Popular Stand-Up Comedians – Choose and Learn from Your American Idol
The best way for aspiring stand-up comedians to master their craft is by learning from the masters. It’s also easier for you to learn comedy techniques if you have a role model to look up to. The following names are just a few of the greatest comic masters in all time. Learn about them and try choosing one whom you wish to emulate the most.
JIM CARREY
Before he gained fame and fortune in The Mask, Jim Carrey – as everyone knew and as he was candid enough to admit – he was a cynical bitter stand-up comedian. Contrary to what you’d expect, however, instead of using his pessimistic view of life as the basis of his material, Jim Carrey chose to make people laugh with the unbelievable expressions that his elastic face was able to produce!
LESSON: Sometimes, the source of your humor and material is not what’s most obvious.
WOODY ALLEN
Unlike most comedians, Woody Allen’s approach to his live audience was unpolished and even slightly naïve. His very natural approach however took the audience by storm and enabled Woody Allen to become a star. Although Hollywood’s gain was stand-up comedy’s loss, Woody Allen’s albums are still being used by other comedians to supplement their material.
LESSON: Be yourself!
BILL COSBY
It’s very hard to think of a stand-up comedian as a lovable guy, but somehow, that’s exactly what the great Bill Cosby has been able to do. He can make people laugh without getting nasty and personal. Secondly, he rarely uses any props or improvised dialogue in his performances. Everything is carefully prepared but delivered like freshly baked bagels on morning! Simply irresistible!
LESSON: There are a lot of things you can learn from Bill Cosby, but the two most important lessons you’ll probably derive from his acts is that first, you don’t need to be cruel to be humorous; and secondly, cohesion and flow of dialogue is extremely critical when using prepared and memorized script.
CHRIS ROCK
Young comedians who may have a hard time being able to relate themselves with the classical masters may have more in common with Hollywood’s motor mouth Chris Rock. Everything about him screams of the uncompromising qualities of today’s generation in a caustic but humorous way.
LESSON: Chris Rock has thrown a lot of rocks – and gets hit back, mind you – in his career but he never goes beyond the line of irony. Be careful about this as well if you’re fond of including taunting remarks in your material.
It’s easier for anyone to make others cry than making them laugh so don’t feel depressed when all you can get from your audience is a stiff smile. If you’re good, that smile will sooner or later become a smile, a grin, and finally a full belly laugh!
|
||||||||||||
