Secrets to Becoming a Clean Stand-up Comedian
Many new comedians grace the stage with full intent of delivering a clean show. They take the showcase stage at comedy clubs like
Zanies Comedy Club,
The Laugh Factory,
Up Comedy Club or
The Improv and attempt to deliver clean comedy. By performing clean comedy, whether they be
funny female comedians or male clean comedians they are then able to pursue the goal of someday performing solo as a
clean corporate comedian.
1) Performing clean comedy means there should be no use of swear words, no offensive set-ups and no offensive punchlines. It is important not to embarrass or offend as a
corporate comedian. An offended audience leads to complaints to human resources. Repetitive complaints may develop into real problems for the company hosting the
corporate event. Violating the rules of "clean" will result in loss of trust, reputation and bookings.
2) Be aware of your own interpretation of
clean comedy. "Clean" should not be a product of your own subjective interpretation. New talent today takes its direction from
Comedy Central where there are no limits on topics and vocabulary. A new comic often believes if he simply "cleans up his act" by cleaning up his four letter words, the goal of clean comedy has been accomplished. I've seen club owners shaking their heads in dismay as they watch a new talent use every word but the "f" bomb and think they've achieved clean.
Subject matter that is truly "clean" is a topic that you could deliver one-on-one to your Aunt Clara in front of her bridge club. This is assuming your aunt was never a member of Hell's Angels or senior cook on a ship. Topics involving family, sports, children, husbands, wives and corporate life are all fair game. Any talk of sex must be approached with extreme caution. After all, would you feel comfortable talking about sex to your Aunt Clara?
3) "Customized humor" is a good way to go if you want strong laughs that hit close to home for a corporate audience. Customizing humor involves researching the company's background and core interests prior to taking the stage. Although individuals can also be singled out as fodder, it is very effective to read from the company's handbook or muse over their graphs and charts. Where there has been pain, there is gain in the laugh department.
If you want to write clean, turn off the TV and think back to your childhood. What was right and what was wrong in dialogue with adults? These thoughts will be your guide. Writing clean material is a very difficult challenge when creating a new routine but taking the high road will lead to respect among your peers and admiration from you corporate audience.
http://humorousspeakersbureau.com Sally Edwards is the president of The Humorous Speakers Bureau marketing corporate comedians and funny keynote motivational speakers.
http://sallyedwards.org - Laugh to Good Health
http://comedybysally.com - Clean Corporate Comedy
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