# People who go to stand-up comedy- are you really laughing? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 19, 2012, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-go-to-stand-up-comedy-are-you-really-laughing/635141 "2012-09-19T04:30:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-go-to-stand-up-comedy-are-you-really-laughing/635141/61 "2012-09-19T22:43:04Z")
I love good stand-up. And I have seen some great ones. The one that springs to mind is Richard Jeni (R.I.P). My abs hurt for two days, I laughed so hard. ---
**Author:** ![JpnDude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/838e76/32.png) [@JpnDude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JpnDude)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-go-to-stand-up-comedy-are-you-really-laughing/635141/62 "2012-09-20T01:31:02Z")
I always had a blast and laughed like crazy. Many a time I ended up teary-eyed and with a pain my stomach. During my time in London, I regularly attended shows at [The Comedy Store](http://www.thecomedystore.co.uk/). On Sunday evenings, they had [The Comedy Store Players](http://www.thecomedystore.co.uk/page.php?id=46&location=1#players) with their improv wizardry. Many of the performers I had seen in the original “ **Whose Line is it Anyway?** ” ---
**Author:** ![Tblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/278dde/32.png) [@Tblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tblue)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-go-to-stand-up-comedy-are-you-really-laughing/635141/63 "2012-09-20T15:01:44Z")
Billy Connolly’s way of performing - I love the incredulous glee he conveys. I do like “clever musician bastards”. (Bill Bailey. Flight of the Conchords) The majority of standup, however, I have a kneejerk reaction against. I think Robin Williams would be interesting to watch. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-go-to-stand-up-comedy-are-you-really-laughing/635141/64 "2012-09-21T06:15:15Z")
I do think people laugh when other people laugh. But the laughter is genuine. It’s actually funnier when people around you laugh. No one is faking it. As for the difference between that and TV, I think it depends. Some people like it when there’s studio laughter in shows. Others don’t. I think you just get immune to it, since you know it’s not real. But the real stuff will still affect you. ---
**Author:** ![B.Serum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/b.serum/32/14266_2.png) [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-go-to-stand-up-comedy-are-you-really-laughing/635141/65 "2012-09-21T07:08:20Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > Add David Cross and Dana Gould to that list and you are my new best friend. I knew I forgot someone! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![B.Serum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/b.serum/32/14266_2.png) [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-go-to-stand-up-comedy-are-you-really-laughing/635141/66 "2012-09-21T07:12:34Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Co you mean Mike Birbiglia? Sorry, I meant to type “Matt Pandamiglio.” ---
**Author:** ![Becky2844](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Becky2844](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Becky2844)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-go-to-stand-up-comedy-are-you-really-laughing/635141/67 "2012-09-21T08:15:25Z")
I love stand-up to death. (To die is easy; making people laugh is _hard._ The more precise, pin-pointed, regional/cultural an"inside" joke is, the more universal it’s appeal. This is true of any art. How do Hassaedic (not going to look the word up but I know I’m wrong) Jews get their locks to look that way? Curling irons? I’m not Jewish but I know about wrassling with curling irons. The good ones go for the “everyman” experiences with relatable anecdotes. I laugh if it’s funny. I groan if it’s not. (How else are they going to learn? And it’s better than the dreaded…silence.) If you’re seeing live stand-up in a club, it’s probably being done by a wannabe. Can you imagine the courage it takes to get up in front of a crowd and make an ass of yourself? I appreciate their effort and want them to do good. We all need a good laugh, and it’s easier to laugh at somebody else than ourselves. ---
**Author:** ![Greekfreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c68b51/32.png) [@Greekfreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greekfreak)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-go-to-stand-up-comedy-are-you-really-laughing/635141/68 "2012-09-21T08:16:33Z")
I host an open mic in South Korea, and if it’s truly funny, people will laugh. A lot of comics in town look down on sitcoms, but I think they’re mostly full of it. Frasier, Cheers, All In The Family, The Honeymooners, and Everybody Loves Raymond had some brilliant writing. Some people laugh more heartily when others are laughing; some laughs are infectious. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-go-to-stand-up-comedy-are-you-really-laughing/635141/69 "2012-09-21T13:31:13Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > I think he means Mike Bahooey. Naw, it’s Mike Bahooski. If you guys haven’t checked out John Mulaney, plug him into your Pandora stations. Excellent. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-go-to-stand-up-comedy-are-you-really-laughing/635141/70 "2012-09-21T14:08:39Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > Naw, it’s Mike Bahooski. I just call him @birbigs. ---
**Author:** ![Sahirrnee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sahirrnee/32/13937_2.png) [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-go-to-stand-up-comedy-are-you-really-laughing/635141/71 "2012-09-21T19:45:56Z")
I always laughed for real. There was that one comic though, can’t remember his name. He was from Jamaica. Between the accent, the caramel skin, the waist length dreads, don’t remember much of what he said but I sure enjoyed watching. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Woo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7c8e57/32.png) [@Dr.Woo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Woo)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-go-to-stand-up-comedy-are-you-really-laughing/635141/72 "2012-09-21T23:56:33Z")
I like standup better than pretty much any other entertainment. I listen to the Sirius comedy channels almost exclusively in the car, and I often laugh out loud while I’m driving down the freeway. I get some weird looks. Totally agree on Russell Peters, Kathleen Madigan, Christopher Titus and Eddie Izzard. I almost hurt myself laughing at Eddie when we saw him live once, and the joke was in French for pete’s sake. Which I don’t speak all that well, so yay Eddie. Also Bob Marley. The comedian. Hilarious guy. ---
**Author:** ![Namkcalb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c89c15/32.png) [@Namkcalb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Namkcalb)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2012, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-go-to-stand-up-comedy-are-you-really-laughing/635141/73 "2012-09-22T01:59:13Z")
> [@eclectic\_wench](#): > > OK, Dara Ó Bríain and Dylan Moran are NOT British. By any possible definition. Yes they are, by the same definition which makes all Canadians American. ---
**Author:** ![dwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwyr/32/363_2.png) [@dwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwyr)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2012, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-go-to-stand-up-comedy-are-you-really-laughing/635141/74 "2012-09-22T06:24:58Z")
I only go to see comedians I like and I usually laugh my head off even if I’m familiar with the material already from YouTube, etc. Bill Bailey slays me no matter how often I hear his stuff. In person he is fantastically weird. And a few years ago I saw Bob Newhart live and he was simply great! Some of his comedy is older than I am but it still works when he does it. For me anyway and most of the audience that was there that night. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2012, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-go-to-stand-up-comedy-are-you-really-laughing/635141/75 "2012-09-22T07:24:56Z")
> [@Mosier](#): > > You like slapstick, we like stand up. I’ve never seen a physical comedy sketch that made me do anything but cringe with embarrassment, but for you it’s actually entertaining. > > Different strokes for different folks. So you cringed with embarrassment at John Cleeses Silly Walk sketch or Fawlty Towers? Wow. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![schy0007](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@schy0007](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/schy0007)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2012, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-go-to-stand-up-comedy-are-you-really-laughing/635141/76 "2012-09-22T07:34:43Z")
I like comedy movies so much and like to laugh loudly. It make me fresh and ready to running for work. I think comedy movies helps us to running our heart as a great speed and it cause to serve well health. Laughing keeps our mind fresh and running our heart. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2012, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-go-to-stand-up-comedy-are-you-really-laughing/635141/77 "2012-09-22T16:54:11Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > My SO and I being of Chinese and E. Indian descent, respectively, we find him very funny and amusing. Hunh. That’s interesting. I always thought you were Indian. In the “passport-comes-from-New-Dehli” sense, I mean. ---
**Author:** ![MannyL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@MannyL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MannyL)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2012, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-go-to-stand-up-comedy-are-you-really-laughing/635141/78 "2012-09-22T18:49:18Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > I used to go see the Borgota comedy shows when I was comped. It was a mixed bag. A few that I had heard of (Gary Valentine) and mostly ones I haven’t. Some were meh others were hilarious. > > There is a good comedy club not far from here in New Jersey called The Stress Factory. Now I go rarely but when I do its for a headliner I want to see. The club is owned by Vinnie Brand. Vinnie usually opens each show. Everytime I have seen him his act has been 100% new. I don’t know how he does it. He is very funny and his crowd work is excellent. > > Jim Breuer: I was never much of a fan of his on SNL. But as a stand up he is a master. He is not a joke teller he is a storyteller. Just about the best storyteller I have heard. > > Christopher Titus. I hear he comes up with a new 90 minute show each year. I saw him last year. It wasn’t as good as _Norman Rockwell is Bleeding_ but still damn good. > > The last guy I saw was Dave Attell. Fantastic show. > > If you haven’t seen good stand up yet try going to a better club that gets real headliners. You may have only seen journeymen and openmikers. Loach, Vinnie Brand is an amazing guy, I’m a regular at his club and must have heard his “standard” material 100’s of times but he has a way of making it seem fresh. Some of my favorite comedians to see are Amy Schumer, Judah Friedlander, Jim Breuer, Rich Vos and Bonnie McFarland, Jim Norton and Ralphie May. I’m going to be seeing Maria Bamford next month for the first time and I’m looking forward to it. I hope to see Pablo Francisco eventually. ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2012, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-go-to-stand-up-comedy-are-you-really-laughing/635141/79 "2012-09-22T19:37:39Z")
And, as it’s been mentioned, there’s a big difference in styles. I love Jim Gaffigan, TJ Miller, Ron White, Greg Geraldo, Tom Papa. And then some people, like Russell Peters or Dave Attel or Doug Stanhope that I like in small doses. I strongly dislike Chris Rock, Mitch Hedburg and Galifinakis. But comedy clubs are sad little places with a brick wall that have been dying a slow death for years now. Stand up in a small to mid sized music venue or playhouse setting is great. The bottom line is you have to find what’s funny to you and do a little research – but it’s out there. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-go-to-stand-up-comedy-are-you-really-laughing/635141.md?page=3)