The Comedian's Comedian Podcast Russell Howard Returns | Part Two
Jan 15, 2025
Russell Howard, the award-winning comedian known for his observational humor, dives deep into the creative process behind stand-up. He reflects on the differences in comedy styles between the UK and US, and shares his journey of transforming raw ideas into polished performances. Howard also discusses the balance of creativity and financial pressures in comedy while navigating the joys and challenges of parenthood. The conversation touches on the evolution of audience engagement in the age of social media and humor's role in addressing significant issues like climate change.
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Obligation to Audience
- Russell Howard feels a strong obligation to entertain his audience and provide respite from their stressful lives.
- He prioritizes delivering a polished and enjoyable show over experimenting with unfinished material during paid performances.
Self-Harm Bit
- Russell Howard discusses a 20-minute bit about self-harm in young women, linking it to societal pressures and pornography.
- He highlights the importance of workshopping sensitive topics in smaller, unpaid gigs before presenting them in larger shows.
Thrill of the Deadline
- Russell Howard emphasizes the importance of deadlines and pressure for achieving peak performance.
- He enjoys both the creative process and the thrill of delivering a polished show to a large audience.