Humor is something that utilizes groupthink and brings joy to people. Many of the most beloved films are comedies. However, the excitement of live performances has always been popular throughout our generation and even before us. Stand up comedy had a boom in the 1970s and 80s.
However, there seems to be a renaissance of stand up comedy. What makes stand-up comedy popular? Like why are people going heads over heels for their favorite comedian to show up? What makes the tickets all sold out much faster than when singers perform? Because Stand-up comedy is an art of bringing laughter and joy into our lives, it’s not just that we need to laugh, but that we have a strong desire to laugh. Stand up comedy is popular because comedians stand on the last true free platform, the stage.
The Wave of New Stand Up Comedy
With comedies that are very accessible and free today, do people still pay for traditional comedians or to attend their shows?
Absolutely! Clubs, theaters and even stadiums in the United States and around the world are full of people attending the shows of their favorite stand-up comedian. The success of Kevin Hart’s summer movie “Let Me Explain” (over $ 32 million) shows that comedians play an important and best role. Movies are different than live comedy shows, right? What should these comedians provide in order to convince the audience to buy their tickets? It can’t just be comedy. The answer is Community.
Comedy has come a long way. Gone are the days when comedy was all about making people laugh. Modern comedy is all about being a part of something which relates you with the comedian. Modern comedians have turned their fan base into a meaningful community, so comedy shows have become meeting places for people who think alike and have a certain touch attached to them.
Modern Comedy
Chris Hardwick, the founder of Nerdist Industries, refers to his fans and audience in a special voice and ways. His famous shout to the audience says it all, “Are there nerds here tonight? Nerds!”. It is the ever-growing stem of his fan base. Some Hardwick fans even wear cartoon character’s costumes to celebrate, while others wear t-shirts covered plant links with nerd captions and participate in the performances.
Social sciences have repeatedly found that people absorb their identity and feel as if they are part of a community when they see and share the same identity and are true to “common reality” with others. This shows that people are introduced to a world where getting to know others is getting popular. The ability of a comedian to identify with a crowd and that crowd to see their thoughts in what comedians say is a powerful connection.
People love these kinds of activities, especially when their behaviors, qualities and characteristics are threatened. Nerds, cranks, social liberals and conservatives are all prone to insecurities, these things make them eager to verify their identity and ideals with people who are just like them. When comedians effectively and humorously call out what the audience believes on stage, it generates great emotions. This is almost the same as the magnificent speech of your political candidate – we all feel they are going to do us better, but in stand up comedy, they actually do us better.
People who have faced the stigma of the society, when led by talented comedians, results out giving people a special sense of community. Louis CK makes people happy with their weaknesses and all their flaws as he jokes about them. Kevin Hart says it is normal to be masculine and insecure about yourself. Bob Burnham portrays beautifully about how being a thoughtful liberal is good, but sometimes selfish and confusing. This sort of acceptance is taking stand up comedy to places it has never been, and that too, for good.
Not only are comedians the funny representation of their fan base but they are also often the mouth of a movement. Even if the desire is unwanted comedians like Joe Rogan lead the charge for informed citizenship who uses comedy to break barriers and challenge the status quo.
Everyone loves some kind of comedy. We all have favorite comedians and we always have the opportunity to watch their live shows. Whether we think about it or not, comedy is an integral part of our lives. For example, during the day, something can crack you up and make us laugh. However, these little moments can be forgotten later. Do you remember what made you laugh this morning? No. but when it comes to stand up comedy shows, we remember things that made us laugh in a different way – we don’t just giggle, we actually laugh. The comedians basically talk about the usual things that happen throughout the day – but the way they deliver, this makes us remember them and laugh our lives out.
The latest specials offered on Netflix isn’t just about stand up comedy movies being funny. They are not afraid of solving related social problems or telling the truth. Comedians use their platform wisely without being apologetic and give viewers the opportunity to think about the things we often call trivial. Likewise, stand up comedy boldly welcomes the true recognition of the power of humor. Stand up comedy is a revolutionary voice in a world of mass media and social media influencers. Luckily that voice is refreshingly funny.
With new comedians getting breaks on platforms like Netflix, Amazon, and Dry Bar Comedy a new wave of stand up is emerging and giving people from all over the chance to get connected to comedians that resonate with them. The stand up comedy community is alive and getting stronger every day. The love of stand up comedy and the comedians who drive it is something we have never seen before. The wave of comedy is coming and the sound of laughter is its roar.
Comedy Is An Opportunity
Regardless of whether you like it or not, good comedians will create important opportunities to meet their needs as a society. We can embrace and laugh the reality in their comedy or accept and learn from their comedy, but stand-up comedy today has become the essence of communities as a whole. This is what is making the stand-up comedy even more popular in this generation of social acceptance. You may hear something from the stifling truths of insecurity or you might get those uncontrollable laughter attacks, nothing can break the need of being crazy in the moment and laughing out with every ounce of joy in us.
Stand up comedy is the funhouse version of the world around us. The ideas, jokes, and stories espoused on stage are connections to ourselves, our lives, and our world that make us feel better in the moment, connected to each other and gives us a break from the stresses of life. As long as there is stand up comedy people will be entertained. The new age of stand up comedy is here and it is glorious.
