I’m sure by now you’ve all heard the riveting comments made by Katt Williams about his experiences with different comedic personalities on Club Shay Shay the Shannon Sharpe Show. Indeed, the man does have something and handled the interview with a certain mature Southern charm.
Shay Shay had to have known that a whirlwind of social comments would be hurled his way after having Katt on the show, but then again, comedy in general has an interesting position in the history of entertainment.
When it comes to the male ego and how it’s structured, I know there should be a bar of acceptance by other comics in support of their funny-as-hell cohorts and their various arrays of imperfections. It would have been fun to hear a change of habit and real stories by the comics themselves about what happens at shows behind the scenes when they are on the road touring and about their worldwide travels and performances. Hearing funny memories of locations, places, and times rather than the comparison of one comic to another and the putdown would have been, in my opinion, refreshing. It was always a mystery to me why entertainers or any field of experts held themselves in comparison to one another. Each one of us is an individual as such for a reason, and unless one is twin to another in essence there are no comparisons. There are similarities in thought; however, the application is always different depending on an individual’s perception. Could it be that one’s perception of another is subjective and through the lens of the eyes of the one looking and in comedy hearing?
Does one have to put down another to be elevated? Does one have to even bring up another’s faults or stay focused on their own? I do believe that faults are talkable items for chats; however, I know not one of us who is without fault, do you?
I’m not saying that we should all go around being fake and liking those with no affinity or connection. Lower our moral standards or give up integrity however, what I am saying is that a pot can’t call a kettle black when they are the same.
Did you know that before comics were celebrities, they were on the low end of the entertainment industry? A part of a show, not the show itself. Confined to cheap clubs, strip bars, and low-end clubs’ comedy has come up. Comics like Rudy Ray Moore, Jack Benny, Red Foxx, Lenny Bruce, Milton Berle, and Moms Mabley, to name a few, were considered raunchy. Today, they would be applauded. Did you know that the Icehouse in Pasadena, California, opened in 1960 and is, to date, the oldest club in the US? Standup started in the 1840s with minstrel shows aimed at the perpetuation of racial stereotypes. In the 1930s and 1950s, the nightclub circuit was owned by the American Mafia.
Below, I’ve defined some history and background of comedy and the different genres. Its come a long way, babeeeeeee…beee…
Slapstick comedy: Slapstick involves physical comedy, exaggerated facial expressions, and stunts. This style of humor was popularized in the early twentieth century by comedians like Charlie Chaplin and the Three Stooges.
Dark comedy: Also known as black comedy, this subgenre focuses on the incongruity of comedic elements and morbid subjects like war, death, and crime. This style of dark humor is seen in the works of writers like Kurt Vonnegut and filmmakers like the Coen brothers.
Self-deprecating humor: Self-deprecating humor focuses on the shortcomings of a particular character or performer. Stand-up comedian Rodney Dangerfield used self-deprecating humor in many of his routines.
Romantic comedy: This genre of comedy combines themes of romantic love with humor. William Shakespeare wrote many influential romantic comedies, including The Merchant of Venice (1596) and Twelfth Night (1601).
High comedy: This highbrow form of comedy is exemplified in works like Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest (1895). Sometimes known as comedy of manners, high comedy typically uses satirical wit in the context of upper-class societies.
Situational comedy: Situational comedies draw humor from the relationships and dynamics between recurring characters in a consistent setting. Some popular sitcom television shows include The Office (2005–2013) and Seinfeld (1989–1998).
Parody: Parodies spoof existing works through imitation and exaggeration. Examples of parody films include Young Frankenstein (1974) and Scary Movie (2000).
Surreal humor: This form of humor focuses on absurd situations that defy logic and reason. The British comedy troupe Monty Python developed a unique brand of surreal humor in their shows and films.
Tragicomedy: Tragicomedies combine comedic elements with serious subjects to explore different aspects of the human experience.
Farce: Farce centers around exaggerated characters dealing with improbable situations caused by miscommunication or mistaken identity. Home Alone (1990) and The Hangover (2009) are two popular movies that employ farce.
Wordplay comedy: Performers use this style of comedy to entertain audiences by using witty wordplay. Examples of wordplay include puns, double entendre, alliteration, and rhymes.
Deadpan comedy: This style of dry comedy evokes laughter through the intentional lack of emotion while talking about absurd topics.
Observational comedy: Performers use observational comedy to draw attention to the unnoticed humor within everyday life.
3 Common Types of Comedic Performances
Performers use a variety of comedic styles to entertain audiences. Consider a few of the most common types of comedic performances.
Stand-up comedy: Stand-up comedians tell anecdotes and jokes with punchlines to surprise and amuse their audiences.
Sketch comedy: Sketch comedy involves a group of performers acting out short comedic scenes. Sketch comedy shows like Saturday Night Live (1975–present) popularized this style.
Improvisational comedy: This style of comedy involves performers inventing comedic situations on the spot without a script.
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