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
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
Ben Elton: The Definitive Live Collection (2008)
7/10
Starring: Ben Elton
Ben Elton, the undisputed king of stand-up comedy, presents his definitive live collection. Four live hilarious stand-up shows available for the first... Read more
Heckler (2007)
6.1/10
Director: Michael Addis
Starring: Jon Lovitz, Roseanne Barr, Craig Ferguson, Paul Rodriguez, Judah Friedlander, Ja...
Boo! Hiss! You stink! Jamie Kennedy produced and hosts this biting documentary that explores the increasingly critical world we live in, focusing on h... Read more
Doug Stanhope: No Refunds (2007)
8.2/10
Starring: Doug Stanhope
Not all stand-up comedy is spot-cleaned and pre-packaged for the masses. Like the legends who were born out of smokey, booze-soaked nightclubs of deca... Read more
The Axis of Evil Comedy Tour (2007)
8.1/10
Starring: Ahmed Ahmed, Maz Jobrani, Aron Kader
In a world of racist propaganda and 'red alert' fears, a group of America's best Middle Eastern comics remind us all to laugh. Ahmed Ahmed, Aron Kader... Read more
Ben Elton Live: The Get a Grip Tour (2007)
7/10
Starring: Ben Elton
Ben Elton, the multi award winning writer, performer and comic is back on stage after ten years with his new un-cut live show and time has definitely... Read more
Jeff Dunham: Spark of Insanity (2007)
8.1/10
Starring: Jeff Dunham
Winner of 'Male Comedian of the Year' and regularly selling out venues left, right and centre, what makes ventriloquist Jeff Dunham so popular? Find o... Read more
Pam Ayres: Unsupported - Live on Stage (2007)
Starring: Pam Ayres
Recorded live at the Stables Theatre, Wavendon, in June 2007, this show captures the quick wit and idiosyncratic delivery of one of Britain's top comi... Read more
The Comedians of Comedy (2007)
7.3/10
Starring: Sarah Silverman, Doug Benson, Patton Oswalt, Andy Kindler, David Cross
14 of today's top comics get together at the infamous Troubadour club in L.A. for a night of comedic anarchy! See Patton Oswalt, Sarah Silverman, Davi... Read more
Sean Hughes Live - The Right Side of Wrong (2007)
Starring: Sean Hughes
After ten years away from the stand-up circuit, Irish comedian Sean Hughes made a triumphant return with this live show. Winner of the Perrier Comedy... Read more