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COUNTERING CANCEL CULTURE [EP. 240]

Release Date: 05/15/2021

School Of Laughs

It started in July of 2014 and has run the course of over 255 episodes. If you have a question about stand-up comedy we have covered it on this podcast. So as we wrap, where do you go from here?

GOALS TRACKER WORKSHEET EPISODE [EP. 254]

School Of Laughs

Today we focus on the year ahead. What are you trying to accomplish moving forward? Yes, it's the annual goals tracker worksheet episode! You can download the Goals Tracker Worksheet .pdf by visiting www.schooloflaughs.com and clicking on the GOALS TRACKER tab.

MARKETING TIPS FOR COMICS WITH TRACY DeGRAFF [EP. 253]

School Of Laughs

Sharing marketing tips for comics is the one and wonderful Tracy DeGraff. After penning her first book, "Laugh Anyway Mom", Tracy took classes at The Second City in Chicago hoping to take her stories to the comedy stage.

17 SHOWS IN 27 DAYS - LESSONS LEARNED [EP. 252]

School Of Laughs

I just wrapped up 17 shows in 27 days. I am still learning after 31 years! Sometimes I think those qualities are more important than talent. Probably not, but they help! Nevertheless, this episode is chock full of comedy lessons learned during the 17 events performed.

COMEDY WIN-WIN OPPORTUNITIES WITH CHESTER GOAD [EP. 251]

School Of Laughs

Today I am discussing comedy win-win opportunities with Chester Goad. I met Chester a few years ago at the BIG PODCAST conference with David Hooper. We've been in the loop ever since. During the past 18 months, we've spent many hours on coaching calls. Sometimes it is spent developing material, or creating a game plan. And always, trying to find win-win opportunities to develop his stage time and material.

CREATING A COMEDY CD with BRIAN KOHATSU [EP. 250]

School Of Laughs

Have you thought about CREATING A COMEDY CD? Brian Kohatsu joins us today to talk about a project that had been on his list for roughly 5 years. Coivd gave him time to finally knock it out and he knocked it out of the park!

FREQUENTLY ASKED COMEDY QUESTIONS [EP. 249]

School Of Laughs

Do you struggle with memorizing your jokes? Have you ever had problems with your voice during a show? What are the pros and cons of using props or musical instruments on stage?

GETTING STARTED with CHRIS RUPPE [EP. 248]

School Of Laughs

We cover ...

LONG LIVE JEANNE ROBERTSON [EP. 247]

School Of Laughs

In July of 2017, I had a great time talking with Jeanne Robertson. We discuss a career that started in the late ’60s and has carried her into the 2020s.

BOUNCING BACK, BO BURNHAM & BITS [EP 246]

School Of Laughs

In today's episode, Jonnie W. & Brian Bates join me. We discuss how the comedy scene is bouncing back, the latest Bo Burnham special, and how changing one line in a joke can take it to newer and sometimes better places.

More Episodes

“Cancel Culture” is a term that has become more prevalent. In the world of comedy, it’s one step further down the path of political correctness. Today we talk about what it is, how it affects comedy, and what comedians can do to neutralize its invasion of our art form.

Webster defines cancel culture as “a way of behaving in society or group, especially on social media, in which it is common to completely reject and stop supporting someone because they have said or done something that offends you.”

But here’s here is the thing. Stand-up comedy specifically is your opinion, your thought, and your attempt to make somebody laugh. That’s what standup comedy is. It’s your opinion, your thought, your attempt to make somebody laugh. And that is important. It should be about trying to get people to laugh.

Standup comedy is an art form with its primary focus on generating laughs, but it has evolved over time into an art form that can also be used to address social issues, advance one’s agenda, or potentially lead others to change their thought or alter their beliefs.

And then evolution is the tricky part because that’s what is rubbing up against the edges of cancer culture because now you’re taking your belief system and challenging someone else’s or challenging someone else’s with yours, and you start taking a stance against things. That tension can lead to some friction, some push back.

We tackle this evolutionary overlap in today’s episode.

COUNTERING CANCEL CULTURE

Specifically, we talk about:

The definition of comedy and cancel culture
What causes people to be offended
How comedians leave themselves vulnerable to it
What comics can do to prevent attacks
The reason you need to know your target in a joke
Different types of targets
“The Planet is Fine” routine by George Carlin
How to back up your opinions like George Carlin
What I think about Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Why you should work on your craft
What Jon Stewart thinks about Thanksgiving
How assumption and cancel culture go hand in hand

And a whole lot more!

(c)(p) 2021 The Rik Roberts School of Laughs

COUNTERING CANCEL CULTURE

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