I'm not a stand-up fan, for the most part. There are very rare exceptions, for e.g. I will happily watch Jim Carrey, almost as happily watch Chris Rock, and will gasp at the outrageousness of Tim Minchin (but he does music so he's a different matter entirely). But for the most part I really can't stand stand-up. And it's not just a matter of dislike, either - it's almost like I have a fear of it. If I switch the TV channel and land on a stand-up show, I will stab at the remote with a desperation I can't really explain until I've got myself safely to a new channel.
There have been shows that I've found painful to watch because they're so cringeworthy - like the UK version of The Office. Don't get me wrong, I think that show is brilliant, but I actually physically cannot watch it. Stand-up is different - it's cringeworthy but for all the wrong reasons. I get this almost claustrophobic feeling while watching most stand-up, like the walls are closing in and I just want to run screaming. I'm fully aware that it makes no sense to be almost scared of stand-up, but I'm also fully aware that it's real.
Most people I know like a bit of stand-up, and there are comedians they'd drop everything in their lives to go and see. But for my part, I'd almost rather get up in front of a huge crowd of people and have their eyes all on me (one of my biggest fears is public speaking) than have to sit through a stand-up routine. I just find stand-up so incredibly awkward and I can think of very little more boring than spending an evening watching DVDs of stand-up.
So there you go - you learned something new about me. :)
OMG I had just posted a whole thing and then hit the sign out button instead of publish. I am so done with this new redesign. UGH.
ReplyDeleteI can't even remember my whole point anymore because now the Ambien has kicked it and I've already forgotten my name!!!
Maybe it'll come back to me tomorrow.... So sorry...
But I can remember, that I totally agreed with you and I understood why you felt that way.
Everyone likes, dislikes or fears something. I don't watch a lot of stand up comedy but I do like it.
ReplyDeleteSorry stand up comedy does that to you. I admit, I really like it, and enjoy going to shows.
ReplyDeleteI don't watch much stand-up because so much of it seems to filled with obscenity, like the comedian is trying to gross me out. Can't they be funny without using the f*** word in every sentence? Give me George Carlin or Gallagher any day.
ReplyDeletehaha wow there is an original phobia
ReplyDeleteThis makes me wonder if you've ever seen anybody really embarrass themself at stand-up, which might be way. If I were a fan, what I'd fear is being picked on my the comedian. That can be painful to watch.
ReplyDeleteI find it hard to watch the UK version of The Office too. Stand-up is great, but I do tend to find women comedians harder to watch - most of them just aren't that funny, but act as though they are.
ReplyDeleteWell, that's interesting. I'm a big fan of stand up, but I also get your feelings too. That icky feeling you get in the pit of your stomach when you just feel like something is really wrong. I got that vibe from the UK version of the office too. There a several comedies that do that to me, most of them involve Rick Gervais in some way too. Go figure.
ReplyDeleteI don't like anything that is embarrassing either. Now, when something is truly funny, I love to laugh. But awkward funny isn't for me either.
ReplyDeleteSome stand up comedy is not really comedy. There's far too much poking fun at people that wouldn't be acceptable in 'real' life. I mean the type of racist slurs etc some so-called comedians think is cool. Not to mention the sexism and downright filth. The extent of the stand up i like is Seinfeld.
ReplyDeleteWhen George Carlin was still alive I went and seen him perform. He was pretty funny. I also love Eddie Murphy.
ReplyDeleteThe most absolute brilliant stand-up comedian is Jerry Seinfeld, IMO. He is hilarious.
ReplyDeleteStand-up is cringeworthy when the comedian is bad. For me, that's when they usually resort to toilet humor. That's when I start to feel sorry for the performer and start looking for the exit door.
I can take it or leave it for the most part. Though, I will admit, I haven't seen a whole lot. But I find with a few drinks and some good friends, like stand-up can be fun :)
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
I got here by Googling 'phobia stand up comedy' - I'm so glad I'm not alone!
ReplyDeleteI'm supposed to go to a comedy club as part of my friend's hen's night (bachelorette party) this Saturday, and it's just not going to happen. I feel a borderline choking sensation at the very idea! I generally don't like the unknown aspect of what's coming at me, plus the 'live' element which turns the awkwardness potential in the whole room up to a galactic level. I must admit, this is partly due to being present at some *appalling* stand-up gigs in the past, against my volition.
Occasionally I'll watch "Live at the Apollo" on TV with my boyfriend, as a kind of exposure therapy, but this is on the strict understanding that we change it immediately if it gets cringey. However, the standard on that show is generally very high; it's going to take years before I can bring this kind of approach to a live environment.
Sorry if I am totally enabling an irrational and undesired fear response. :) I can recommend the 'Live at the Apollo' treatment if you want to change the status quo!
I wouldn't say it's "enabling" per se - does make me glad I'm not the only one who feels this way, though! LOL. I seem to be the only one who does in my own life, except my mum. Maybe I learned this behaviour from her??
DeleteThanks for the tip re: Live @ the Apollo - maybe if I stumble across it sometime, I'll give it a go. Though more than likely I'd judge it by its format instantly and switch channels. But if I remember the name, maybe I'll have better luck than that. :D