Stand-Up Comedy and Politics

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Is it possible to dislike a stand-up comedian? I suppose so. But if too many people dislike a stand-up, they would no longer be a successful comedian.

But, I think it is so hard to shame a stand-up comedian or to break them in an interview. The character of a comic has to come across as genuine for them to be good at their job. They have to be someone one can relate to.

But what has fascinated me the most today as I watched videos of several comedians (Russell Peters, Chris D'elia, Kevin Hart, Joe Rogan) is that they are almost always dominant in a social setting, particularly in interviews. The comics have a voice that one always wants to listen to, and they know that. They have the power to laugh at a question or to redirect any heat from an interviewer back at them. They sometimes straight up "roast" the interviewer.

Interestingly enough, this seems to be a trait that popular politicians possess. The one that most readily comes to mind is Obama. I get that his involvement in politics undoubtedly turns many people against him. But at a personal level, his trustworthy voice and sense of humor is one that can capture the attention of the audience and also convince them that what he is saying is reasonable.

Just like being a politician, being a stand-up comic is a tough job. Your success cannot be sugar coated. If no one laughs at you while you are a comic, you have failed at your job. Period. While those who are successful grow in popularity, are humiliated less in the social setting of the theater, and can become more comfortable about their competence, those who don't succeed at comedy are humiliated.

It feels terrible to tell a joke and receive no laugh or commendation. Especially around strangers. It is a result that causes one to lose confidence. It seems that there is certainly a dominance hierarchy when it comes to stand-up comedy (though a non-confrontational one), just as there exists a dominance hierarchy on political debate stages, where each politician tries to win the heart and following of the most people.

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