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Comics Comedy Stand Up Entertainment Part Foul Mouth Jobs

Id ESLPod_0069_CN
Episode Id ESLPod 69
Episode Title Missing Person, Part 9: "At the Beach."
Title Cleaner Stand-Up Comics
Text

Stand-up comedy is a popular form of entertainment in the U.S. In a comedy club, you pay a "cover charge" (fee to enter) to hear one or more comics tell jokes.

If you've ever been to a "live" (performed in front of you, not recorded) comedy show or have seen one on television, you know that many comics like to use "profanity" (offensive language). Some of the most famous comics of all time are known for their "foul-mouthed" (using bad language) performances.

However, as one owner of a comedy school in New York City points out, having a foul mouth can lose comics jobs. That's because, in addition to working in comedy clubs, a large number of comics are hired for "corporate gigs" (live performance at a company event).

For these gigs, "bookers" (people who find entertainment for an event) are looking for entertainers who will not offend most people and have performances that are appropriate for families. Having a foul mouth may get quick laughs, but he or she may get "passed over" (overlooked; not get the opportunity) for these "lucrative" (paying a lot of money) jobs.

Having "clean" (not offensive) sets or performances may be difficult for some comics, since part of the nature of stand-up comedy is to "push the envelop" (do things that go beyond what is socially acceptable) and to challenge "conventional" (traditional; normal) thinking or behavior. But it may be "worth their while" (worth it; worth doing) to develop clean "routines" (performances) if they want to work more and to earn more money.

Topics Entertainment + Sports

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