Comedy Store (Stand-Up)
Comedy (Stand-Up)
A stand-up comedian is someone that performs in comedy clubs, usually reciting a fast paced succession of amusing stories, short jokes and one-liners, typically called a monologue. Some stand-up comedians use props, music, or magic tricks in their acts.
Stand-up comedy is perhaps the easiest field of entertainment for new talent to enter, because many smaller venues hold "open mic" events where the inexperienced can perform comedy before a live audience. However, perhaps more than any other performer, the stand-up comedian is at the mercy of the audience, which is an integral element of the act. A truly adept stand-up comedian must nimbly play off the mood and tastes of any particular audience, and adjust his or her routine accordingly. The test of a master stand-up comedian is the ability to not only face down a "heckler," but win over and entertain the rest of the crowd with a retort. Many of the all-time greats are featured below.
Right: Steven Wright
Eddie Izzard: Unrepeatable (1994)
8.1/10
Director: John Gordillo
Starring: Eddie Izzard
Recorded at the Albery Theatre in March 1994, when Eddie Izzard was playing a limited seven week sold-out run of his celebrated stand-up show. "A comi... Read more
Eddie Murphy: Delirious (1983)
8.2/10
Starring: Eddie Murphy
The year was 1983 and NOTHING was sacred! Jokes about puberty, dating, Mr T, disciplinarian mothers, and the personality traits of Michael Jackson wer... Read more
Eddie Murphy: Raw (1987)
7.6/10
Director: Robert Townsend
Starring: Eddie Murphy
Filmed live at New York's Felt Forum, Eddie Murphy delights, shocks and entertains with dead-on celebrity impersonations, observations on 80s love, se... Read more
Frank Skinner Stand-Up (2008)
Starring: Frank Skinner
Frank Skinner has created and starred in a succession of hit comedy shows in England, starred in London's West End, written a best-selling autobiograp... Read more
French and Saunders: Live (2000)
8.2/10
Director: Anon
Starring: Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders
The class double act of French and Saunders are at their hilarious LIVE best in this offering. Dawn French says of their show "I am an all seeing, all... Read more
French and Saunders: Still Alive - The Farewell Tour (2008)
7.7/10
Starring: Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders
Britain's first ladies of comedy present their 'Still Alive' stand-up tour. Filmed at Cardiff, this celebratory farewell show features the best of the... Read more
Gilbert Gottfried: Dirty Jokes (2005)
7.2/10
Director: Adam Reid
Starring: Gilbert Gottfried
Recorded live in New York City, Gilbert Gottfried tears down the walls of good taste in this hilarious, gleefully foul-mouthed performance. At his mos... Read more
Grumpy Old Women: Live (2008)
7.3/10
Director: Peter Orton
Starring: Jenny Eclair, Dillie Keane, Linda Robson
Four sell out UK tours and a hugely popular run in Australia proved beyond any doubt that the Grumpy Old Women is a global phenomenon! Have you reache... Read more
Hal Roach: It's Himself (1995)
6.1/10
Starring: Hal Roach
Hal Roach has been star of the world famous Jury's Irish Cabaret in Dublin for over tewnty six years and has brought laughter to millions from the fou... Read more
Harry Hill: Hooves Live (2005)
7.8/10
Starring: Harry Hill
A live stand-up performance from the eccentric British funnyman, Harry Hill, recorded during his sell-out 'Hooves' tour and featuring his brand new co... Read more