The basic idea of a space for ideas comes from Aristotle, who argues that we organize ideas spatially in our mind. We group like with like into genres, topics, as for certain audiences, etc. and separate them out from things we think are dissimilar.
The “idea” of a space
Raymie E. McKerrow, following from the work of Michel Foucault, argues that while physical spaces exist (the pre-discursive), they also get defined by the way people use them (discourse). So a room could be an office, or a bedroom, or a classroom depending on what people think it is, the rules they come up with for it, and how they act in it. Agreement on this has to be reached via some sort of communication, if not outright argument (rhetoric). We might call this the idea of the space (a product of ideology).
We can see how this applies to stand-up; while there are distinct clubs with hard and fast rules and policies, bouncers, two-drink minimums, etc., there are also mics at bars, where comics might follow an afternoon of poetry. The previous hours had completely different rules and interactions than those that follow, and not all of them are clearly laid out by the host.
How much more jarring is the transition when you’re (as does happen) a comic doing a set before they introduce a stripper at a strip club? Yes, the club space will influence the crowd and therefore the interaction, but do the comics and the strippers play by the same rules?
Assumptions about stand-up spaces
We all know some of the suppositions about the spaces of stand-up, but I question how universally they apply. For instance, we assume the speaker is kidding, playing, non bona fide, or doesn’t intend to persuade (intentionality) as they are unreliable or discordant narrators. But are we sure? For Louis Black, Margaret Cho, Kathy Griffin, Bill Maher or Jon Stewart? [I’ll go into some cases later]
We assume the audience is there to laugh, and will laugh off any serious statements. But then we’re surprised when they don’t – especially when they dissent in large groups [Look for more on this].
We assume the space extends to fans and customers, usually in the club. But we know that they can watch a recording, even one that’s been broken up, so the context is all wonky [Look for more on this].
Questions? Comments? Thoughts? Additions?
Have you ever broken (or seen someone break) an unwritten/unspoken rule in a comedy space? What did you find out or realize?
References:
Aristotle, The Rhetoric
Foucault, Michel. The Archaeology of Knowledge. New York: Pantheon Books, 1972.
McKerrow, Raymie E. “Space and Time in the Postmodern Polity.” Western Journal of Communication 63.3 (1999): 271-290.
Wilson, Nathan. Was That Supposed to be Funny? A Rhetorical Analysis of Politics, Problems and Contradictions in Contemporary Stand-Up Comedy. Dissertation in partial completion of the Ph.D. August, 2008.
