Michael Shanks - site 2006: Stand-up Comedy

A stand-up comedian or stand-up comic is someone that performs comedy in an informal way, talking to the audience usually on a stage by themselves with a microphone. The most common form of stand-up involves the comic reciting a fast paced succession of amusing stories, short jokes and one-liners. It is also considered by many performers of all genres to be the hardest type of performance to execute and one of the most difficult to master, perhaps because more than any other performer, the stand-up comedian is at the mercy of the audience, which is an integral element of the act. This is in fact, where Here and Now succeeds.

American stand-up comedy has its roots in various traditions of entertainment popular in the late 19th century, ranging from vaudeville and humorist monologues, to Yiddish theatre and circus clown routines. Most early comedians were merely viewed as "joke tellers," who warmed up the audience as an opening act, or kept the crowds entertained during intermissions. Being a comedian was often considered a stepping-stone to a proper career in show business.

In the beginning, stand-up comedies were characterized by ad-libs and discussions about anything from the latest films to a missing birthday. The programs largely were split into the opening monologue, musical number, followed by a skit or story routine. However, beginning in the late 1950s and into the 1960s a new generation of American comedians began to explore political topics, race relations, and sexual humor. Stand-up comedy shifted from quick jokes and one-liners to monologues, often with dark humor and cutting satire.

Lenny Bruce became particularly influential in pushing the boundaries of what was considered acceptable entertainment, although amongst comedians such "boundary pushing" dates back at least to vaudeville in a traditional joke called The Aristocrats that comedians would tell usually only amongst themselves.

Stand-up comedy exploded during the 1970s, with several entertainers becoming major stars based on stand up comedy performances. Stand-up expanded from nightclubs and theaters to major concerts in sports arenas.

The great popularity of stand-up comedy led to a boom in stand-up comedy venues for both locally based and touring comics in many cities. Many stand up stars landed major television deals, and established television and film stars tested their comic chops with live stand up comedy appearances. The advent of HBO (which could present comedians uncensored) and other cable channels such as Comedy Central added to the stand-up comedy boom.

By the 1990s, the glut of stand-up comedy led to its decline, as the market became somewhat flooded with comedians considered by some to be mediocre. However, established stand-up comedians still commanded top ticket prices, and talented new comedians were presented with many smaller venues to establish themselves in. In the 2000s, comedy has had a large resurgence, due largely to newly accessible and popular media outlets such as the Internet and television channels like Comedy Central.

A recognized characteristic of comedy is that it is an intensely personal enjoyment. People frequently don't find the same things amusing, but when they do it can help to create powerful bonds. How then, can one stand-up special appeal to so many people? The answer is in its connections.

Connecting people through Laughter.

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