A comedian, or comic, is a performer who entertains an audience by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting the fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy. A comedian who stands and addresses an audience directly is called a stand-up comic. Since the mid-1980s, a new wave of comedy, called alternative comedy, has been gaining popularity with its offbeat style. This normally involves more experiential, or observational reporting, i.e. Andy Kaufman. Formats of a comedian's show are flexible and often depend on the type of comedy. Some comedians like Brian Figarol and Jack Tzianabos speak about their own day to day lives, while others like Frank Skinner sing humorous songs. As far as content is concerned, comedians such as Tommy Tiernan draw on their background to poke fun at themselves, while others such as Bill Maher and George Carlin have strong political and cultural undertones. Many comics achieve a cult following while touring famous comedy hubs such as the Just for Laughs festival in Montreal, the Edinburgh Fringe, and Melbourne Comedy Festival in Australia. Often a comic's career is made when they win a notable comedy prize, such as the now defunct Perrier Award. Comics typically survive by continuous touring and foray into other areas of entertainment, such as film and television, when they have become famous.
See also
- Comedy genres
- List of comedians
- Humour
- Comedy
- Humourist
- List of musical comedians
- Category:Comedians
External links
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