Quantcast
Real Jobs: Comedian

Real Jobs: Comedian

by Susan Huebert
Jobs People Do | JobsPeopleDo.com

Knock, knock. Who’s there? It’s a comedian.

Do you like to tell jokes? Do your friends and family tell you that you’re funny? If so, you might want to consider becoming a comedian when you grow up.

Telling jokes to make people laugh is only part of what it takes to be a comedian. Finding humour in everyday life is also important. Comedians observe people and try to understand why they act the way they do. Often, they begin by looking at their own lives and finding the humour in what they do and then seeing how it applies to other people. A joke about how the comedian eats popcorn, for example, might make other people think about the funny ways that they eat. All comedians find ways to laugh about everyday life, but some comedians do even more.

Satire is a special kind of comedy that points out people’s weaknesses, usually in a funny way. Often, satire is about politicians, business leaders, or other well-known people. The idea of satire is not just to laugh, but also to change the way people think and act. Rick Mercer is a good example of a Canadian satirist. He began his comedy career in 1994 with This Hour Has 22 Minutes, and he later became known for his own program, the Rick Mercer Report. The program is about current events, political leaders and the ways that people work together.

Not all comedians have their own television programs. Some of them play small parts on other people’s shows, but others perform in clubs, at parties or even restaurants. Most comedians start slowly, maybe by telling a joke or two at a special event and then working their way up to presenting their jokes at a comedy club.

Becoming a comedian basically takes a lot of practice and a sense of humour. Although some comedians take classes to learn the skills they need, most prefer to learn from other entertainers as they work. The main quality that these people need is an ability to talk in front of large groups of people. If you love to be with people and you love to be funny, a career as a comedian might be right for you.

Leave a comment!