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Stand-up comedy is perhaps the easiest field of entertainment for new talent to enter, because many smaller venues hold "open mic" events where the inexperienced can perform comedy before a live audience. However, perhaps more than any other performer, the stand-up comedian is at the mercy of the audience, which is an integral element of the act. A truly adept stand-up comedian must nimbly play off the mood and tastes of any particular audience, and adjust his or her routine accordingly. The test of a master stand-up comedian is the ability to not only face down a " heckler," but win over and entertain the rest of the crowd with a retort.

Many stand-up comedians achieve their own television programs or star in major motion pictures. Examples of this include Jerry Seinfeld, Bob Newhart, and Bill Cosby.

American stand-up comedy has its roots in various traditions of entertainment popular in the late 19th century, ranging from vaudeville and humorist monologues (with Mark Twain a notable master), to Yiddish theatre and circus clown routines. Most early comedians were merely viewed as "joke tellers," who warmed up the audience as an opening act, or kept the crowds entertained during intermissions. Being a comedian was often considered a stepping stone to a proper career in show business. Jokes were generally broad and (oft when not broadcast) mildly risqué, and often dwelt on stock comic themes ("mother-in-law jokes," ethnic humor). "Blue humor," or comedy that was considered indecent, was popular in many nightclubs, but working "blue" greatly limited a comedian's chance for legitimate success.

Beginning in the late 1950s and into the 1960s, a new generation of American comedians began to explore political topics, race relations, and sexual humor. Stand-up comedy shifted from quick jokes and one liners to monologues, often with dark humor and cutting satire. Lenny Bruce became particularly influential in pushing the boundaries of what was considered acceptable entertainment. African AmericanAfrican Americans also known as Afro- Americans or black Americans comprise an ethnic group in the United States of America whose dominant ancestry is from Sub-Saharan West Africa. Many African Americans also claim European, Native American, or Asian ance comedians such as Redd FoxxJohn Elroy Sanford better known as Redd Foxx ( December 9, 1922 October 11, 1991) was an American comedian best known for his starring role on the television sitcom Sanford and Son''. Foxx was born in St. Louis, Missouri. During World War II, Foxx used il, long relegated to segregated venues, also began to cross over to white audiences at this time.

Stand-up comedy exploded during the 1970sMillennia: 1st millennium 2nd millennium 3rd millennium Centuries: 19th century 20th century 21st century Decades: 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s Years: 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 Events and trends, with several entertainers becoming major stars based on stand up comedy performances. Stand-up expanded from nightclubs and theaters to major concerts in sports arenas. Richard PryorRichard Franklin Lenox Thomas Pryor (born December 1, 1940 in Peoria, Illinois) is an American actor and comedian. Known for his frequent use of colorful language, vulgarities, as well as racial epithets (such as " nigger"), Pryor shattered many barriers and George CarlinGeorge Carlin (born May 12, 1937) is an Irish American ("I used to be Irish Catholic, now I'm an American. stand-up comedian, actor, and author, noted especially for his irreverent attitude and his observations on language and religion. Biography At age 1 followed Lenny Bruce's acerbic style to become countercultureIn sociology, counterculture is a term used to describe a cultural group whose values and norms are at odds with those of the social mainstream. In practice, the term is most commonly used to refer to the youth rebellion that swept North America and Weste icons. Steve MartinStephen Glenn Martin (born August 14, 1945) is an American comedian, writer, producer, actor, musician and composer born in Waco, Texas and raised in Orange County, California. Early years Martin worked at the Bird Cage Theater in Knott's Berry Farm and a and Bill Cosby had similar levels of success with gentler comic routines. The older style of stand-up comedy was kept alive by Rodney DangerfieldRodney Dangerfield was born as Jacob Cohen on November 22 1921 and died on October 5 2004 He was an American comedian and actor, known for the line I get no respect from them Flappers! and his monologues on that theme. Cohen was born in Babylon, Long Isla and Buddy Hackett, who enjoyed revived careers. Television programs such as Saturday Night Live and The Tonight Show launched the careers of other stand-up comedy stars.

The great popularity of stand-up comedy led to a boom in stand-up comedy venues for both locally based and touring comics in many cities. Many stand up stars landed major television deals, and established television and film stars such as Robin Williams, Eddie Murphy, and Billy Crystal tested their comic chops with live stand up comedy appearances. The advent of HBO (which could present comedians uncensored) and other cable channels such as Comedy Central added to the stand-up comedy boom.

By the 1990s, the glut of stand-up comedy led to its decline, as the market became somewhat flooded with comedians considered by some to be mediocre. However established stand-up comedians still command top ticket prices, and talented new comedians still have many small venues to establish themselves in.