Reasons Comedians Don’t Watch Other Comedian’s Stand Up

• Lori Palminteri
• Uncategorized
• March 22, 2023

Years ago I wrote a blog about what was hack material in the comic world. It made some people defensive. So let’s do it again, shall we! But this time, let’s talk about comics who don’t watch other comedians.

Some comedians don’t watch other people’s comedy specials. Some don’t even like to watch other comic’s in the room. I even have met comics who don’t watch sitcoms. Sitcoms! Sitcoms are one of my reasons for living and at times in my life, the sole reason for living. These comedians who put on blinders will have a ton of excuses as to why this is… mostly they are in denial and justifying something untrue.

The greats, from David Letterman to Chris Rock, have said in numerous interviews how they would spend hours at comedy clubs watching other comics. That being around comedy and watching it habitually makes you a student. And being a student of anything is the only way to become a master.

Now, I don’t mean every comic should watch entire shows or every special that comes out. Certainly you are going to pick and choose. And you should! But certainly you shouldn’t act like you’re the only comedian that matters in the movie you’re the star of in your own head.

So why do some comics stop watching… comedy? Let me enlighten you…

1. They’re just not that good. Not only are they not good but they are super insecure. Pretty much all comedians are insecure (to varying degrees), but the comedian who fears watching another comic who has better takes, either is not willing to put in the work or not capable. Though you’ll never be capable if you don’t put in the work. And that work involves watching comedy. Yes. It’s ironic.
2. They are a hack. A quick way to find out if you’re a hack is to watch a lot of comedy. Are there a lot of other comedians doing jokes similar to yours? You may be a hack. Do you do a Viagra joke? You are definitely a hack. [here’s a comprehensive list of hack] Anything can be joked about, especially something everyone is talking about. However, it’s the take that makes it funny. If I watch a comic that has a bit similar to mine, I change it or drop it.
3. They’re jealous. Jealousy and bitterness are more common in the comedy world than masturbation jokes. And that’s quite a lot. A lot of comics can’t bring themselves to watch another comic’s special or set because if they believe they’re better than the comic they’ll be angry it isn’t them, or if the special is good they’ll be mad it’s not them, or they don’t get as much work and blah, blah, blah— yes, it’s annoying when someone who didn’t pay their dues gets big breaks, but remember YOUR life will be better if you know how to be happy for others.
4. They don’t really love comedy, they just want to be famous. You would assume that anyone pursuing stand-up is obsessed with comedy. In a way, you must be so obsessed, you’re borderline insane, as you are basically gambling your entire future on a wildly unlikely career. While more common in LA, it does become obvious after some time that there are some people in this just because they want to be famous (and desperately need attention) and would like to be TikTok stars for being famous for nothing.
5. They may be a thief. Beware of comics who “don’t watch other people’s comedy” because I’ve found that those same comics are often joke thieves. And they know it. When they watch you they are gathering jokes for the road. Them not watching another comic might simply mean they don’t want to be tempted to steal from them.
6. They are not team players. While it’s true stand-up is not a team sport (improv is and everyone knows improv kids are mad annoying), that doesn’t mean that comics won’t be your biggest allies in this business. If you’re the person who only cares about yourself and you don’t cheer on your brothers and sisters in comedy, you’re just a jerk.
7. They’re burnt out. At some point, all comics (and everyone in any field) will experience burn out. This is normal. So it makes sense a comedian will take breaks from ingesting hours of comedy, especially the longer they do it. However, if that break turns into months, turns into years… it may be a good idea to question if the relationship one has with comedy is still a good one. Why stay in a business that’s so difficult and pays so little with no future security for something you no longer love?

Sure, when I watch comedy sometimes, I get bored. Sometimes I get a little envious that I’ve been turned down so many times by so many different tv shows. Sometimes it reminds me that I need to work harder. Sometimes I watch it non stop. Then take a break from watching it a lot. But I always have watched a lot of comedy and I believe I always will. It makes me laugh. It make me happy. I am still that little girl in front of the TV set at my parents house, sitting as close as possible to the TV, with a bowl of ice cream in my hand, laughing and wondering how anyone could be so clever. Not for a second thinking one day that could be me.