Is stand up comedy still popular?

[jack25 13]

It feels that the comedy posts are shifting, with a lot more scrutiny and a desire for this art form to get more socially conscious. Political comedy isn't what it was back then plus there is heightened awareness now, than ever before. Is it time for comedians to change tact?

[DandyMandy 25]

I think our tastes in comedy are always changing, just as it does with other forms of entertainment. Stand-up comedy is still going strong. The UK has some hilarious comedians at the moment, but if you aren't a citizen there, you have to catch much of it on YouTube. Check out Michael McIntyre for instance.

[whaleshark 4]

I don't know if comedy acts (at least in the US) ever got near the crowds of popular musicians or movie premieres. I'm thinking they do better on streaming services.

[lymmo 8]

I agree with you @DandyMandy about our taste in comedy always changing, but it seems like the successful stand-up comedians talk about real-life issues. Look at how Michael McIntyre humorously talks about the fridge? Again, is it always me who feels like all these comedians speak fast?

[Boomer 8]

I saw the new Azia Ansari show on Netflix. He talked about social subjects, but maybe he felt pressure to do so because of what happened — and he talked about that, too. It seems most topics are still okay to talk about onstage, but not women's bodies (if the comedian's male) or racial joking (if not the comedian's race).

[didge 11]

To me, the issue of race is more sensitive and is most likely bound to make any audience uncomfortable. Stand-up comedy has been around for a while, but I don't see an end to it anytime soon.

[Rambler 3]

I'm watching Crashing on HBO. It's a pretty recent semi-autobiography about a comedian who splits from his wife and most of his religion. It doesn't get into social issues, but the daily struggles of trying to "make it" connect, IMO.

[headrush 8]

It seems like standup is half-tame and half-controversial much if not all the time. Dave Chappelle, Ali Wong, and Sarah Silverman come to mind, in addition to others named here.