Of course all of us consider ourselves witty and pretty sharp, but do you consider Derren to actually be a Comedian or just moderately funny? Could he play a comedy club? Asking for a friend.

Having some moments that are amusing, with some laughter, can contribute to the audience experience, but that is a long distance from an act that is essentially comedy.

George

I certainly wouldn't consider him a comedy mentalist

Being a stand up comedian, and being a variety performer capable of working an actual comedy club are two VERY different things. Ask your friend which they need confirmation bias on.

I would not consider Derren Brown to be a comedy mentalist. That's not to say there aren't funny moments in his shows but I don't think most would see his show and think it was any kind of comedy show.

Especially if considering LPMs as many comics, comedians and industry professionals do.

I have the opportunity to play a comedy club. I think my laugh factor is about the sam as Derrens. I'm asking because we played this club as the Blues Brothers and even though it was 80% music we got enough laughs between songs to be invited back. I just wondered if the same would hold true for mentalism? I'd bet TC Tahoe would know.

Quote:
On Apr 18, 2024, Mindpro wrote:

LPM is escaping me??? Your inbox is full... Smile Laughs per Minute????

Lol, I tried to PM you and your box was also full. Here's what I said...

Yes, Laughs Per Minute. The best shoot for one laugh every 12 seconds or 5 a minute. I've headlined comedy clubs for years, and still produce and books clubs and comedy concerts and while LPM isn't the only criteria I consider it is a factor. The thing is there are different styles of comedy and some will not fit into the LPM format, such as storytelling comics vs. setup/punch lines or oneliner comics.

Its hard for a specialty act to transition to standup where the primary things must be the laughs. Best of luck!

Thanks... I don't think it will be easy but I can't resist.

Measuring the entertainment factor of an act based on LPMs sounds like a prime example of Goodhart's Law.

You always challenge me to investigate!!!!!

I have never liked the Laughs per Minute idea. Forget lines, tricks, and LPM. It’s not about that; it’s never been about that. It is and always has been about the performer’s connection to the audience.
Is Derren Brown a comedy magician? I don’t think of him as one, and I would doubt he does either. He is an entertainer who uses comedy as one of his tools.
Just my thunks.
Also, yes, Philemon Vanderbeck, it is a great example of Goodhart's Law.

Dave, just be you.

I perform stage and close up. My laughs are audience participation based. They create the moments and I extend them. I don't knock the participant or put them down, we laugh together. My Magician friend is comedy but from structured one liners. Not as good in my opinion. It gets annoying sometimes.

I think I could play a comedy club.

A mentalism act without good humour, charm and a little wit would be very dull indeed. I find some mentalists approach to their shows very dry. I'm not sure I'd like to see a comedy mentalist particularly, but I'd sure prefer it if the performer could engage the audience with his personality rather than some repetitive, boring monologues about the human psyche.

Bob Cassidy was hilarious, but I wouldn't say he was comedic. Max Maven's persona had a kind of camp theatricality about it that was very amusing.

Derren is a very sharp and witty guy, but he chooses to play it down. I can guarantee that he and Andy Nyman spend half their time rolling with laughter as they work on shows together. One could argue that Derren could well be a comedian, but has chosen to act the part of a more serious mentalist. I wonder if, when working on his persona and format for the original TV series, that he and Andy decided to mute Derren's fun side and go for a more serious approach. It certainly paid off, and I wonder if Derren finds it arduous at times having to keep a straight face.

I think I'll book my act into a Comedy club. Let's find out!!!!!!