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
The Secret Policeman's Third Ball (1987)
6.3/10
Director: Ken O'neill
Starring: John Cleese, Ben Elton, Robbie Coltrane, Lenny Henry, Lou Reed, Ruby Wax, Bob Ge...
In the "Secret Policemans Third Ball", John Cleese receives the "Silver Duck Award" from Stephen Fry & Hugh Laurie in a hilarious tribute. There are... Read more
Rodney Dangerfield - No Respect (1989)
Director: Various
Starring: Rodney Dangerfield, Tim Allen, Roseanne Barr, Bob Nelson, Jeff Altman, etc ...,...
The ultimate Rodney Dangerfield collection, this set contains 3 discs of the comic's hilarious stand-up along with 3 ABC specials 'It's Not Easy Bein'... Read more
Al Murray - The Pub Landlord: Giving It Both Barrels Live (2005)
7.6/10
Director: Richard Boden
Starring: Al Murray
The multi-award winning and critically acclaimed comedian, Al Murray, performs his hilarious live stand-up. Representing decent, honest, hard-working,... Read more
Tony Robinson's Cunning Night Out (2007)
5.6/10
Starring: Tony Robinson
One of the UK's most beloved performers, Tony Robinson has forged a career from making history humorous. He first shot to fame as the peasant simpleto... Read more
An Evening with Kevin Smith / An Evening with Kevin Smith 2: Evening Harder (2002)
Director: JM Kenny
Starring: Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes
Kevin Smith started out making movies in any spare moment he could find, patching together his cult hit 'Clerks' while the store he worked at (and fil... Read more
Steven Wright: When the Leaves Blow Away (2006)
7.6/10
Starring: Steven Wright
Dry, wry, deadpan and droll, the comic genius of Steven Wright has won a place in the hearts of observational comedy-lovers around the globe. Recorded... Read more
Wanda Sykes: Sick and Tired (2006)
7.3/10
Director: Michael Drumm
Starring: Wanda Sykes
Voted one of Entertainment Weekly's 25 Funniest People in America, the sardonic wit of Wanda Sykes will be familiar to viewers of 'Curb Your Enthusias... Read more
Victor Borge: The Funniest Man in The World (2008)
8.4/10
Starring: Victor Borge
Taking its title from the New York Time's declaration that he was probably the funniest man in the world, this film commemorates legendary entertainer... Read more
Tommy Cooper: Missing Pieces (1991)
7.4/10
Starring: Tommy Cooper
One of Britain's most inventive and well-loved comedians, Tommy Cooper, is back with a collection of oddball sketches, bungled magic and dead-pan one-... Read more
Puppetry of the Penis (2001)
5.7/10
Starring: Simon Morley, David Friend
Just when you thought you'd seen it all...Aussie blokes Simon Morley and David Friend began performing their 'genital installations', triggering a glo... Read more