Stand-up comedy

Stand-up comedy is an exciting art form where a comedian, called a stand-up comic, performs in front of an audience. Before social media became popular, these comics would stand on a stage and share funny and clever monologues. They might also add some physical acts to their shows.

These performances are carefully planned and often include talking directly with the audience, called live crowd interaction (crowdwork). Stand-up comedy can include quick, funny lines called one-liners, funny stories, observations about everyday life, or special acts known as shticks. Sometimes, comics use props, music, impressions, funny voices, magic tricks, or even ventriloquism to make their shows more interesting.

Comedians can perform in many different places, such as comedy clubs, comedy festivals, bars, nightclubs, colleges, casino showrooms, or theaters. During the pandemic, many comics used video calls, social media, and even unusual spots like rooftops and parking lots to share their humor with people.

History

Main article: History of stand-up comedy

Stand-up comedy began as part of many 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 showed up 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 comes in many different styles and types. Some common genres include:

• Alternative Comedy also known as alt-comedy: A style that challenges traditional ways of telling jokes.
• Anecdotal comedy: Telling funny stories with a bit of exaggeration.
• Character: Using a made-up persona or character to perform.
• Deadpan: Staying very calm and serious while telling funny or silly jokes. This is also called dry humor.
• Impressionist: Copying the way famous people talk or act.
• Insult: Making jokes that tease the audience or other performers.
• Musical: Using funny songs or musical jokes, sometimes without words.
• Observational: Talking about funny things that happen in everyday life.
• Satire: Making jokes that make fun of people, groups, or ideas.
• Topical: Jokes about current events or popular topics.
• Wordplay comedy: Using clever words, puns, and rhymes to entertain.
• Self-Deprecating comedy: Making funny jokes about yourself, like your mistakes or weaknesses. 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 create special shows called routines. These routines are made up of jokes and small stories that connect together. Each routine ends with a final joke, called the "closer," that brings everything together nicely.

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

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

Audiences

In stand-up comedy, the audience plays a big role. They help shape the performance by reacting to jokes and ideas. A good comedian can change their act based on how the audience responds.

Unlike other kinds of performances, stand-up comedy is done by one person talking directly to the crowd. The comedian needs to be spontaneous and connect with the audience to keep things fun and interesting. Many people feel nervous about speaking in front of others, which makes the skill of a stand-up comic even more impressive. The laughter of the audience helps make the jokes work and keeps the show lively.

Terms

Beat: A pause used to create funny timing.

Bit: A small part of a comedy show or routine.

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, especially when it isn’t working.

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 part where they need to stay serious. This can happen when they are supposed to keep a straight face.

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 or isn’t very skilled.

Killing, Crushing, Destroying: When a stand-up comic does really well, people say they are “killing” it. The same goes for “crushing” and “destroying.”

Mugging: Making funny faces to get a quick laugh, often using big, silly expressions and movements.

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

The room: The place where the show happens. Comedians can “read the room” to see how the audience is reacting, or “work the room” by talking with them.

Tight five: A short, five-minute routine that is very well practiced. It includes the comedian’s best jokes that are sure to get laughs. Comedians often use this for auditions.

Warm up: Getting the audience excited before the main show starts. This is often done before recording TV shows with a live studio audience.

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

Records

In 2015, Jessica Delfino set a record for the most comedy shows done 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—the biggest first-day sales for a British comedy tour.

Finally, Ricky Gervais made a record for the most money made from one comedy show. His performance at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California on May 6, 2023, earned £1,410,000 ($1,790,206.50).