+2
When I watch stand up, most of my attention is on the writing (how well the joke is constructed and how original or clever it is) than anything else. I want a joke so well put together and original that when I hear it, I am so impressed by the quality that I don't even have time to laugh, just smile and think "Man, that was great work." I know, I'm strange, haha. I just really appreciate people that love it enough to spend time constructing a joke that's going to blow your mind, as opposed to reciting a funny racist joke that guarantees a chuckle with pretty much any crowd. I love comedians that really work for and EARN the laugh by putting in a lot of thought and creativity. Basic, cookie cutter jokes may be laugh out loud funny because it on a subject/topic that humors you, but they aren't "good" or original.
I also pay close attention to the delivery method. I never want to hear the beginning of the joke and then start thinking about the punch line before its told. After the first couple lines I should be so engrossed in the story that I'm on the edge of my seat, completely focused, waiting to see what you're going to say next. After you start the joke, If my brain even wonders for a split second about anything other than what you're saying in the moment, your delivery has failed to keep my undivided attention, which must happen in order for the joke hit as hard as possible.
There are many different successful styles of delivery, but my personal preference is like sneak attack/plot twist. Basically, I don't want to see it coming at all, but when it finally shows, I want it to be abrupt, quick and hard hitting.
When ya get down to it, there are tons of factors that have a hand in building your very own sense of humor, and there are many different methods to success in comedy. Just like with any other art form, music or film, sometimes you just like what you like because its familiar or something you've thought, said, or done before, or maybe its just purely catchy and entertaining. At the end of the day, the comedian that can tell a story I don't personally relate to and STILL smacks me down with a hard hitting punch line is the comedian I will pay money to see over and over again.
My personal preference shows up in this entire list, but the excellent writing and delivery is what keeps me a fan. They are all great, but The BOLDED comedians are the stand out writers of the group and the underlined comedians deliver flawlessly from start to finish. (in my opinion)
Seth Meyers
Dane Cook
Kevin Hart
Joan Rivers
Robin Williams
Jim Carrey
Jimmy Fallon
Chelsea Handler
__________________
--Jamie R.
Last edited by jamierreed92; 11-15-14 at 11:06 AM.
Reason: Needed to add more detail