Stand-up comedy is a kind comedy performed in front of live audiences, speaking directly to them. The performer can be called as a comic, stand-up comic, stand-up comedian, or simply a stand-up. In stand-up comedy, the comic usually recites a fast-paced succession of humorous stories, short jokes called bits, and one-liners, which constitute what is typically called a monologue, routine or act.
Stand-up comedy is often performed in comedy clubs, bars, neo-burlesques, colleges and theaters, but there are no real restrictions on where the craft can be performed. Stand-up comedy is also performed by professional comedians outside of traditional entertainment venues, such as in country clubs, at corporate events and conferences, as charity fund raising events, even in temples and churches. Many smaller venues hold open mic events, where anyone can take the stage and perform for the audience, offering a way for amateur performers to hone their craft and possibly break into professionalism.
Based on www.the-top-tens.com, the top 5 funniest comics are:
1. Russell Peters. He was born on September 29, 1970. He is an Indo-Canadian comedian, actor and disc jockey. He began performing in Toronto in 1989 and has been nominated for four Gemini Awards.
2. George Carlin. Or George Denis Patrick Carlin (May 12, 1937 – June 22, 2008) was an American stand-up comedian, social critic, satirist, actor and writer/author, who won five Grammy Awards for his comedy albums.
3. Jerry Seinfeld. Born on April 29, 1954, he is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and television and film producer.
4. Mike Ward. Born on September 14, 1973 in Quebec City, Quebec, he is a comedian.
5. Dave Chappelle. Or David Khari Webber "Dave" Chappelle was born on August 24, 1973. He is an American comedian, screenwriter, television/film producer, actor, and artist.
In Indonesia, stand-up comedy has known since a long time ago. Dono, Kasino, Indro are the first generation of stand-up comedy popularity in Indonesia and Taufik Savalas is the second generation. Then, stand-up comedy Indonesia was drowned. There was no new generation of Indonesian comics. It became vacuum for a long time.
Stand-up comedy began to rise in the mid-2011 when an open audition for comics was opened and televised. With the promotion from the two Indonesian celebs, Raditya Dika and Pandji Pragiwaksono, stand-up comedy has made it through social network, Twitter and YouTube. Raditya Dika and Pandji also started doing and promoting stand-up comedy, and also uploading their acts to social networks.
Characteristic of stand-up comedy in Indonesia, there are innuendos that appear in the joke, sarcasm typically theme of politics, culture, education, and can also appear in allusions which aimed at a well-known figure, that's the difference between stand-up comedy Indonesia with other countries.
