Comedy in the Age of TikTok: Ray Matsen on Writing for Stage, Screen & Socials
As the Melbourne International Comedy Festival rolls into town, comedy writers and performers are buzzing with inspiration. But what does it take to craft comedy that actually lands in 2025 - and cuts through the scroll-storm of modern media?
We sat down with veteran comedy writer and performer Ray Matsen, whose new course, The Comedy Blueprint: Writing & Performing Across Stage & Screen, launches this April at Howard Fine Acting Studio.
Matsen has written for some of Australia’s most iconic comedy platforms - from Rove Live to Channel 31 sketch shows - and now he’s turning his decades of experience into a practical, hands-on course designed for today’s multi-platform creators.
“Sketch Shows Are Gone, But Comedy Isn’t”
Reflecting on the industry shift, Matsen doesn’t mince words.
“Sketch shows on TV? They’ve basically disappeared,” he says. “That used to be the entry point. Now, everyone’s doing their own sketches on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram. It’s a whole new landscape.”
But for aspiring comedians, this isn't bad news, just different. “There are so many ways to get your work seen now. But it means you’ve got to do more. More content. More often. And it’s got to be good.”
That’s where The Comedy Blueprint comes in.
Breaking Through the Noise
“The only way to break through now is persistence,” Matsen tells us. “You’ve got to treat it like a job. Put stuff out every day. Or every week. Just make it regular.”
And while the content landscape is saturated, he sees that as an opportunity. “There’s a lot of average stuff out there. So if what you’re doing is genuinely funny, it will rise to the top.”
Still, he acknowledges it’s a tough grind, especially for comedians trying to find their voice. Which is why he’s placing a big emphasis on one key element: character.
Character Is King
“When you look at great comedy, it’s almost always character-driven,” Matsen says. “You think about George Costanza, Rodney Dangerfield, Fleabag, even characters on TikTok - they’ve all got a clear point of view. They’re consistent. They’re flawed. And they’re funny.”
In The Comedy Blueprint, students will learn how to build those kinds of characters, and then apply them across formats: stand-up, sketch, narrative TV, and digital content.
“Most great comedy characters only have one or two strong traits. The klutz. The know-it-all. The loveable loser. That simplicity makes them memorable - and really useful across different platforms.”
Writing Across Stage, Screen & Socials
So how does writing for TikTok compare to writing for a TV monologue or a live sketch?
“They’re all comedy,” Matsen says, “but the process is different. On Rove, we’d write and rewrite until 2AM the night before. You’ve got no room for error - the jokes have to land.”
“Whereas stand-up is a longer game. You test a joke. It flops. You tweak it. You run it again. You might get a minute of great material out of a month’s worth of gigs.”
He adds that The Comedy Blueprint will cover both paths, from writing monologues and jokes for scripted formats to testing ideas live and developing character-driven content for social media.
New Frontiers: From Podcast Improv to Animated Sketches
The course won’t just stick to the classics. Matsen’s keeping it current, from improvised podcasts to TikTok-native animation.
“There’s an explosion in animated comedy right now. People like Millie Holten are killing it with handmade, character-driven work. And you don’t need to be a brilliant artist. You just need a strong concept.”
Ray even shares that some Melbourne-based animators he knows are now working with Saturday Night Live. “It’s incredible what’s possible now if you’re creating smart, funny content.”
Don’t Be Perfect. Just Start.
One of the most valuable takeaways from our chat? Don’t wait to be perfect. Just write. And rewrite.
“You can’t write a perfect gag on the first go,” Matsen says. “Comedy is quantity first, and then you shape the quality. Especially if you're aiming to do it professionally, you've got to get used to cutting, editing, and rewriting your own work.”
And above all? Keep learning.
“Watch comedy. Live, on TV, in film, online. See what works. Try it yourself. Then keep going.”
Ready to Write Comedy That Works Across Platforms?
Join Ray Matsen this April at Howard Fine Acting Studio for
The Comedy Blueprint: Writing & Performing Across Stage & Screen
Starts April 29 at the Howard Fine Acting Studio ( 7 Cozens Street, Brunswick)
Learn how to write, perform, and polish comedy for stage, screen, and social media, with real-world tips, hands-on writing, and feedback from one of Australia’s most seasoned comedy voices.
