Stand-Up: A Listicle

“This shirt is ‘dry-clean only’...which means it's dirty.”⁠— Mitch Hedberg

When I undertook this project, in the back of my mind, this voice kept telling me that I needed to address the connections between anecdotes and Stand-Up Comedy. I couldn’t shake the themes of reality that reveal themselves through Who is America? but also through the anecdotes found within Stand-Up. Many notable comedians influenced the creation of this project. Anecdotes shared through comedy allow for us to identify with others through humor. Often, the bits we find the funniest are the ones we relate to the most. While comedy is often known for its divisive nature, it also offers opportunities for unification through shared experiences. I think the rhetorical processes behind comedic anecdotes are fascinating because they teach us in ways that academia often misses. Stand-Up may remind us that the most memorable life experiences can be turned into laughs depending on our perspectives. Below is a list of videos from comedians whose anecdotes have influenced and continue to influence my work: