Stand-Up Comedy: The New Hangout Spot and Why Everyone’s Loving It

The Two Worlds We Live In

We live in a society where our interests are sidelined, self-expression is forbidden, and constantly being told to stay under the Lakshman Rekha, else we’ll be judged.

Isn’t it true? Have you ever felt that? Well, I did, I felt that. I felt it every time when I wanted to counter my relatives' male jokes, and my mother's words —“bete jada nahi bolte” stopped me, and when I said something that triggered my uncle's ego, and papa’s strict advice—“faltu mat bola karo” chased me out of the discussion.

But one day, I found the same reverts and replies with humor in a stand-up comedy show one of my friends dragged me to. The show was full of humor and forbidden words, we can’t use in the outside world. 

Yes, you heard it write, outside world, that’s the exact meaning of the world we live in. We live in two different worlds, inside and outside. In the outside world, we are rational, aligned, and composed, whereas in the inside world, we are the polar opposite. Irrational, uncivilized, and disturbed.

We succeed in hiding it perfectly, yet we discussed it behind the curtains, hidden from the powers of the outside world, which, as a society, stops us when we discuss the true self of human nature.

This is the only reason I find the growing community of stand-up comedians and their fan base.

Nowadays, stand-up comedian and their admirers are increasing in number. Here are some points that could possibly the reason why people enjoy comedians:

Why People Love Stand-Up Comedy

Humor and Laughter

With the blend of humor and laughter, comedians are capable to make people laugh even on serious situations. It’s not just about throwing some lame jokes without any logic, most of them use humor and good points we often ignore in our day-to-day life. 

Science behind

Laughter releases endorphins (hormones and neurotransmitters) in the brain, which act as natural painkillers and mood boosters. Endorphins are released during activities like exercise, stress, and pleasure, helping to reduce pain, alleviate stress, and improve mood, and make you feel happy.

Relatability

Stand-up comedians are not typically a comedians who rely on jokes on anything, rather some of them share their own traumas and or common social situations wrapped up in soft comedy, which allows audiences to relate to their own situations.

Insights

Stand-up comedians offers fresh perspectives, using humor to highlight the quirks and contradictions in our daily lives, cultural habits, and current events. Their sharp observations often push us to think out of the box. They shake up the norm, spotlight the unseen, and make us laugh while doing it.

Escapism

Comedy serves as a refreshing mental getaway, offering people a chance to temporarily detach from the stress, responsibilities, and challenges of daily life. Whether through a stand-up routine, sitcom, or funny video. Humor creates a space where laughter takes over, providing comfort, relaxation, and a sense of joy in a hectic world.

Social Commentary

Zakir Husain, Vir Das, and Kunal Kamra shine a light on mental health and societal issues by weaving humor into the discussion. They often give us deep insight on politics, inequality, identity, and more with the least effort, by presenting these topics in a relatable and entertaining way.

I’m not a fan of stand-up comedians themselves, but I do enjoy their humor. It’s true that sometimes they get into trouble for making obscene jokes or crossing the line, and they often face consequences for it.