Editing Stand-up comedy (section)

== Audiences ==
[[File:2007 Damon Wayans.jpg|thumb|[[Damon Wayans]] performing in 2007]]
According to Anna Spagnolli, stand-up comedy audiences "are both 'co-constructors of the situation' and 'co-responsible for it{{'"}}.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=2009|title=The Interactional Context of Humor in Stand-up Comedy|author1=Fabiola Scarpetta|author2=Anna Spagnolli|journal=Research on Language and Social Interaction|volume=42|issue=3|pages=210–230|doi=10.1080/08351810903089159|s2cid=143552897 }}{{page range too broad|date=November 2023}}</ref>

In stand-up comedy, an unspoken contract with the audience allows for the exploration of unexpected, controversial, or scandalous subjects. The reception of a joke, whether met with laughter or disapproval, hinges on the audience's understanding of the premise and appreciation of the punchline. A seasoned comic is able to instantly react to the audience's reaction and use it to further the narrative.

Stand-up comedy, distinct from traditional performing arts, features a lone comedian directly engaging the audience. Success hinges on creating spontaneity, fostering intimacy, and deterring heckling.

Part of the appeal of stand up is in appreciation of the skill of the performer, as studies have shown that many people find the idea of standing on stage daunting; research on the subject has consistently found that the [[Glossophobia|fear of public speaking]] is more intense than the [[Death anxiety|fear of dying]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://lovepublicspeaking.org/fear-public-speaking-more-than-death-fear-not-the-audience-only-sees-20-of-your-nerves | title=Fear public speaking more than death? Fear not – the audience only sees 20% of your nerves | date=February 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/speaking-in-public-is-worse-than-death-for-most-5l2bvqlmbnt | title=Speaking in public is worse than death for most | last1=Burgess | first1=Kaya }}</ref>

The audience is integral to live comedy, both as a foil to the comedian and as a contributing factor to the overall experience. The use of [[canned laughter]] in television comedy reveals this, with shows often seeming "dry" or dull without it. Shows may be filmed in front of a live audience for the same reason.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Lockyear|first1=Sharon|last2=Myers|first2=Lynn|date=November 2011|title=It's About Expecting the Unexpected - Live Stand-up Comedy from the Audiences Perspective|url=https://bura.brunel.ac.uk/bitstream/2438/8584/2/Fulltext.pdf|journal=Participations|volume=8|issue=2|pages=165–188|via=on-line Database}}</ref>