Laughter may very well be the best medicine for people facing difficult times and help the properties bottom line. Historically comedy clubs and other live entertainment venues have thrived in difficult economic times. In the 80’s during the gas shortages and recession the comedy clubs boomed. While we are in uncertain times this may be the case during our current economic downturn. Many comedy clubs are doing very well and most comedy concerts are selling out.
This may offer a great opportunity to capitalize on the current situation. You can become
the comedy club in your community and offer people a break from the bad news of the day.
It is not difficult to prepare a banquet room or lounge for a comedy show but some things are required for a successful event. The room should hold 100 to 300 people with good seating and tables. Small cocktail tables are best but a banquet style set up will work fine. You want the audience to be seated as close to each other as possible, laughter is contagious. A stage or riser is necessary to give the audience a good line of sight. Some stage lighting is also required to get the full effect of the show and to help give the room a show biz feel. The number one thing required for a good comedy show is a good sound system. The greatest act in the world will fail if the audience can’t hear them. If you don’t have this equipment it can be rented or some agents may have it. Many radio stations will have it for their live remotes and they may want to partner up with you for the event.
The next thing you will need is to draw a crowd in the seats. Many comics claim to have large fallowing but most do not. The venue will have to draw a crowd because the acts will change each week. You must become known as the place for a great comedy show.
Provide a quality funny show with good acts and provide great service to improve your revenue. Watch the little details and the word of mouth will spread like wild fire and your room will do very well.
If you have an ongoing relationship with a radio station this can be a great way to get the word out. Most stations love to be a part of such an event and the DJ will often MC the event giving them exposure at a great venue. You should also use posters, direct mail and e-mail. News paper adds are an option and you will definitely want to send out a press release. Some of the booking agents or acts have publicists to do this for you. Many clubs will offer a discount admission and make the profit on the food and drinks. Most all comedy clubs have a two item minimum purchase and you should too.
With all that taken care of you need a good show that will make the audience want to come back for more. There are a number of booking agents including “Killer Comedy Online” that have extensive rosters of comics and specialty acts. In most cases you will be responsible for paying the agent and they in turn will pay the talent. You will also need to provide hotel rooms for the talent. It is good to use a booking agency that can put your room in as part of a tour to provide a multi night run for the acts. This will make it more profitable for the comics and will give you a better quality talent for the show.
The show should be 90 minutes long. It will be the local MC to get the people focused on the stage and keep the show moving. They will also do the announcements and thank any sponsors and plug your specials or any upcoming events. They will then bring up the feature act. The feature act should do 30 minutes and the headliner will do 50 minutes to an hour.
The person you have taking money at the door should also work as the crowd police and ask people that may be talking at a table to please be quite. Loud talking is very distracting and can ruin the show. The comics will usually take care of any heckling but if someone won’t be quiet they should be asked to leave. Your patron paid to see a professional show not someone in the audience that want s attention.
This kind of event has proven successful for decades and the market is wide open. It is necessary to do it right and get good talent. If you offer a good fun show and watch the small details your comedy night can provide substantial revenue for you, and offer your customer a welcome relief from the stress of every day life.
By: Mark Doyle
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Filed under Humor by on Jan 23rd, 2010. 
1895-1930 is the era of silent movies. They began coming into sight in substantial numbers during these years. Because this kind of comedy has no verbal communication, it relies on slapstick and burlesque, which involves parody and at times grotesque exaggeration. Charlie Chaplin is one of the most popular actors in the line of silent movies. In France, Max Linder holds the title.
In 1920’s, comedy in the form of animated cartoons became popular. The characters have been receiving “special cartoon treatment.” To name a few, there are Felix the Cat, Betty Boop and Krazy Kat.
The introduction of sounds in movies started the use of verbal humor. This took place in towards the end of 1920’s. At the start of 1930’s slapstick comedians were replaced by dialogue film comedians like W.C Fields and the Marx Borthers. Despite these changes, Charlie Chaplin remained in his position and was still a favorite during that time. He also made some changes like putting sound effects but still has no dialogue.
Screwball comedy was next in line. It encompassed pleasing and idealized climate that certain values and positive beliefs about everyday life of people were showed. Although physical comedy was still there, it is no longer a necessity because verbal interaction was prioritized and appreciated by the audience. Short subject films were also part of the trend during those times. It is when the Three Stooges was at its peak.
When the World War II started, military themes were such a hit in the industry. Comedy was focused on civil defense, service, boot-camp and shore leave. Because there are restrictions in traveling during the war, Hollywood was in boom time. But in the 1950’s, comedy was introduced in television. Family themed comedy became part of the industry because of this reason. Towards the end of 1950’s, darker humor began to rise, which includes satire and social commentary.
In the 1960’s, star-packed comedies were released. This is also when Peter Sellers tried his luck on international audience and had a favorable outcome.
1970’s was when slapstick comedy came back through Mel Brooks. His films include Young Frankenstein and Blazing Saddles. But still, verbal use prevailed. This is the start of the career of Steve Martin and others notable comedians.
Gag-based comedy films and disaster-themed series were well known trends in the 1980’s. During this time, American TV series were favored.
In the early 1990’s, the family-themed movies cam back to the limelight. Sequels were even made out of its success. Romantic comedy films were admired.
Stoner comedies were such a knockout. The story usually involves the adventure of two guys. Gross out movies were also patronized by younger audience.
Comedy in television will always stay but it will continuously evolve to adapt to the traditional and pop culture, politics and even trends that represent the current era.
By: Lance Smith
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Filed under Humor by on Jan 23rd, 2010.
When comedians touch on certain issues in a unique way, it makes us smile inside. Quite often, comedians discuss things in society in a more intimate, human centric way – a way that politicians and officials have made impossible by jargon infested language and hidden agendas. With a live comedian, the agenda is simple: for the audience to see the funny side of life.
Some issues that comedians touch upon include relationships, personal anecdotes, injustices, silly behavior and strange and funny experiences that we can all relate to. Comedians like Lee Evans, are more kinesthetic, illustrating their jokes with funny body movements or impressions. Others may be more verbose, using wordplay, double entendres or puns like comedian George Carlin was famous for. A special few stick to one-liners and perfect them until they can get the most laughs from the fewest words, like Mitch Hedberg. Some perform through music like The Flight of the Conchords, or Demetri Martin who uses presentations and amusing drawings. All of these are important forms of expression that find a way to make us chuckle.
For a joke to be funny, it must rely upon some prior knowledge, a cultural reference point or anchor. The punch line of the joke must be unexpected and delivered with great care. Comedy performers tirelessly rehearse their acts to perfect the timing of their jokes to extract the most laughter. Even though many rehearse, there are still a few who are just naturally funny and can spawn jokes from a seemingly limitless bag of humor.
Comedy is an art that relies upon getting a feel for the audience and many comedians, including Dave Chappelle, started their careers by being booed off stage at comedy clubs couple of times first. A good performer has the audience on the edge of their seat, hanging on every word, engaged and alert at the next laugh, and isnt afraid of testing the waters.
Comedians aren’t necessarily born (although many argue that Eddie Murphy was!) – most are created through hard work. Some are passionate about comedy through their personal struggles and this comes out in the performance, as Richard Pryor famously illustrated by making a comedy routine from his heart attack.
There’s a fantastic place that you can study and watch these famous comedians mentioned alongside comedians from all over the world. Its called Live Comedy Videos and its just started.
The creators of the site found that watching stand up comedy on sites like YouTube and Google Videos was difficult and not intuitive, so they created this site as a resource for anyone interested in the art of stand up comedy. You can select comedians by country and watch many of the videos in HD. The creators say that they are listing over 700 comedians and expect to have over 5000 videos online to stream, watch and browse by the time the site is complete. But you can get a sneak peek right now at http://www.livecomedyvideos.com.
The only way to learn about what makes a good laugh, is to do it yourself!
So visit Live Comedy Videos and find out what makes you laugh right now.
By: llonsnetwork
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Read more on Find Yourself through Laughter – How the Stand Up Comedy Professionals do it…
Filed under Humor by on Jan 23rd, 2010.
Many small towns and mid sized cities no longer have a comedy club many comedy and many fans are missing out on some great stand up comics. There is a new web site that offers top headlining stand up comedy clips for free.
You will have to supply your own beverages and nachos but you can enjoy great comedy at home or at the office (we wont tell) right in front of your computer. While it is not the same experience as a live comedy club show on a Saturday night it is still great comedy.
The talent on this site is second to none and there is no two item minimum. Oh and no one will tell if you start heckling your computer. Check it out for laughs from comics like:
Carl LaBove is a master at physical comedy and was Sam Kinisen’s best friend and
Opening act. His smart and funny stand up is second to none. As he delivers his killer material he acts out much of it. Carl is like stand up and a theater all rolled up into one very talented performer.
Ben Creed started out at Dangerfields in New York City. His gravely voice and dead on delivery has made him a comedy club favorite. Ben’s take on the world is your ticket to a hilarious night of comedy.
Billy D Washington is known as the smoothest man in comedy. He blends great stand up comedy with amazing keyboards to become one of the most sought after headliners working. Take a look at his video clips to find out why. He has been seen on numerous late night television shows as well as last comic Standing.
John Padon has found a comfortable home on the Las Vegas strip where he performs his stand up at a number of locations. John started in the 80’s and has been seen on all the major cable comedy shows. He has been the star of a number of Vegas shows and can seen there currently.
JR Brow has wowed audiences with his guitar licks around the country for years. This multi talented act blends his music with his unique comedy style to deliver killer comedy.
Carline Picard is the Cajun Queen of comedy. Carline takes no prisoners with her no nonsense material. She tells it like it is with a very funny twist on the world we live in. She has her own unique style and serves up comedy with a spicy kick.
If you get the chance to see these talented comics live go see them. You will have a great time. In the mean time enjoy some laughs with killer comedy on line. Enjoy the show.
By: Mark Doyle
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Read more on See Top Stand Up Comedians on the New Online Comedy Club…
Filed under Humor by on Feb 5th, 2009.