CLASSIC, ROMANTIC AND STANDUP.
CLASSIC, ROMANTIC AND STANDUP. The argument as to whether a comedian should be like Jerry Seinfeld and observe ordinary people or should explore human nature by portraying the unusual is like the argument in literature and art between classic and romantic. In the essay linked, Walter Jackson Bate has a lot of helpful distinctions. Like Seinfeld, the classic is not interested in the artist’s subjective feelings. For the classic, insight rather than originality is important. The subject matter is what is “permanent” rather than “isolated and particular”–not so different from a focus on what people generally do. It is not seeking “a change from our daily lives” or “inventive or technical cleverness on the part of the artist.” On the other hand, Romanticism deals with “misunderstood heroic individuals and artists.” Rick Shapiro, the comedian praised in the Ron Rosenbaum article I posted on yesterday, could be considered a misunderstood heroic artist.
My philosophy is probably well known to the readers of this blog. The keys to me are along the same lines as yours, that the primary goal is to make the audience laugh.
Personally, I have found that often the material choses you. I have tried to do observational humor, and I generally just can’t do it well. What I can do is tell stories, particularly about myself. I’m getting better with observation - as evidenced by my lithium segment - but that’s still a hybrid bit.