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Last Saturday (and for the next 4 Saturday's) I started/am doing a 'Stand Up Comedy' course. As I know a lot of us magi's like a bit of comedy and/or comedy magic, I thought I'd ask two things:

Who is your favourite comedian and why?

Does anyone have any sources for 'comedy creation'? (ie: helpful tips and structure for aspiring comedians)

The late Richard prior, was a comedy genius.. Also Robin Williams was a good stand up guy.. If you need a bit of inspiration I suggest you visit the comedy club in Cambridge, to see just how these guys apply their trade.. Its a tough business, but maybe a bit more relaxing if your performing some magic at the same time.. Good luck and have a laugh!!

I walked out of the Portland Comedy club as it was awful, however, my friends at CUSTARD COMEDY in Comberton are the ones running my course.

Jordan C wrote:Last Saturday (and for the next 4 Saturday's) I started/am doing a 'Stand Up Comedy' course. As I know a lot of us magi's like a bit of comedy and/or comedy magic, I thought I'd ask two things:

Who is your favourite comedian and why?

Does anyone have any sources for 'comedy creation'? (ie: helpful tips and structure for aspiring comedians)

I'm going to do a couple of open mic nights in London soon. I see you're in the same mighty county as me!!! Do you know any open mic nights in the shire?? Will you be able to perform anywhere afterwards?? If you ever do I'll come along nobble any hecklers!!!

Pip-pip

K

Regards open mic nights, check out 'The Emperor' on Hills rd on Thursday nights

A decent stand up comedy course should teach you how to source new ideas and write new material, otherwise the course is somewhat pointless.

Of course it teaches that

I was looking for other sources too. You can never have too much material or sources of material!!

Gene Parrot was a good writer who wrote gags for Bob Hope among others. Any of his books will be good. Jay Sankey wrote Zen and the Art of Stand-Up Comedy, which I can recommend. I believe he also releases close-up tricks, but I would not hold that too much against him.

As for favourite comedians, I like the guys with a degree of anger, or else a very high degree of intelligence. So I like Bill Hicks, early Ben Elton, Rhod Gilbert, Rich Hall. Stewart Lee is excellent. And Tommy Tiernan is one of the best story-tellers out there.

Current favourite comedian is Louis CK. Fearless when it comes to being offensive, but usually backed up by a solid rationale and a lot of (apparent) honesty. He manages to squeeze in a fair amount of observational stuff without it ever going down the "have you ever noticed" route - more "this is some stuff that happened to me" that the audience may find familiar.

Here's one of my favourite bits. Contains swears. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG4f9zR5yzY&noredirect=1