sootyj
Monday 18th August 2014 7:43am
51,287 posts
That's actually neither true nor fair and it's an attitude that depresses a little. Comedy is probably one of the harder art forms, because you're not looking for technical or even emotional appraisal.
You're looking for a physical one, a laugh or even a smile. And in that regard you will succeed or fail.
There is no middle ground, so when people are funny or could be a bit funnier then generally you'll find effusive praise or advise.
And when they are not then sometimes the advice is harsh.
In this case it's a rookie mistake 101. Assuming improv or unscripted is easy because that's what it looks like. Improv is one of the hardest forms of comedy, when someone seems to be doing it easily. That maybe because they've years of practise, or a huge body of material in their brain they can access easily, or they spent a long time developing characters that they know what they're going to say.
One thing it isn't ever, is just sitting in front of a microphone and rambling off the top of your head. It doesn't work, no one's that naturally funny.
Of course the second mistake is doing this badly and then doing it over and over. Stop assess, redirect whatever or are you assuming you are the naturally funniest person ever.
There's a reason even the greatest improvers write stuff, or practise in workshops and anonymous comedy clubs. It's because it's an art and you don't even have the experience to recognise that.
Stop worrying about recording a weekly segment no one will listen to, like some post apocalyptic radio DJ. Focus on perfecting and honing one recording you can be truly proud of.