Comments

Jerome Chandrahasen May 5th, 2010

Its probably related to the form right? No fourth wall means its not like a theatrical monologue but a one sided conversation, and anyone who dominates a conversation or has to employ techniques to continuously hold the turn for an hour has the possibility of appearing smug or arrogant. Discourse analysts would have a field day. The confidence/arrogance line is pretty thin too methinks.

And 'lowest of the low'? Poor choice John! (Sorry, couldn't help it.)

John Smythe May 5th, 2010

It’s all about how they face the fear, I reckon. What comes across as smugness and arrogance could well be masking diametric opposites.

Others may be trading on privately-held non-PC opinions and prejudices that people hiding out in like-minded groups love to hear articulated. Then there is the ‘ganging up on minorities’ mentality, be it an individual in the audience – my least favourite version of audience interaction – or a sector of society (dwarf/midget so-called jokes are the lowest of the low). 

I’m not in the least bit surprised that those who may come across as smug and arrogant on stage are lovely people in ‘real life’. And I whole-heartedly agree that it is refreshing to encounter shows that find their humour in different ways that are finally life-affirming.

When it comes to solo comedy I find I’m drawn to the classical elements of personal clowning: innocence, vulnerability, gullibility, fallibility, pathos …  But that’s just me.

Hannah Smith May 5th, 2010

Hi Brendhan

I apologise if my comment offended you at all, not my intention.  It is a generalisation, and one that I wouldn’t expand on in a 300-word review, but since you ask I am happy to do so.  From my ‘outsiders point of view’ (eg the audience) many stand ups come across as brash and cocky – it seems (to me) to go with the territory. 

By ‘world of stand up comics’ I mean the world that, I, as an audience member am invited to see. It’s a world I’ve been seeing a lot of over the last week, but one that I am not a part of during the rest of the year.  I don’t know all these comedians personally; I can only know their stage personas. Their family lives are of interest to me only so much as in how they inform their show.

It takes a lot of balls to stand up in front of a room full of people with the express intention of entertaining them for an hour.  Perhaps for this reason (you tell me, you’re the practitioner) many comedians come across as either smug or arrogant.  Or both.

Hannah

brendhan lovegrove May 5th, 2010

and yes,my spelling is really bad.bla bla

brendhan lovegrove May 5th, 2010

nice review.she is indeed very funny.

i like your coment on comics being smug and arrogant.it may seem that way from an outsiders point of view, however,i have been doing stand up for longer than i have been alive and i must say the one thing ive always enjoyed about it is the deversity of the people who do it.im sure there are some who are smug and arrogant,like any job but ive worked with comics who by day are doctors,lawyers,house wives,unemployed,nuts,freaks,actors,labourers,students and in all cases there just people with one thing in common,stand up.stand up comedy brings alot of very different people together,and most i find ,lack any amount of smugness or arrogance.

"the world of stand up comedy"who are you talking about here?i would love to know.bill bailey?cant be, hes a lovely chap.rhys darby?family man.steve coogan?woody allen?ben hurley?nah wont be him,hes a good bloke and about to be a dad.

we are just people trying to earn a buck out of something we love.there is nothing smug knowing you are only as good as your NEXT gig i can assure you.

i ,for the most part,have found comics to be some of the most delightful people ive ever met,not smug or arrogant at all.

you may have generalised here a bit,but you get that "in the world of blog reviewing"

lovegrove