Stand-up comedy

Stand-up comedy is a fun art form. A comedian, called a stand-up comic, performs in front of people. Before social media, they would stand on a stage and tell funny and clever monologues. They might also add some physical acts to their shows.

These shows are planned and often include talking with the audience, called live crowd interaction (crowdwork). Stand-up comedy can have quick, funny lines called one-liners, funny stories, or observations about daily life. Sometimes, comics use props, music, impressions, funny voices, magic tricks, or even ventriloquism to make their shows better.

Comedians can perform in many places, such as comedy clubs, comedy festivals, bars, nightclubs, colleges, casino showrooms, or theaters. During the pandemic, many comics used video calls and social media to share their humor.

History

Main article: History of stand-up comedy

Stand-up comedy started as part of fun shows in the late 1800s. It came from places like vaudeville, stump-speech monologues in minstrel shows, dime museums, concert saloons, freak shows, variety shows, medicine shows, American burlesque, English music halls, circus clown antics, Chautauqua, and funny talks by people like Mark Twain.

One of the first stand-up comedians was Charles Farrar Browne, who performed under the name Artemus Ward. The word "stand-up" to describe this kind of comedy first appeared in a newspaper in 1911, talking about a performer named Nellie Perrier. Later, in 1917, another newspaper used the term when talking about a comedian named Finlay Dunn.

Genres

Main article: Comedic genres

Stand-up comedy has many different styles. Some common types include:

• Alternative Comedy also known as alt-comedy: A style that changes how jokes are told.
• Anecdotal comedy: Telling funny stories with some exaggeration.
• Character: Using a pretend persona or character to perform.
• Deadpan: Staying calm and serious while telling funny jokes. This is also called dry humor.
• Impressionist: Copying how famous people talk or act.
• Musical: Using funny songs or musical jokes.
• Observational: Talking about funny things that happen every day.
• Satire: Making jokes about people, groups, or ideas.
• Topical: Jokes about what is happening now or popular topics.
• Wordplay comedy: Using clever words and rhymes to entertain.
• Self-Deprecating comedy: Making funny jokes about yourself. This can make the comedian seem more real and likable. (see: Self-deprecation)

Stand up performances

In a typical stand-up show, the host or emcee gets the audience ready and introduces the other performers. This is followed by the opener, the feature, and then the headliner. Sometimes, the host also acts as the opener for smaller shows. Experienced comedians often get regular spots at comedy clubs, while others might perform at two or more places in one day.

Clubs and small venues often have open mic events. These can be booked ahead or taken by walk-ins. Comedians use open mics to practice their jokes or show off their skills to get a spot as an opener. Open mics are often for beginners but not all beginner shows are open mics. Some shows need performers to bring a certain number of paying guests to get stage time.

Besides regular comedy shows, festivals also feature new and rising comedians. Promoters and agents often look for new talent at these festivals.

Experienced comedians with a fan base might create a television special or a comedy album. These can be recorded during a tour or at a special show made just for recording. A TV special that first comes out on television, video on demand, or in movie theaters can later be released as an album on audio CD, LP record, or audio streaming. A "half-hour special" is usually between 20 and 35 minutes long, not counting commercial breaks, and an "hour-long special" is usually between 40 and 65 minutes long, also not counting commercial breaks.

Comedy set

Main article: Theories of humour

Routine

Stand-up comedians perform special shows called routines. These routines include jokes and little stories that fit together. Each routine ends with a final joke, called the "closer," that wraps everything up nicely.

Jokes often have two parts. They start with a question or statement, and then give a funny answer called a punchline. Comedians use different ways to make their jokes funnier, like timing, tone, and clever word play. Some jokes end in a surprising way that changes the meaning of what was said before.

Comedians sometimes tell stories that sound true, even if they are not, to share their ideas. There is discussion about whether jokes should target people who have power or those who don't, but not everyone agrees on this. Some famous comedians have questioned these ideas too.

Audiences

In stand-up comedy, the audience is very important. They help shape the show by reacting to jokes and ideas. A good comedian can change their act based on how the audience responds.

Unlike other kinds of shows, stand-up comedy is done by one person talking right to the crowd. The comedian needs to be quick and connect with the audience to keep things fun. Many people feel nervous about speaking in front of others, so the skill of a stand-up comic is very impressive. The laughter of the audience helps make the jokes work and keeps the show lively.

Terms

Beat: A pause used to make timing funny.

Bit: A small part of a comedy show.

Bombing or Dying: When a comic doesn’t get laughs.

Callback: A joke that refers back to something funny said earlier.

Chewing the scenery: Acting too dramatically to try to get a laugh.

Chi-chi room: A fancy room in a nightclub or comedy club.

Clapter: When the audience claps for an opinion they like, but it isn’t funny enough to laugh at. This term was coined by Seth Meyers.

Corpsing or breaking: When the comedian accidentally laughs during a serious part.

Crowd work: Talking directly with audience members, either using prepared jokes or making things up on the spot.

Hack: A comic who uses old, unoriginal jokes.

Killing, Crushing, Destroying: When a stand-up comic does really well.

Mugging: Making funny faces to get a quick laugh.

Punter: A member of the audience. This word is mostly used in Britain.

The room: The place where the show happens.

Tight five: A short, five-minute routine that is very well practiced.

Warm up: Getting the audience excited before the main show starts.

Work out: Trying out new jokes and improving them over time.

Records

In 2015, Jessica Delfino did the most comedy shows by a woman in one night.

Phyllis Diller holds the Guinness World Record for getting the most laughs in one minute—12 laughs! Taylor Goodwin also holds a Guinness World Record for telling 550 jokes in just one hour.

Lee Evans sold tickets worth £7 million in one day for his 2011 tour.

Finally, Ricky Gervais made a record for the most money from one comedy show. His performance at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California on May 6, 2023, earned a lot of money.