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
Jasper Carrott - Beat the Carrott (1981)
7.5/10
Starring: Jasper Carrott
Jasper Carrott at his best! Jasper Carrott has long been one of this country's most well-loved comedians and this ITV special from 1981 shows him on t... Read more
Victor Borge Around Australia (1980)
Starring: Victor Borge
Danish pianist, composer, songwriter, entertainer and actor, Victor Borge stars in a series of Channel 9 appearances for Don Lane, Clive Robertson, De... Read more
Divine Madness (1980)
7/10
Director: Michael Ritchie
Starring: Bette Midler
Bette Midler's dynamic and bawdy live show 'Divine Madness' was filmed with ten cameras to create this electrifying film. Featuring such musical hits... Read more
The Secret Policeman's Ball Presents - Anniversary Comedy Edition (1979)
Starring: Michael Palin, John Cleese, Peter Cook, Rowan Atkinson, Barry Humphries, The Goo...
Celebrating 30 years since the first charity comedy concert, this collection features an array of side-splitting moments in comedy history with Britai... Read more
Victor Borge: In Concert and Encore! (1979)
8.4/10
Starring: Victor Borge
Recorded in 1979, master musical wit, Victor Borge, struts his stuff in this special concert performance at the Wembley Conference Centre. The Copen... Read more
Richard Pryor: Live in Concert (1979)
8.2/10
Director: Jeff Margolis
Starring: Richard Pryor
Richard Pryor is a comic genius at his prime in this 1979 live performance filmed in Long Beach. Considered by many critics to be Pryor's funniest and... Read more
The Secret Policeman's Ball (1979)
6.9/10
Director: Roger Graef
Starring: Rowan Atkinson, John Cleese, Billy Connolly, Peter Cook, Clive James, Terry Jone...
A full-length, unexpurgated film of the annual Amnesty International comedy fundraiser that captures some of England's finest comedic minds performing... Read more
Tommy Cooper: Just Like That! - The Complete Series (1978)
7.4/10
Director: Stuart Hall
Starring: Tommy Cooper, Andrew Sachs, Sheila Bernette
'Tragic magic' rules in this six-part series from 1978, which saw Tommy Cooper at the height of his fame. Assisted by Andrew Sachs and dimunitive come... Read more
Beyond the Fringe (1964)
7.8/10
Starring: Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, Jonathan Miller, Alan Bennett
Thought to be lost forever, this is a rare filmed version of the famous comedy revue that launched the careers of Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, Alan Benne... Read more