Topic Guide

What Is Comedians?

Comedians is a subject covered in depth across 4 podcast episodes in our database. Below you'll find key concepts, expert insights, and the top episodes to listen to — all distilled from hours of conversation by leading experts.

Browse all comedians episodes →Best comedians episodes ranked →

Key Concepts in Comedians

Cult classic phenomenon

*Wet Hot American Summer* serves as a prime example of a film that initially failed commercially but gained a devoted following over time. This phenomenon often involves films finding an audience through word-of-mouth, midnight screenings, and home video, ultimately becoming culturally significant despite their initial reception.

Tricked audition

This concept describes a situation where a talent, often an established one, is led to believe they are having an informal meeting or greeting, but the interaction is secretly designed and recorded as an audition. This episode illustrates how Wanda Sykes was subjected to a 'tricked audition' for "Curb Your Enthusiasm" after explicitly refusing a formal one.

Larry david's off-screen persona

This concept describes how Larry David's on-screen comedic character, known for his social awkwardness, bluntness, and ability to make others uncomfortable, extends into his real-life interactions. Wanda Sykes explains that he is constantly "doing a bit" even off-camera, making encounters with him feel like part of his show, and he actively enjoys making people feel uneasy.

Canadian enthusiasm

This concept, shared by a co-host, suggests that the perceived success of Canadian comedians is not due to an inherent national comedic instinct. Instead, it posits that when Canadian talent finds success, there's a strong wave of national support and excitement—"Canadian enthusiasm"—that amplifies their recognition and prominence.

Sctv's influence on modern comedy

Conan O'Brien identifies the Canadian sketch comedy show SCTV as a pioneering force in comedy, describing it as "50 years ahead of its time" [00:00]. He argues its style and humor were prophetic, resembling the cutting-edge "internet comedy of today" and setting a benchmark for innovative comedic content.

What Experts Say About Comedians

1.*Wet Hot American Summer* premiered at Sundance in 2001 but initially "didn't get did no business" [00:43] and was met with indifference.
2.Elizabeth Banks changed her name from Elizabeth Mitchell for SAG due to another actress with the same name, who appeared on the show *Lost* [00:21].
3.The film gained cult status years later through late-night screenings, drawing parallels to *Rocky Horror Picture Show*, and via DVD distribution [00:54, 01:03].
4.Banks attributes meeting her manager of 25 years at Sundance during the film's premiere as a direct, life-changing outcome [01:08].
5.The film's cult following led to her audition for *40-Year-Old Virgin* because creators like Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg were fans [01:22].
6.Her role in *40-Year-Old Virgin* established her comedic talent, opening doors to projects like *30 Rock* when people realized "oh, she's funny" [01:27].