Standup comedy is a live performance before an audience that consists of funny stories and jokes. The performers are known as comedians, comics, or merely standups.
It consists of stories, observations, shtick (a set that uses props, magic tricks, ventriloquism, or music), or one-liners.
The best part about stand-comedy is that you can perform it anywhere you like, from festivals, clubs, theatres to nightclubs, bars, colleges, and more.
Today, standup comedy is quite popular among the audience, but was it always the case?
Let's discuss how standup comedy evolved throughout history, the best standup comedians, and more.
Brief History Of Stand Up Comedy
'I think it's the duty of a comedian to find where the line is drawn and cross it deliberately' – George Carlin.
Standup comedy USA dates back to the 1800s Minstrel shows. Although it originated in the 19th century, it became increasingly popular only in the mid-1970s.
Most Minstrel shows included various musical and theatre performances; some included comedic performances.
The performers (comedians) would usually stand in the center of the stage as interlocutors would ask funny questions/tell jokes, while the others would deliver the main punch lines.
The shows were common and widely popular before and after the end of slavery.
However, with the advent of Vaudeville (a theatrical genre) in the early 1900s, standup popularity faded.
In this not-so-good period for standup comedy, William Penn Adair Rogers (better known by the stage name Will Rogers) was arguably the most famous standup comedian, providing humor to the American masses.
In the times of wars, particularly during WW2, comedic performers performed their art using radio to bring all Americans together.
The 1950s decade proved a lot better for the standup. In this decade, various shows such as 'The Tonight Show' and 'The Ed Sullivan Show' set the stage for more standup comics and comedy shows in the future.
From 1970 onward, the fall and rise of comedy drastically changed due to historical events and public appeal.
It was when the actual birth of comedy happened as the new breed of standup comedians and humorists was born, including the invention of the "comedy club."
During the 1980s, standup comedy shows could be found almost anywhere from clubs standup comics to TV shows, and more.
However, the 1990s saw a slight fall in comedy. But it bounced back again in the early 2000s. From then onwards, standup comedy and comedians continued to prosper until today.
Standup comedy shows were performed on TV and in clubs.
They actually became a good pastime activity for amateurs; slowly, comedy became a popular activity in community centers, schools, colleges, and universities.
Standup comics and standup comedy also surround this era.
Although more standup comedians leave the stage every day for better-scripted professions such as movies and TV shows, standup comedy as art is booming day after day.
The art has become so famous that various popular actors even started doing standups, such as Mindy Kaling and others.
In short, standup comedy is a flourishing niche!
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Different Types Of Comedy
There's a range of styles and forms that entertain people in entirely different ways regarding comedy. Here are the most common and popular genres of comedy:
Slapstick Comedy
Slapstick comedy involves stunts, physical comedy, and exaggerated facial expressions.
This form of comedy became popular in the 20th century, thanks to comedians like Three Stooges and Charlie Chaplin.
Dark Comedy
Dark comedy (also called black comedy or dark humor) is a sub-genre that sheds light on subject matters that are mostly considered taboo, especially subjects deemed severe or painful to discuss.
This form of comedy usually includes the usage of irony, dark humor, and sarcasm to create laughter from distressing situations.
Here are a few famous American writers that have used dark comedy in their works:
- Martin Amis
- John Barth
- Richard Brautigan
- Roald Dahl
- Amanda Flllipaci
- Joseph Heller
- John Irving
- Philip Roth
- Kurt Vonnegut
- Robert Anton Wilson
Self-Deprecating Humor
This type of comedy focuses on particular shortcomings of performers or characters. Many standup comedians, including Rodney Dangerfield, utilized this form of humor in their various routines.
Romantic Comedy
Romantic comedy blends themes of humor with romantic love.
It's a sub-genre of slice-of-life fiction and comedy, focusing on humorous, lighthearted plotlines centered on loving, romantic ideas like how love can surmount obstacles.
William Shakespeare – the famous English poet and playwright – wrote a series of influential romantic comedies such as "The Merchant of Venice," "Twelfth Night," "Two Gentlemen," and more.
High Comedy
Also called "comedy of manners," high comedy employs satirical wit regarding upper-class societies.
This form of comedy is beautifully illustrated in the famous play "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde.
Situational Comedy
Situational comedy (also called sitcom) is a comedy genre that deals with a fixed set of characters continuing from each episode.
Some of the popular sitcom TV shows include:
- The Office
- Seinfeld
- Friends
- How I Met Your Mother
- The Big Bang Theory
- Two and a Half Men
Surreal Humor
This type of comedy focuses on preposterous situations going against reason and logic. Some popular surreal humor shows include The IT Crowd, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Robot Chicken, and more.
Tragic Comedy
Tragic comedies blend elements of both tragedy and comedy. 50/50, Birdman, Forrest Gump, and Lost in Translation are a few popular American tragicomedies.
Most Famous Standup Comedians
Here are a few of America's most famous standup comedians:
George Carlin
George Denis Patrick Carlin – better known as George Carlin – is one of the best and greatest standup comedians ever born.
Between his dazzling political and social commentary, legendary English language command, and genius-level observing skills, Carlin was indeed an absolute master of this craft.
No alien to obscenity – his famous '7 dirty words' routine echoed in the US Supreme Court – George Carlin could easily be juvenile and crass one minute and deeply wise and philosophical the next.
Matching his five decade's worth of high-grade material will most likely be impossible for anybody.
Here are a few of George Carlin's best standup shows:
- "On Location: George Carlin at Phoenix"
- "George Carlin: You are all diseased"
- "George Carlin... It's Bad for Ya!"
- "George Carlin: Playin' with Your Head"
- "George Carlin: Jammin' in New York "
- "George Carlin: Doin' It Again"
Richard Pryor
Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor – better known as Richard Pryor – is one of the most famous comedians the world has ever seen.
Not only was he a one-of-a-kind standup comedian, but also a great writer and actor.
After having self-described epiphanies regarding his slightly tame acts of 1960, Pryor started dropping "N-bombs or n-words" in rapid-fire as he spoke bluntly about whites, blacks, and his demons.
His observational humor on African American lives in America during 1970 was razor-sharp brilliance.
Many famous comedians of this era acknowledge that Richard Pryor inspired them.
Being arguably the most influential standup comedian – irrespective of style or race – Pryor's work is above reproach.
Robin Williams
Robin Williams – the famous American actor and comedian – was full of energy and supernatural ability to speak of the cuff. Moreover, he had more comic talent than most other comedians of his time.
His standups in both the late 1970s and 1980s were furious, fast, and replete with hysterical impressions.
This helped him become one of the world's best and most successful movie stars. William also hosted a talk show, which according to many Americans the funniest talk show ever on television.
Known for doing a range of characters in various movies and improvisational skills, Robin Willaims is regarded as one of the best comedians the world has ever seen.
Lenny Bruce
Leonard Alfred Schneider (better known by the stage name Lenny Bruce) was an increasingly popular American satirist, social critic, and standup comedian.
He was widely famous among the American audience due to his freestyle, critical and open comedy that contained satire and a range of topics such as religion, politics, etc.
His bold material choice and how he presented it made him among the world's best performers of all types.
Bill Cosby
William Henry Cosby Jr. – famously known as Bill Cosby – is arguably one of America's best standup comedians.
An incredible storyteller, his humorous remembrance of family and childhood musings crossed age and racial boundaries when it was hard to perform, influencing many from Jerry Seinfeld to Richard Pryor and more.
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Take Stand Up Comedy Lessons
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I think it is important to name Monty Python when we talk about surreal comedy, they created it.