Applause breaks are analytical, laughter is primal
What's the pinnacle you can get as a comedian...a really hard laugh or an applause break? I'll take the hard laugh.Applause breaks tend to be more analytical. People give them to you when they think something's really clever or they want to show you they liked something. There's an inherent pause there. People decide to applaud.
Laughter is primal though. A real, deep laugh = there's no choice about it. Laughing like that is a body release, like crying, sneezing, or orgasming. (Feel free to insert your own joke about experiencing all of those at once...actually I think Big Jay already has one.) That seems like a more soulful goal to aspire to.
But yeah, either one will do just fine.
Labels: about standup
Permalink | 12/04/2008
4 Comment(s)
Well said. Save the applause for the musicians.
true, true. but i think the ultimate thrill on-stage is a deep, primal laughter followed by an applause break... that's really the best of both worlds :D
Hey, Matt! It was great having you at ChUC again. I keep meaning to tell you that Sandpaper Suit is a great website, and in particular I love posts like this one.
Thanks Elizabeth. Appreciate it. And ChUC was fun as always. See ya soon.