Stand up comedy always refers to race?

[UrsulaBursula]

do you enjoy stand up comedy?

I find most acts aren’t funny and a lot of the more popular comedians tend to base their whole act on racism? I just don’t find it funny. Am I missing something here?

Maybe you go to see the wrong comedians, I don't think I've ever been to one whose act was based on racism, do you have an example?

IMO 'funny' is a completely individual thing. I love stand up but not all stand up. However plenty of the stand up comedians that don't make me laugh have successful careers, so other people do find them funny. If a comedian is not at all funny then nobody will pay to watch them, they won't get on TV and eventually lack of money will push them into a different career path.

There usually needs to be some familiarity with a subject for it to be funny, some terms of reference or lived experience. For instance I wouldn't laugh at all at a routine based on golf because I don't know anything about it. Often the touchiest subjects are the funniest, so long as they are handled well.

I don't think you're missing anything, you can't learn to find something funny, just focus on the ones that you do enjoy.

This site is getting weird. Are Mumsnet themselves starting threads now?

My very favourite comedians are the ones who have complete escapism cos their routines are so random but founded in light things you can relate to in everyday life - Peter Kaye’s show with the original garlic bread gag was amazing, bob mortimer on WILTY - that kind of thing

I don’t think that many comedians focus on race but don’t really find those who do funny, equally I don’t find female comedians who focus on period issues / useless husbands funny either