Comedy Without Errors
James Acaster: A Strange Form of Stand Up
updated
Support the hustle on Patreon:
www.patreon.com/comedywithouterrors
Support the hustle on Patreon:
www.patreon.com/comedywithouterrors
Support the hustle on Patreon:
www.patreon.com/comedywithouterrors
Support the hustle on Patreon:
www.patreon.com/comedywithouterrors
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sfc6a7kmHbs&t=182s&pp=ygUOZ3V5IG1vbnRnb21lcnk%3D
Genuinely fantastic special!
A unique, surreal, serious, cynical genius
This was the product of filming 50 (ish) gigs over the past year. The making of this special had many challenges. Both expected and unexpected. Gonna gauge the reaction to it and then potentially make a video or two breaking down how I wrote the material and how it was filmed/edited together. There’s also so many alternative takes, failed sets, interesting adjustments, camera malfunctions and random happenings that have been caught on camera. It would be cool to show those as well.
Steve Martin recounted talking to Johnny Carson during an early ‘The Tonight Show’ appearance. Carson leaned in during a commercial break and told him “You’ll use everything you ever knew”. That has 100% been the case with this. It’s brought so many different skill sets into play. As a performer obviously it’s stretched me. But also as a YouTuber, editor, writer and amateur filmmaker. It’s been a huge struggle at times to persevere and get this thing to the level of quality I wanted. But I’m nothing if not stubborn haha.
The thing I’m proudest of, I hear you ask?
Making this special vindicated my belief in the YouTube channel. There’s always a risk as a video essayist that the things you teach can’t be applied in a practical setting. That you’re delivering well intentioned but ultimately pretentious wank. So I was stoked that I kept falling back on the things I’ve talked about for the past 4 years. Word choice, premises, rhythm, camera positions. Every video I’ve made has taught me new things about my own comedy. Which is honestly so cool!
I started the channel as a performer wanting to talk about comedy. But over the years I hid the performer side of myself. I’ve hardly talked about my own comedy in the videos. I’ve never used any of my own stand up as an example (even though there were times when it would have been an interesting point of discussion). I became scared. Scared that when people saw my comedy, they would think I sucked and wouldn’t care about anything I had to say. That my small following would evaporate and I’d be revealed as the imposter I was.
But I don’t feel like that any more. Over the last couple years, I’ve improved dramatically as a performer. My confidence has grown and I’ve found a voice that is weird, occasionally awkward and unique. It’s time to share this part of myself. It’s really exciting. Terrifying sure. But exciting. Who knows, maybe it will bring brighter opportunities for the channel moving forward.
Enjoy ‘Midnight Porridge’ :)
0:00 - Video 1 (The Art Gallery)
2:10 - Graham Norton
12:22 - Video 2 (The Goz)
14:24 - Video Games
19:46 - University
23:38 - Wet Bed
27:19 - The Bath
31:10 - Guitar Dudes
37:55 - Video 3 (The Flat Party)
40:39 - Harry Potter
45:48 - Lego Daddy
48:54: Mirror Man
55:23 - Video 4 (Bear meet Bear)
Boil the jug... Namaste Day
Support the channel:
www.patreon.com/comedywithouterrors
Support the channel on patreon:
www.patreon.com/comedywithouterrors
James Acaster 2013: Comcompendium
Ep 355 & 356 James Acaster Returns (Again!)
Ep 232 James Acaster: Returns (Part One & Two)
Spoilers for 'Repertoire' (2018), 'Carpet Remnant World' (2012) & 'Shutter Island' (2010) (WHAT?!) ahead.
James Acaster - A Strange Form of Stand Up:
youtu.be/GP3Gr-ZV0Tw
One last thing. I haven't done this before, but I would like to say 'Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999' is an AMAZING stand up special. I think I've watched it 5-6 times in it's entirety. It's SO good, and makes a fascinating contrast to his work in Repertoire. It's only available on Vimeo, so if you want to support Acaster, and more importantly, treat yourself to some outstanding comedy, the link's below:
vimeo.com/ondemand/coldlasagne
For educational purposes only. You can donate or support the channel at:
www.patreon.com/comedywithouterrors
Andrew Conway Document - http://www.juggling.org/~conway/juggler/MAL.TXT
Patton Oswalt, 'A Closed Letter to Myself About Heckling Thievery and Rape Jokes - genius.com/Patton-oswalt-a-closed-letter-to-myself-about-thievery-heckling-and-rape-jokes-annotated
Jerry Seinfeld, Heckle Therapist - wagingnonviolence.org/2014/01/lesson-nonviolent-self-defense-jerry-seinfeld
One of stand up's most audacious experiments, Drew Michael's 2018 special is exceptionally strange. But it is good? And what can we take away from it?
For educational purposes only. You can donate or support the channel at:
www.patreon.com/comedywithouterrors
How to Film Stand Up w/ Jerrod Carmichael (referenced around 3:20):
youtube.com/watch?v=HjH8oztEiPI&ab_channel=ComedyWithoutErrors
For educational purposes only. You can donate to support the channel at:
patreon.com/comedywithouterrors
He's been booed onstage (opening for Elton John nonetheless!), worn custom-made banana boots, and been picketed by the Christian right. He arguably birthed observational comedy in the UK.
In a career spanning 50 years, you may be surprised to learn that Connolly did all this without any notes, rehearsals, or really any forethought at all.
For educational purposes only. You can donate or support the channel at:
www.patreon.com/comedywithouterrors
In this vid, we'll look at one of Dave's most underrated comedy weapons; the callback.
For educational purposes only. You can donate or support the channel at:
patreon.com/comedywithouterrors
Music:
Itachi - Nxnja - youtube.com/watch?v=Vr-o_fvFHO0
You're So Cool - Hans Zimmer - youtube.com/watch?v=bayyRPSXGq0&t=89s
Green - Bearded Skull - youtube.com/watch?v=FPkpMC-yDqM
Classic Hip Hop Instrumentals - youtube.com/watch?v=gd4DT8pPjZ0&t=994s
Gospel - March Fourth Marching Band - youtube.com/watch?v=ckNRHPlLBcU
For the memes:
youtube.com/watch?v=DLZSyd7BBKs&feature=youtu.be
For educational purposes only. You can donate or support the channel at: www.patreon.com/comedywithouterrors
Music:
Tom Hark Elias and His Zig Zag Jive Flutes - youtube.com/watch?v=zKz5kpqctV0&t=43s
Radiohead - 15 Step (Instrumental) - youtube.com/watch?v=yjExJs5VWYU
NEU! - Neuschnee - youtube.com/watch?v=dmzY0HjcIsE
Dave Brubeck - Golden Brown - youtube.com/watch?v=2Qs1J612nZs
Burial and Four Tet - Moth - youtube.com/watch?v=sCzJQRVbWtE
Kraftwerk - The Model (Instrumental) - youtube.com/watch?v=SIni2V_mnBM
Miles Davis - Freddie Freeloader - youtube.com/watch?v=ZZcuSBouhVA
Four Tet - Two Thousand and Seventeen - youtube.com/watch?v=CUYboWbVe0A
Boards of Canada - Dayvan Cowboy - youtube.com/watch?v=A2zKARkpDW4
Miles Davis - So What - youtube.com/watch?v=ylXk1LBvIqU
Now Ends the Beginning - The Advisory Circle - youtube.com/watch?v=XR76_HJL6uQ
nytimes.com/2017/03/03/arts/when-comedians-laugh.html
We all know someone that cracks up at their own jokes like some delirious super-villain running around with a flame-thrower. But can comedians do it? More importantly, should they? A quick deconstruction on how comedians use laughter to change how the audience interprets their material.
For educational purposes only. You can support or donate to the channel at:
www.patreon.com/comedywithouterrors
Big thanks to Finn Davies who added a fine layer of polish to the video, making everything look far more professional than it had any right to be.
Music:
'Boost' - Kiyoto
youtube.com/watch?v=ccyppkTomIo&t=45s
'Bubbles' - Kiyoto
youtube.com/watch?v=m-W4IsnKQZk
'Perverted' - Insane Beats
youtube.com/watch?v=BNzO1ktArsY
'Old School Hip Hop Instrumental Session'
youtube.com/watch?v=Au46lJu8icA&t=1003s
'Green Peppers' - Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass
youtube.com/watch?v=hVTPAm07Buw
In this video we break down one of the reasons behind this divide: the way he writes premises.
For educational purposes only. You can donate or support the channel at:
patreon.com/comedywithouterrors
My Favourite Brian Regan Set (Skip to 1:20):
youtube.com/watch?v=WBndmwvYxyI&t=103s
Really interesting article about the stand up scene in Germany by my comedy friend Bernhard Hiergeist:
http://www.stand-up-comedians.com
Brian Regan Articles:
thestar.com/entertainment/2017/09/06/comedian-brian-regan-gets-love-from-the-public-and-his-peers.html
npr.org/2019/04/26/716379716/comedian-brian-regan-sees-the-dinosaurs-in-everyday-life
Michael McIntyre Criticism:
http://londonisfunny.com/michael-mcintyre-the-comedian-that-comedians-love-to-hate
heraldscotland.com/arts_ents/13051794.everyone-hates-michael-mcintyre
theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2010/sep/16/michael-mcintyre-comedy-roadshow
theguardian.com/stage/2011/jul/17/michael-mcintyre-nastiness-desert-island-discs
Stewart Lee, 'What I Really Think About Michael McIntyre':
chortle.co.uk/features/2011/07/19/13653/stewart_lee:_what_i_really_think_about_michael_mcintyre
Music:
MF Doom, Figaro (Instrumental): youtube.com/watch?v=KUUQA29wELw
Happy Jazz Piano Old School Hip Hop Instrumental: youtube.com/watch?v=MqkLVJf_ru4
Versace 90s Old School Freestyle Beat: youtube.com/watch?v=ohiWZiGCI8I
Old School Boom Bap Type Beat: youtube.com/watch?v=nTOpemD2QTA
Mii Channel Music: youtube.com/watch?v=E9s1ltPGQOo&t=63s
Zelda & Chill: youtube.com/watch?v=GdzrrWA8e7A
Omegah Red ft. MFF Doom and RZA - Books of War (Instrumental): youtube.com/watch?v=pTCp0kJYF30
For educational purposes only. You can donate or support the channel at:
patreon.com/comedywithouterrors
Nick Helm, Live at the Apollo article:
chortle.co.uk/news/2015/12/11/23781/nick_helm:_i_died_on_live_at_the_apollo
Laugh Track Article:
chortle.co.uk/news/2020/01/29/45295/yes,_we_do_add_laughs_to_stand-up_on_tv
Music:
Old School Instrumental Hip Hop Session: youtube.com/watch?v=Au46lJu8icA&t=461s
Morena, Hip Hop Instrumental: youtube.com/watch?v=0bFJjL-Johw
Edvard Grieg, In the Hall of the Mountain King: youtube.com/watch?v=kLp_Hh6DKWc&t=11s
For educational purposes only. You can donate or support the channel at:
patreon.com/comedywithouterrors
Music:
RJD2 ‘Ghostwriter’ : youtube.com/watch?v=rVqAdIMQZlk
Daga Beatmaker ‘1928 / 808 Instrumental Beat’: youtube.com/watch?v=liZti9NptRs
Ratatat ‘Cream on Chrome’: youtube.com/watch?v=xlcywgEMuGI
GC ‘Serendipity’: youtube.com/watch?v=z0n3QLW1Iy0
Urban Nerd Beats ‘Catch a Vibe’: youtube.com/watch?v=H8TaguHWFyM
LCD Soundsystem ‘All My Friends’ Instrumental: youtube.com/watch?v=rNyvFalCqe8
Camacho ‘Blues' youtube.com/watch?v=SKOldbdGDFY
Bill Burr Falls Asleep - youtube.com/watch?v=mn5YmLmXLDc