Some great comics have sat down while performing. But unless you’re bringing some real Patrice/Big Jay energy (let’s not go there with Cosby), it’s probably best to keep it moving (or at least stand up). After all, this is a visual medium too.
Here’s Neal Brennan on the visual side of doing standup:
I remember Jerrod Carmichael points out that I said to him at one point about his act. This is I don’t know 10 years ago. And it’s kind of based on a thing that Chris Rock would say a lot, which is like this isn’t radio. It’s why Eddie Murphy moves so much. Because he’s like, give people something to look at. So the set behind me is expensive as hell. It changes colors. And then I do the framing bit, and then for the commercials, for the religious attack ads, I do the commercials. I try to make it more than just a man standing, talking, like more than a podcast.
I’m competing, we’re all competing with everything. So this idea of like, no, you should watch me sit. No, I’m not good enough to watch sit. I need every bell and whistle I can possibly throw with people ’cause I’m not. I need help. And I’m not afraid, I’m not like ashamed to say like, no, no, no, I want visuals and it’s also just, you know, most of these things end up as clips anyway.
A related thing that’s underrated: Facial expressions. Smile, smirk, and/or give ‘em that twinkle-in-the-eye thing. It can make any “medicinal” jokes easier to swallow since they’ll know you’re just joking.
This is an interesting perspective. But I have to think of how many of the early greats (Bob Hope, Henny Youngman, even Bob Newhart) just stood there holding a microphone. Jack Benny's only movement was to put his violin under his chin. But he was a master of using his face to get a laugh.
I'm not saying you're wrong - you're not! I just think that movement style could be seen as just one tool. An important one, sure, but maybe not central. Then again, maybe the old styles wouldn't work the same today.
dear matt,
great quotes from brennan!
i love this: "I’m not good enough to watch sit. I need every bell and whistle I can possibly throw with people ’cause I’m not."
re: this: "Smile, smirk, and/or give ‘em that twinkle-in-the-eye thing. It can make any 'medicinal' jokes easier to swallow since they’ll know you’re just joking." <-- the phrase "just joking" always rankles me a little, because i don't think it ever IS "just" joking, you know? maybe this is semantic nitpicking (my wheelhouse!) but i think the phrase minimizes the power and function of joking. you know? JUST saying.
thanks for sharing as always! love you!
love
myq