A comedian (French: comedienne) or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy. A comedian who addresses an audience directly is called a stand-up comic.
A popular saying, variously quoted but generally attributed to Ed Wynn, is, "A comic says funny things; a comedian says things funny," which draws a distinction between how much of the comedy can be attributed to verbal content and how much to acting and persona.
Since the 1980s, a new wave of comedy, called alternative comedy, has grown in popularity with its more offbeat and experimental style. This normally involves more experiential, or observational reporting, e.g. Alexei Sayle and Malcolm Hardee. As far as content is concerned, comedians such as Tommy Tiernan, Des Bishop and Joan Rivers draw on their background to poke fun at themselves, while others such as Jon Stewart, and Ben Elton have very strong political and cultural undertones. Contemporary comedians include Conan O' Brien and Jonathan Ross.
Trevor Noah (born 20 February 1984) is an award winningSouth African comedian. He has also been a radio DJ, actor and TV host.
Trevor Noah had a small role on the South African soap opera, Isidingo in 2002, when he was 18. He then began hosting his own radio show Noah’s Ark on Gauteng’s leading youth radio station, Yfm. Noah then went on to host an educational program on SABC2 followed by hosting The Real Goboza, a gossip show on SABC1.
Noah dropped his radio show and acting to focus on comedy, and has performed with South African comedians such as Riaad Moosa, Darren Simpson, Marc Lottering, Barry Hilton and Nik Rabinowitz, international comedians such as Paul Rodriguez, Carl Barron and Paul Zerdin, and as the opening act for Gabriel Iglesias in November 2007 and Canadian comedian Russell Peters on his South African tour.
Noah has performed all around South Africa in The Blacks Only Comedy Show, Heavyweight Comedy Jam, the Vodacom Campus Comedy Tour, the Cape Town International Comedy Festival, the Jozi Comedy Festival, and Bafunny Bafunny. His stand up comedy specials include The Daywalker, and Crazy Normal both of which have been released on DVD.
Christopher Julius "Chris" Rock III (born February 7, 1965) is an American comedian, actor, screenwriter, television producer, film producer, and director.
After working as a standup comic and appearing in small film roles, Rock came to wider prominence as as a cast member of Saturday Night Live in the early 1990s. He went on to more prominent film roles, and a series of acclaimed comedy specials for HBO.
He was voted in the US as the 5th greatest stand-up comedian of all time by Comedy Central. He was also voted in the UK as the 9th greatest stand-up comic on Channel 4's 100 Greatest Stand-Ups in 2007, and again in the updated 2010 list as the 8th greatest stand-up comic.
Rock was born in Andrews, South Carolina. Shortly after his birth, his parents moved to Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York. A few years later, they relocated and settled in the working-class area of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. His mother, Rosalie (née Tingman), was a teacher and social worker for the mentally handicapped; his father, Julius Rock, was a former truck driver and newspaper deliveryman. Julius died in 1988 after ulcer surgery. His younger brothers Tony, Kenny and Jordan are also in the entertainment business. His older half-brother, Charles, died in 2006 after a long struggle with alcoholism. Rock has said that he was influenced by the performing style of his paternal grandfather, Allen Rock, a preacher.
Aziz Ansari (born February 23, 1983) is an Indian American actor, writer, and stand-up comedian. He stars as Tom Haverford on the NBC show Parks and Recreation.
Ansari began his career performing standup comedy in New York City during the summer of 2001 while attending New York University. In 2007, he created and starred in the critically acclaimed MTV sketch comedy show Human Giant, which ran for two seasons. This led to acting roles in feature films including Funny People, I Love You, Man, Observe and Report, and 30 Minutes or Less.
In addition to his acting work, Ansari has continued to work as a standup comedian. He released his debut CD/DVD, entitled Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening, in January 2010 on Comedy Central Records, and still tours nationally between acting commitments. In 2010 and 2011, he performed his Dangerously Delicious tour. This tour was self released for download on his website in March of 2012 and debuted on Comedy Central in May of 2012. He is currently performing his third major tour of new material titled, Buried Alive.
Stewart Lee (born 5 April 1968) is an English stand-up comedian, writer and director. He made his name in the mid 1990s as one half of the radio duo Lee and Herring, a popular success followed through with extensive touring to built up a loyal live following. He gave up comedy in the early 2000s when he became disillusioned by the business and believed he was doomed to be a cult act with limited appeal who had reached the extent of any potential audience. Lee returned to stand up after co-writing and co-directing the surprise mock Broadway hit Jerry Springer - The Opera. Since then he has returned to the live circuit and though BBC and C4 specials and series, has rebuilt a niche audience and a reputation as an anti populist, anti "after the pub" comedian.
He remains a significant voice in UK stand up despite his refusal to appear on the panel shows that have seen many of his contemporaries eclipse him in ticket sales, if not critical acclaim. Although Lee's audience figures are comparatively low, he usually tours to 400-600 capacity venues and standing outside the comedy mainstream, he is well regarded by critics and has been a regular pundit on BBC political programming. In December 2011 he won the award for best male television comic for his series Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle which also won best comedy entertainment programme at the 2011 British Comedy Awards. A 2009 article in The Times referred to him as "the comedian's comedian, and for good reason" and named him "face of the decade". His stand-up features frequent use of "repetition, call-backs, nonchalant delivery and deconstruction", a device he jokingly ascribes to his tedious, exacting middle-class persona.
Plot
In a relaxed, humorous atmosphere, Simon presents a collection of artists at varying states of their professional journeys. Not necessarily famous but people who have been forced to make choices to follow the fire that drives them to eventually make a happy comfortable living from their chosen. The interviews will explore a list of themes all relevant to following one's dreams so that instead of looking at their achievements we explore the mechanics and individual psychology that got them there. It will explore artist's journey in finding a balance between artistic integrity and making a living, or artistic integrity and being successful beyond their dreams. The troubles and tribulation of the artist within their family, were they supportive? Society... is it supportive? Is it easier to be an artist in Australia or abroad? And, if you were starting again, what would you do differently?
Plot
In his new film, director and acclaimed documentary filmmaker Christopher Hines (The Butch Factor, The Adonis Factor) sheds light on why many gay men have the desire to be in long-term relationships, but sometimes find it difficult to make them work. "I think the film provides a lot of answers, with the help of psychologists, authors, and matchmakers, along with couples who have made it work, " Hines said. "The film also poses the ultimate question: Are you looking to get laid, or are you looking to fall in love?" The film, which premiered at film festivals around the world, also follows several guys as they use every means at their disposal, from phone apps and internet sites to old-fashioned bar hopping, in search of their soul mate. The film digs deep into gay men's hearts to discover what's preventing them from finding lasting love.
Plot
The film philosophical approach at redemption. The protagonist Manual Jordan has gotten parole from a life sentence for the murder of Abner Easley, and returns to the city he lived in to try to seek redemption. He ends up living and working at a community house run by a preacher, Miles Evans. The film is equipped with beautiful voice-overs about the meaning of life and different philosophies for getting redeemed. Manual also becomes friends with Adele Easley, his victims sister, in an attempt to make up for what he did. While working at the home he has interactions with Sofia Mellinger, the druggie daughter of a famous singer, struggling with the lack of adult guidance in her life.
Keywords: activist, african-american, armed-robbery, atonement, attempted-robbery, aunt-nephew-relationship, basketball, being-followed, black-american, blonde
Manuel Jordan: I read a book that was written in the 11th century. A man said that there was five steps toward making amends. The first involved acknowledging what you did. The second involved remorse. The third involved making right with your neighbor. Like if you stole his chicken, you'd have to go and bring him another. Only then were you able to go to step four, which was making it right with God. But it wasn't until step five that you could really get redeemed. It had to do with being at the same place and the same situtation. That as it goes, you'd go and do something different. Only I can't bring Abner Easely back like he was some stolen chicken. Certainly made sure of that 23 years ago. And I don't believe in some God that's gonna open His arms to me even if I did. So there goes steps three and four. And as for step five, time makes sure we're never in the same place twice, no matter how much we wish it. Which is why, for me, I know I'll never be redeemed.
Miles Evans: For pay, I got a room at a hundred dollars a month, which you can work down to nothing if you'll help with cleaning.::Manuel Jordan: What makes you think I need a room?::Miles Evans: God told me. You're carrying your damn suitcase, man.
Miles Evans: You think God talks to me? We argue maybe, but He don't participate. It's all right. I'll see Him one day. When I do, I'm gonna whip His holy ass.
[Manuel notices a photo of Adele's brother]::Adele Easley: My brother. He's a statistic.::Manuel Jordan: I'm sorry.::Adele Easley: I know. Everybody is.
Sofia Mellinger: You smell like sex.::Manuel Jordan: Well, you smell like puke.
Miles Evans: You know, you could get lucky. God might decide to grade you on the curve.::Manuel Jordan: It wouldn't matter either way.::Miles Evans: You don't know what the hell you talking about, do you? Why be afraid of a God that you don't believe in? Oh, I know, it seems like people are making up shit so they can feel good about all the pain, all the cruelty, loss, violence, suffering, death. Famine, bigotry, small-mindedness, repression, depression, oppression. Want me to keep talking? 'Cause I can go on forever with this shit.::Manuel Jordan: No, I get the point.::Miles Evans: The point is: I believe in the lie. Never underestimate its power. Now, as for me, well, I'm lying through my teeth. I'll see you soon.
Manuel Jordan: Abner, put the gun down.::Abner Easley: What the fuck are you doing? Get the fuck out of here.
Miles Evans: I don't need you to believe. I just need you to clean.
Manuel Jordan: Is there justice?::Adele Easley: For criminals, yes. But for the rest of us? Not unless there's a God.::Manuel Jordan: Do you think there is?::Adele Easley: No. Thank God.
Plot
Fresh from the success of his sitcom, comedian Jerry Seinfeld decided to do the unimaginable: he completely retired his stand-up act, electing to start over again by developing entirely new material. "Comedian" follows Seinfeld through this process, as he rehearses in front of small comedy club audiences, meets with fellow comics and finally appears before a national audience.
Keywords: advice, ambition, applause, aspiring-comedian, backstage, bill-cosby, black-leather-jacket, bottled-water, butt-slap, cell-phone
See a man who had everything, who did a show about nothing, try to come up with something.
There are no second acts in American lives. There are, however, a few hecklers.
You'll laugh, you'll cry. And it'll be because you missed the point completely.
If you loved 'Seinfeld', the same guy's in this.
A film about comedy with Jerry Seinfeld
Where does comedy come from?
At last, a film from Miramax that won't win a damn thing.
Jerry Seinfeld swearing. Only in theaters.
It's an excuse to eat candy for 81 minutes.
Without a doubt, the single most horrifying movie you'll ever see. (If you want to be a stand up comedian)
Comedian: The equivalent for a normal person would be to go into work each day in your underwear and try and do your job that you normally do. All of a sudden you can't do anything. That's how a comedian feels when he's doing a new bit.
Comedian: See, I'm not a 100% confident about this stuff and that's what kills me. If you're not 100% behind this you can't sell it.
Comedian: [showing his folders of jokes] If I'm doing a show and being Jewish, I can pull out the Jewish stuff. If I want to do dating, I can do dating.
Comedian: My parents retired to South Florida. They're gone now, but I'll tell you the truth, I have a beef with South Florida. I'll tell you, I don't know what it is. I'm sick about it, bitter. I sent two healthy 65-year old parents to South Florida. 30 years later - dead! I mean what is it, the water, the air - it's a death camp!
Comedian: Last year I thought I had lupus, has that happened to you yet? I was on the bus and I saw an ad, "Chances are that somebody on the bus has lupus." I look around, I'm the only one on the bus.
Comedian: [Pointing to that day's paper] Read this paragraph to me. Right there, now don't touch it.::Montreal Waitress: Oh I'm sorry. "Young standup comedian Orny Adams destroy, is that you? [Orny shows his ID badge] Orny Adams, is that your real name? Get out of town. No mom would name their child Orny Adams.
Comedian: What a cocksucker. He's such a cock, he doesn't know the F-he's talking about.::Other Appearance: Why?::Comedian: I'm going to sit there and let that guy talk to me like that?::Other Appearance: Wasn't, he didn't say anything bad, he just told you to relax. That's what I've been telling you. Just relax. Enjoy what's been happening.::Comedian: I'm going to start doing to what George does just sit there and smile.::Other Appearance: There's nothing he said that I would refute.
Comedian: I was huge. Bigger than life. I could be anywhere in the world. [laughter] [Cut to the airport] Nothing makes sense. I should be at St. Bart's. Nothing makes sense. [Cut back to the stage, in a depressing tone] I'm in a comedy club in Cleveland. [Back to airport] But that's what's working.
Comedian: If I get fired tomorrow, I'm a comic.
Comedian: I have no idea what the curve is, of when it's gonna... feel like it used to feel.::Comedian: When you're killing... you're up there killing, and you're miserable. That's how you'll know.
Plot
A talk show similar in format to those of Jerry Springer, Ricki Lake and Montel Williams. Sensational topics, with guests chosen to maximize the chances of open conflict. One common tactic is to bring on 'surprise' guests that other guests might otherwise refuse to publicly meet with. This tactic backfired once, when a male guest on a 'secret admirers revealed' episode later killed his admirer after discovering, on camera, that it was another man.
Keywords: audience-participation, character-name-in-title, interview, non-fiction
Plot
When Jake LaMotta steps into a boxing ring and obliterates his opponent, he's a prizefighter. But when he treats his family and friends the same way, he's a ticking time bomb, ready to go off at any moment. Though LaMotta wants his family's love, something always seems to come between them. Perhaps it's his violent bouts of paranoia and jealousy. This kind of rage helped make him a champ, but in real life, he winds up in the ring alone.
Keywords: 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, abusive-husband, anger, animal-in-title, arena, arrest, backstage, bar
Jake La Motta: I get ya's both in the ring, I'll give ya both a fuckin' beatin', ya both can fuck each other.
Jake La Motta: [talks about Janiro] I'm gonna open his hole like this. Please excuse my French. I'm gonna make him suffer. I'm gonna make his mother wish she never had him - make him into dog meat... He's a nice, a nice kid. He's a pretty kid, too. I mean I don't know, I gotta problem if I should fuck him or fight him.::Tommy Como: [laughs] You're crazy. Fuck him or fight him.::Salvy Batts: If you're really in love with that fucker, just watch out.::Jake La Motta: By who?::Salvy Batts: Janiro.::Jake La Motta: You mean, you want me to get him to fuck you?::Salvy Batts: Me?::Jake La Motta: Yeah.::Salvy Batts: No, I don't want him to fuck me.::Jake La Motta: I could do that easily.::Salvy Batts: How ya gonna do that?::Jake La Motta: Because I'll get youse both in a ring, I'll give youse both a fuckin' beatin', ya both can fuck each other.::Salvy Batts: I get all full of blood.::Jake La Motta: You're used to that.
Jake La Motta: Friends. They're in a huddle. Big business meeting. By the pool, they sit around and talk. Big deals. They make sure she can hear. Big Man. Get the fuck outta here. Big shot. Get 'em all in a back room, smack 'em around, no more big shot, without his gun. They're tough guys. They're all tough guys.
Joey LaMotta: What are ya thinkin' about? Ya keep lookin'. Where the fuck you going? You're dead! You're married! You're a married man, it's all over. Leave the young girls for me.
Joey LaMotta: She ain't the kind of girl you just fuck and forget about, this girl.::Jake La Motta: Joey, how many times I gotta tell ya? Why're you always cursin' when I'm talkin' to you? Don't do it around me. Do it around your friends.::Joey LaMotta: She's a, the kind of girl you bang and forget about - she's not like that. You gotta spend time with her, get involved, you know...::Jake La Motta: D'you bang her?::Joey LaMotta: No.::Jake La Motta: Tell me the truth.::Joey LaMotta: I just told you the truth. I tell you the truth the first time. You don't have to ask me again. I never do that. I always tell you the truth. If I did it, you would know. I took her out a couple of times.::Jake La Motta: You went out with her and you didn't try to fuck her?::Joey LaMotta: I try to fuck anything.
Joey LaMotta: They only gave him that fuckin' decision because he's goin' in the Army next week. That's the only reason.::Jake La Motta: I knocked him down. I don't know what else I gotta do. I don't know what I gotta do...::Joey LaMotta: You won and they robbed ya! They're miserable because their mothers take it up the fuckin' ass! That's why.::Jake La Motta: I've done a lot of bad things, Joey. Maybe it's comin' back to me. Who knows? I'm a jinx maybe. Who the hell knows?
Jake La Motta: You punch like you take it up the ass.
[Sugar Ray Robinson has just battered Jake La Motta half to death, but Jake has stayed on his feet]::Jake La Motta: You didn't get me down, Ray.
Joey LaMotta: If you win, you win. If you lose, you still win.
Joey LaMotta: [over the phone, when no one answers, not realizing it's Jake calling] Your mother sucks giant elephant dicks!
Plot
A Jewish resort hotel celebrates a pair of longtime customers' fiftieth wedding anniversary by staging an old-fashioned Borscht Belt show replete with singers, dancers, comedians, and impressionists. The show concludes with a fervent musical tribute to the year-old State of Israel. Filmed on location at Young's Gap Hotel in Parksville, New York and includes glimpses of the golf course, tennis matches, calisthenics classes and sunbathers.
Keywords: borscht-belt, dancer, hotel, master-of-ceremony, resort, resort-hotel, singer, variety-show
Hope is a madman's dream
When he finds out he's alone
It's the poison that he takes
It's the cancer in his bones
'Truth or dare' he wispers
Though it knows the ice's too thin
It was hope that killed him
But it were his fingerprints
Somewhere there's someone
Who somehow gets a thrill
Of being perfect with an awful lot of guilt
I never thought it'd come to this that I
Even don't remember what I miss
Little perfect murders come and go
But they never die
Is what she said
'Maybe one day who knows'
For crying out loud, it's just a term
Made for those who end it
And for you who can't confirm
I'm the coat you're wearing
When there's nothing left that fits
I'm what you created
You think there's more but this is it
I know I hurt you
I know I caused you pain
You called me asshole
Too many pictures are staring at me when I sleep
Photographs remind me that I'm just a jealous creep
But it's hard to loose a woman, when she is all you've got
Everyday I shower and try to wash memories away
But they're burned into my skin more and more each day
The mirror doesn't talk but I know he knows a lot
I'll never
I'll never
I'll never love to love again
Sometimes I see your kids, god, they have grown
Their father must be proud to call you his own
He's got a wedding ring, and all I've got is Playboy
Dear Santa, would it be just too much to ask
To stick on 'Mr Perfect's face a jealous looking mask
Hey man, where are you now
Are you alive somehow
I thought you would take the plane
Never to be seen or heard again
Hey man, do you believe
I'm sorry 'cause of your grief
Fuck you I can't rely
On anyone who's word is on stand-by
I thought you thought I did not know
I thought you thought I did not know it
I thought that you thought
I thought you thought I did not know it
Hey man I do confess
I'm happy you're in this mess
This time I'm not your nurse
I only hope it will get worse
I thought you thought I did not know
I thought you thought I did not know it
I thought that you thought
I know it sounds dumb but I get a hard-on
From just sitting here and think
About what you once said : 'Faith is a slice of bread,
Hate is a beer you can't drink'
There was a time, they told,
Fools like me grew old, without knowing what they've killed
But if I don't see by now what is 'lonely'
I probably never will
Don't tell me you did not know
'Cause I told from the start
That I would break your face
If you tried to break my heart
Sometimes I look at women,
But they all look like dollarbills
You're a bank which has been blown up
And I'm waiting 'till it's rebuild
Don't tell me you did not know
'Cause I told from the start
That I would break your face
Temperature's rising
Fever is high
Can't see no future
Can't see no sky
My feet are so heavey
So is my head
I wish I was a baby
I wish I was dead
Cold turkey has got me on the run
My body is aching
Goose-pimple bone
Can't see no body
Leave me alone
My eyes are wide open
Can't get to sleep
One thing I'm sure of
I'm in at the deep freeze
Cold turkey has got me on the run
Cold turkey has got me on the run
Thirty-six hours
Rolling in pain
Praying to someone
Free me again
Oh I'll be a good boy
Please make me well
I promise you anything
And I hate what you told me
'Bout what I think
That it's a black paper
Written on with black ink
Now let me tell you one thing
About what you said
I'd rather die
Than to have you here in my bed
Yeah, try to stand up
While your face is nailed to the floor
Yeah, this is what it's like
To feel what I felt before
But I loved you when you left me
Yes I loved you when you left me
I loved you when you left
Yeah I loved you when you left me
Don't critisize
My 2 packs of smokes a day
You don't even know
How to spell 'ashtray'
I don't like your mother
Don't like her one bit
'Cause she says
Vegetarians are stupid
Yeah, try to stand up
Ooooooh stop
With your feet in the air
And your head on the ground
Try this trick and spin it, yeah
Your head will collapse
But there's nothing in it
And you'll ask yourself
Where is my mind
Where is my mind
Where is my mind
Way out in the water
See it swimmin'
I was swimmin' in the Carribean
Animals were hiding behind the rock
Except the little fish
But they told me, he swears
Tryin' to talk to me to me to me
Where is my mind
Where is my mind
Where is my mind
Way out in the water
See it swimmin' ?
With your feet in the air
And your head on the ground
Try this trick and spin it, yeah
Your head will collapse
If there's nothing in it
And you'll ask yourself
Where is my mind
Where is my mind
Where is my mind
Ooooh
With your feet in the air
And your head on the ground
Ooooh
Try this trick and spin it, yeah
Ooooh
You don't have to say it all again
Whatever happened, I'm sure it was meant to be
I think I'm just to slow
You say you suffer and you don't get any grip
On everything that I prefer to skip
But I am what I am and I am doin' fine
It's not cool to be a guy
Who sometimes laughs and often cries
I don't want to be a man
Whose dreams slipped right through his hands
But that's just me
I don't know nothing about sexual routine
I don't even know what it means
But a man who never tries will never see
It's not cool to be a guy
Who sometimes laughs and often cries
I don't want to be a man
Whose dreams slipped right through his hands
But that's just me
It's not cool to be a guy
Who sometimes laughs and often cries
I don't want to be a man
Whose dreams slipped right through his hands
Love is a name
For a second that puts me in shame
Life is a snapshot
Which was taken by words I forgot
I know I'm naked, I know my soul
I know this being's got a goal
Sometimes I'm broken, Sometimes I'm not
All this is captured in one shot
I laugh, I cry, I don't rely
On what I think about it
How does it feel not to reply
When they say 'Think about it'
Lies are so cheap
But there's life-time guarantee when sold
Still I'm convinced
They are priceless when they're left untold
The moment I'm tired, I will admit
I took this snapshot bit by bit
It can be hated or put in a frame
Waiting is the hardest part
For a doped up worn out heart
It says it's gonna quit
When it's life turns slowly into shit
I feel the mirror laugh
When I whisper it's all I have
Burned down and passed away
I thought we agreed there is nothing left to say
I've met failures like you before
Who want to score like me
I've known them all before
And I've loved failures like you before
Who looked so much like me
And I've known them all before
I know that the day I'll die
Will be the moment I'll stop beautify
The broken mirror and it's razorblade