Comic's Arsenal

Fun Facts About Stand-Up Comics

• Many stand-up comedians began their careers as writers for sketch comedy shows and TV sitcoms. Like Richard Pryor who co-wrote two episodes of Sanford and Son (1972–1978).
• Open mic nights are considered the "comedy gym" where performers test out new material and work on their stage presence. It's also where they either develop thick skin and learn to recover from deafening silence, or go get a job in retail instead.
• No two stand-up comics are alike. While some meticulously craft and rehearse each word of a joke (Jerry Seinfeld), others thrive on the chaos to give explosive improvisation (Robin Williams).
  
• Comedy albums once commanded blockbuster sales. At the height of his stand-up career, Bill Cosby won six consecutive Grammy Awards for Best Comedy Album (1965–1970).
• Many comics launched their careers from a breakout performance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962–1992). These include Jerry Seinfeld, Eddie Murphy, Jay Leno, David Letterman, Drew Carey, and Robin Williams.
• Many stand-up comedy specials are recorded over multiple shows and edited together to create the best "single" performance. This allows the editors to select the best delivery of every joke and fix technical issues or flubs if any crop up.
• Comedy clubs often flash a small red LED light at the back of the room when a comic has one minute left.
• Stand-up comedy is one of the most vulnerable art forms. Unlike actors or musicians, comics perform as themselves on stage. Their personality is the act.