“Comedy is simply a funny way to be serious.” -Peter Ustinov
Stand-up comedy in recent times has become a platform for people of all walks of life to get on stage and joke around about their lives, the world, everyday ongoings, etc. If you’ve ever wondered how this type of entertainment came to be, read below for a simplified timeline of the history of stand-up comedy.
The origins of stand-up comedy can be traced back to as early as the 19th century (in American Minstrel shows)— however, it wasn’t really popularized until the mid-1970s. Minstrel shows mainly consisted of musical theater performances, but some did include performances by comics. The comic would stand center-stage while telling jokes and asking humorous questions, with the end-men would say the punch line. These shows were enjoyed by the public before, during, and after the Civil War.
Later on, as vaudeville boomed in the 19th century, stand-up comedy’s popularity began to fade. With that being said, Will Rogers was a popular stand-up comic during the time in which vaudeville dominated the entertainment scene.
In times of war —and especially World War II— comedy performances were aired through the radio because it was a medium that “brought Americans together” during dark and harsh times. In the 1950s, “The Ed Sullivan Show” and “The Tonight Show” opened the door for the rise in popularity of comedy shows and stand-up comedy thereafter.
The 1970s and the following four decades would see the intermittent rise and fall of comedy according to topicality and overall public opinion. The 1970s are considered to be modern-day stand-up’s foundational birth, especially with a vast, new generation of comedians entering the scene with the backdrop of the comedy club’s invention.
By the time the 1980s came around, stand-up comedy was ubiquitous— it was found on TV shows, in clubs, and in other entertainment venues
Fast forward to the 90s, however, when stand-up found itself at a slight decline for unclear reasons— only to return with a vengeance to the entertainment scene in the 2000s. From the 2000s to the present, stand-up comedy continued to flourish and expand throughout the world. Not only was it performed on TV and in comedy clubs, but it actually birthed a new and vast number of amateurs— becoming an extracurricular activity on college campuses, at community centers, and other similar platforms.
Today we are surrounded by a saturation of stand-up comedy in the entertainment scene and Hollywood. Despite the fact that more and more stand-up comedians are transitioning from stand-up to more scripted professions— such as TV shows and movies— the art continues to expand in popularity. Actors such as Eddie Murphy, Amy Schumer, Jim Carrey, and Mindy Kaling (among many, many others) started their entertainment careers doing stand-up. Why? Well, because the practice of stand-up comedy is an integral tool that helps with improvisation skills, stage presence, and storytelling— all of which are useful traits for actors to have.
What is the commonality between all comedians? The ability to spin mundane— and sometimes even tragic— events into light-hearted jokes for all to enjoy. The history of stand up comedy holds many reputable names and jokes. If you are looking for some comedy to lighten your mood, check out Jeff Zaret’s Youtube. If you are looking a comedic performance, the contact me today!