Ratings Guide
Types of Humor for Corporate Entertainment, Events, and Special Occasions
I’m looking for someone with a sense of humor. You’ve heard it said before. As an attribute, it’s not to be underestimated—even if it seems like a cliché. One survey even showed a sense of humor as one of the top five most desirable traits in a partner. Some data even suggests it’s more important than physical intimacy. And people aren’t even specifying the types of humor they’re looking for. Rather, it’s more important that a person has some sense of humor.
A sense of humor is highly desirable. So what?
Are you looking to invigorate your corporate entertainment, add a little pizzazz to your holiday parties, launch event, or IPO? Maybe you want some added mirth for your Christmas party or bar mitzvah?
Hiring a comedian could be that missing ingredient. The one that turns the dish from “good” to “you have to make that again sometime.”
Fortunately, there are several ratings for a comedian, as well as different types of humor, so there’s sure to be one that fits your occasion.
Types of Humor
Slapstick Humor
One of the more singular types of humor is slapstick comedy. It’s often associated with physical comedy, absurdity, and comical violence. Think Ace Ventura, The Naked Gun, and Dumb and Dumber. Modern slapstick, i.e., slapstick humor post-20th century—might include Super Troopers, the uproarious MacGruber, and the Jackass franchise. The pioneers of slapstick were, of course, Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, and their wordless performances stand up to this day, as their comedy rested largely on comical situations, sold by the performers’ expressive faces.
However, as much as people might like slapstick humor, they are unlikely to book such comedians for one of their corporate parties—they might be a bit “zany,” and they aren’t necessarily “clean comedians”—that is, they might swear a bit in their routines.
Deadpan
One of the other popular styles of comedy is deadpan humor. Deadpan relies on telling jokes with a straight face—the performer’s face remains impassive when they get to the punchline or finish the bit. This style can be synonymous with a dry sense of humor, meaning the joke is told with little emotion. It’s subtle and understated. This type of humor can rely on wordplay rather than emotion.
Some popular deadpan comedians include Norm Macdonald, Steven Wright, and Anthony Jeselnik. However, Jeselnik’s type of humor would be far too dark for most corporate entertainment—as hilarious as he is, he’s definitely more of a club-rated comedian.
Affiliative Humor
Perhaps the best style of humor to book, from corporate event entertainment to church events, is affiliative humor. This is also the least aggressive humor, tending to skewer everyday life frustrations with a large degree of self-deprecation. Affiliative humor leans more positive. It can also be fairly deadpan. For example, one of the biggest comedians in the world, Nate Bargatze, is more subdued but has an everyman appeal.
Bargatze’s anecdotes often take on married life and his own shortcomings. His clean style of humor often flies more under the radar than other comedians, possibly because Bargatze’s style is relatable to kids and adults alike. This type of humor (clean) is great for all types of corporate events, as he pulls off the deft hat trick of being hilarious without ever making the audience feel infantilized.
Hiring the right comedian is just as important as picking the right content rating.
Below are the rating choices. If you have questions, feel free to reach out.
Corporate Comedian
These are comedians who specialize in performing for company events, banquets, etc. With humor ranging from clean to slightly edgy. Corporate comedians are great at customizing material around your group or industry.
Clean Comedian
You won’t get swearing or sexual content. Suitable for broad audiences, there will be nothing to offend in these acts.
Moderate Language Comedian
This show will have a few swear words and innuendos, but nothing too excessive. It’s right in the middle between clean and comedy club rated—our most popular choice amongst our customers.
Comedy Club Rated Comedian
This is an R-rated show. However, that doesn't mean you can expect anything too vulgar or sexually explicit. You will hear some swear words and adult subject matter. It’s the same show you’d see at most comedy clubs in America.
Choosing the Right Type of Humor for Your Event
In Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant’s book, Writing Movies for Fun and Profit, they say, “Eraserhead is great. But not every night. Can you take your in-laws and their kids to see Eraserhead?”
What the writers are getting at is, there is a time and place (and audience) for everything. So just because your sense of humor leans darker and you don’t offend as easily doesn’t mean your staff or church group wants an anything-goes comedian.
Similarly, you may be a huge fan of Lennon and Garant’s show, Reno 911!, but if you’re babysitting kids too young to be trusted with matches, you might want to stick with one of the Night at the Museum movies, which they also co-wrote.
When in doubt, you can’t go wrong with a clean comedian—i.e., the same type of humor you’d also be safer using around the office without risking a trip to HR.
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At Hire a Comedian, we have thousands of entertainers and decades of experience. If you’re looking for something a bit unconventional for your wedding shower, we’ve got someone for you. Looking to give the team a special treat for the office party? No problem. Maybe you’re looking for just the right fundraiser entertainment. Look no further.
While there are several types of humor and many different styles, we’re confident we have someone just right for you.