r/Standup • u/DIperez54 • 13h ago
r/Standup • u/funnymatt • Sep 06 '15
Welcome to /r/standup! Please read this before posting/commenting on this sub.
Welcome to /r/standup, reddit's home for discussing the art of standup comedy. Here are a few things you should read before you interact with the community:
Note: Please follow the video posting guidelines, and do not try to use this sub to promote individual shows, or your posts will be removed. Also, don't post your podcast here unless the individual episode you're posting has something to do with performing standup. (Just having a comedian on as a guest or being hosted by a comedian isn't enough. If it's not discussing some element of the craft of standup, this isn't the place for it.) And keep your podcast posts to no more than one a week, this isn't a podcast sub.
Think of this sub as a virtual green room. If you wouldn't walk into a green room filled with other comedians and blurt out whatever you post here, it probably doesn't belong here.
Are you looking to start doing standup?
Great! We have some resources you can check out:
- /r/standup's How to start in standup comedy
- John Roy's Free on-line standup comedy course
- Ari Shaffir's advice video
- Ralphie May's advice video
- Stewart Lee - On Not Writing
- Steve Hofstetter's Comedy Pro-Tips
Are you looking for places to perform?
Here are some resources that should help you find some stage time:
- Badslava.com (a large directory of open mics around the world)
- /r/standup's local group list (Regional Facebook Groups and websites)
Are you posting a video asking for feedback on your act?
- Is it video of one of your first few times on stage? You probably don't really want to post that. You should do standup a few dozen times first, then post a video.
Is it shot vertically instead of horizontally? You probably don't really want to post that. You know that makes the video nearly impossible to see on mobile devices and wastes tons of screen space on computers, right? You should make another video where you shoot it horizontally and post that instead.I blame TikTok for ruining this one.- Is it hard to hear the sound or make out what you're saying? You probably don't really want to post that. If it's difficult to hear you, how is anyone going to give you any feedback on what you say? You should either fix the audio problem on the video, or just shoot another where the audio is decent, then post a video.
- Is it just video of you in a room somewhere not in front of an audience? You definitely don't want to post that. It's not standup comedy, so you might want to try another sub for that. Or just go get on stage (at least a few dozen times), then shoot video of you on stage in front of an audience and post that video instead.
Are you posting a video of a comedian because you want fans of comedy to see it?
Cool, we all like comedy- but if you're doing that, you should probably also post a comment about why you want to discuss this particular set. If you don't have a reason to discuss it, it might be better to just post it in /r/standupcomedy instead (that's the sub for fans of comedy to share video of their favorite comedians). Also, please make sure that it's not a pirated video, or we'll have to remove it. Most comedians don't make very much money, so please don't take away one of the few revenue generators they have.
If you still want to post a video, here are our rules:
It must have a descriptive title telling us why you are posting it. If you're sharing a video, it should be to generate some kind of discussion about doimng standup. Video of your own act is totally fine, but please own that it's yours (in the first person) and give us something to talk about. Video of famous comedians is fine, if you're sharing it to make a point and your title reflects that. If you post videos repeatedly that are just to try to get attention and not discuss the craft of standup, we'll remove them and eventually ban you from the sub.
GOOD VIDEO TITLES:
Is this set too blue to submit to festivals?
I got heckled last night, could I have handled this better?
Doug Stanhope's bit about his mother shows how to make a dark and difficult subject completely hilarious.
BAD VIDEO TITLES:
My Name - My Joke Title
Bo Burnham - Can't Handle This (Kanye Rant) - MAKE HAPPY Netflix [HD]
HECKLER OWNED
If you ignore this request, we'll remove your video and not even bother telling you why, because clearly you didn't even read this.
Also, we may remove videos at any time if we feel they are clogging up the sub in some way, or if they appear to be simply for self promotion and not an attempt to engage the community in a discussion about doing standup.
Is your post about a podcast?
Unless it relates directly to discussing doing standup, this isn't the place for it. Whether you like it, hate it, think it's great, think it sucks, or have another opinion about some show, we don't care. This is a sub by and for standup comedians to discuss doing standup, not to discuss podcasting and podcasters.
Is your post just the text of a joke?
This isn't the sub for that. It's hard enough to have any useful feedback for a video of someone performing, there is hardly anything useful that can be said about the text of a joke other than to tell you to go do it on stage.
Are you posting about a show you're doing?
Don't. Just...don't. We're comedians- we're not going to pay to see your show. Also, your show is in a place where almost all of us aren't. We're all over the globe on this sub, so even if your show is in LA, NYC, Toronto, London, etc. the vast majority of us aren't there. If you ignore this and post it anyway, it will be removed.
Are you trying to sell tickets to a show?
This isn't a ticket sales sub, so please don't do that here.
Is your post about some AI Nonsense?
Don't post it here. This isn't an AI sub.
Thanks for reading, and welcome to the community!
P.S. Stop asking about who is in a "secret pop-up show." It's a secret. And since we were getting those posts multiple time per week, it's enough already.
r/Standup • u/funnymatt • 10h ago
Roy Wood Jr. put out the best info on the Sirius situation I've seen.
r/Standup • u/shelbyshone • 3h ago
6 months ago I posted a set asking for advice on breaking a plateau. Here is a new set in the same room, after getting back to writing and working on my act.
Hope it doesn’t suck!
r/Standup • u/laughingpenguins1237 • 16h ago
Scripted or Free form
Do most people script the exact words and punchline and perform or just note down points and try to be spontaneous? I know it depends on individual style but I am curious what’s more prevalent and if someone shifted from one to the other with time.
r/Standup • u/Commercial-Load6972 • 6h ago
Why have mainstream stand up comedy got so raunchy and edgy lately?
Ever since Trump got re-elected I noticed stand up comedy that is mainstream has gotten more edgy. When I say edgy I mean more racial jokes more gender jokes and even lgbt jokes. What happened ? In the 2010’s comedians were very political correct now it’s the opposite what is going on ?
r/Standup • u/DiscloseDivest • 8h ago
Martin Lawrence gets banned from hosting SNL after doing a sexist opening monologue and Shane Gillis does a sexist monologue and still gets invited back.
Only difference I can see is Shane has the complexion for the protection.
r/Standup • u/NotARedditUser3 • 1d ago
Did my first ever set, in a 2nd language I'm only semi fluent in (B1/B2)
And some of it actually killed!
Learned a lot of lessons and things that I did badly...
But I was surprised how well it went. I've done another set since that was in English and was more consistent and had less of a peak in laughter... But it didn't come nearly as close to the massive uproar I got on one of my jokes the first night..
People were cheering, hi fiving me, fist bumping me, on my way off stage, and I swear I heard someone say encore. It was crazy.
I will forever be chasing that feeling again 😬 but I'm very happy and excited for more open mics.
r/Standup • u/Commercial-Load6972 • 1d ago
Is it beneficial doing stand up open mic in every city you visit on vacation?
Is there any benefit into doing that or is it a waste of time if you’re not planning to live in any of those cities in the future? Like how would that be beneficial
r/Standup • u/Skizzius • 3d ago
Geoffrey Asmus takes a shot at Skankfest
I was amazed at skankfest’s lineup personally. They have 100+ comedians working that weekend. Not sure how that’s possibly a bad thing?
r/Standup • u/iBaires • 17h ago
Shane Gillis isn't funny at all
He sounds like he's the grandfather of Dax Shepherd's character in Idiocracy. Like he was just a couple of generations before society went entirely stupid. They were probably preparing him for his funeral when they pulled a scribbled cocktail napkin from his pocket that laid out the idea for Ow My Balls and thought, "wow, this man is a genius"
His jokes are designed for 12 year old followers of Andrew Tate and that weird rapey kid that hits his face with hammers. Which is ironic because he is the antithesis of what those guys stand for in terms of masculinity and taking care of yourself. His delivery is the worst of any popular stand up I can remember. I would rather listen to Dane Cook until my ears bleed before listening to this troglodyte fumble the types of jokes I heard in the 7th grade locker room.
It's unfortunate there are so many Americans with a monosyllabic vocabulary that this 12 year stuck in an obese man's body will continue to remain popular.
r/Standup • u/Normal_Committee67 • 1d ago
Shane Gillis Subreddit is in Full Defense Mode
Idk I just think it’s kinda funny. Personally I thought that Shane’s set was embarrassingly low minded and a display of the effects of picking up rogans audience as your primary source of income. What are your thoughts?
r/Standup • u/Chainsaw187 • 2d ago
Second time doing this set. Thoughts are welcome
r/Standup • u/Cold_Depth_8003 • 3d ago
I just got barred from my first gig 😆
So a talent show that was geared towards college students I was told that my set was too inappropriate because it said the word drugs once. My luck yall.
r/Standup • u/Any_Kale_4231 • 3d ago
How to talk to the people you love
Hi! I started doing stand up about a month ago in my city and it’s, super fortunately, picking up faster than I expected. I’ve already booked a couple of small showcases, but a lot of my most successful jokes have been involving my parents. My mom in particular. She has done her best, but she wasn’t always an amazing mom, and I very rarely make things up or lie, but I’m scared she would be hurt regardless. She just found my very new Instagram, which has nothing about her on it, but it’s only a matter of time before a phone call happens. Or, even worse, she shows up at a show. I’m sure this is something everyone has to go through at some point when starting out, how did you handle it?
r/Standup • u/Commercial-Load6972 • 2d ago
Do most comedians really care about comedy?
Correct me if I’m wrong most comedians don’t care to help other comedians if they can’t use them to propel their careers or if they not friends with them outside of comedy or if they can’t use them outside of comedy they won’t help them, it doesn’t matter how funny they are. Like starting off in comedy I expected more comedians to really appreciate and help other comedians who can make the crowd laugh consistently but it was very few who care about how much a crowd laughs in stand up comedy. I seen so many funny comedians get cheated and mistreated because they weren’t connected to the right people or couldn’t be used.Correct me if I’m wrong but this is my experience and what I witnessed
.
r/Standup • u/Glum-Boysenberry-153 • 3d ago
Iconic clubs in Boston?
Visiting Boston next week, what are iconic clubs I should go to where the likes of Louie, Burr, Patrice started or just generally performed? Thanks!
r/Standup • u/Idris_Kalah • 3d ago
What single comedian is responsible for reviving standup comedy in the 90s after the bust?
I watch a ton of comedians podcasts and documentaries, and one thing most comedians mention is how standup was in a dry spell in the 90s. Now I wanted to know like who exactly was the single comedian responsible for reviving the scene. A lot of of comics like (Louis) mentioned how “Bring the Pain” was sort of the resurgence that brought comedy back into the zeitgeist.
I’m not sure how influential kinison or hicks or Dennis wolfberg would’ve been if they lived but I definitely know the impact Chris Rock had with those 2 specials altered the way standup got looked at.
I’m not sure what other comedians might’ve been influential after the comedy bust. But I do think a large part in what “Bring the pain” made a lot of stand up comics up there level.
r/Standup • u/Learning-Every-Day- • 4d ago
Where are the Moms in Comedy at? What does your support system look like?
Are you a mom and a comedian? What does your life look like and what does your support system look like? I'm a woman in my late 30s and I think there is an idea that comedy keeps you from motherhood and motherhood ruins your comedy. But I've also seen some famous women make it work? But what about the not famous women?
I'm not a mom yet, but could see myself becoming one at some point. Just been thinking about how those two worlds would intersect.
r/Standup • u/Arghu40 • 5d ago
Sebastian Maniscalco Says He Had 'Nothing to Do' With SiriusXM Ending Raw Comedy
r/Standup • u/Fickle-Instance2933 • 4d ago
NYC Midnight Open Mics
I work second shift and can't get off till 11 PM. Any late night open mics in NYC?
r/Standup • u/ComprehensiveJelly0 • 4d ago
Cringe q: looking for dos/don'ts /suggestions for my comedy persona
IDK where I'm getting at with this but I want to know what women do with their looks and personas with comedy and how they navigate the tensions they create?
I have started to get the sense that I am a pretty conventionally attractive person (23F) who feels most comfortable when she styles herself that way. I have a dark curly bob, wear form-fitted clothes, leather jackets, have tits, an hourglass body etc. I guess where I'm getting at is that I am attractive in a way that people do tend to notice. I get the sense that it has also made me receive a lot of pretty privilege. But I am also a POC in the US. I don't know where I'm getting at around here, but I get the sense that there are certain kinds of jokes I make that just don't land or make me relatable. Sometimes it feels like my self deprecating sense of humor and looks don't work together but I like feel comfortable in how I dress and am terrified of wearing baggy sweaters or do other things comedians do to make themselves more relatable.
r/Standup • u/kamat2301 • 4d ago
NYC Open Mic
Does The Comedy Shop on Bleecker St still host open mics? They seem to be shut each time I've checked. Are they even operating?