer) "I
couldn't possibly forget who is here with us today."
Mayor Daley of Chicago was being interviewed on TV following the riots during
the Democratic convention. The mayor stated, "The police in Chicago are not
here to create disorder, they are here to preserve it." I hope I don't
create, or preserve, any disorder in my presentation today. Likely if the mayor
had gone to my public speaking course, he would have avoided that embarrassing
situation.
When you make a mistake, think quickly on your feet and recover with humor.
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