IS SOCIAL MEDIA COMEDY/SKIT THE DEATH OF ACTUAL STAND-UP? ...as we tend toward the ridiculous.

Basketmouth (Bright Okpocha) 2013 ''there are two things involved'' comedy schtick was both revolutionary and entertaining for its time. It was funny without being out rightly vulgar and informative at the same time. That particular act could have been performed at the Def Comedy Jam and it would have gotten the same reaction from the audience. Well thought out and hilariously thought provoking. But then maybe I was late to catch up with the scene.  Acts like Alibaba (GDFR) commonly credited as the grandfather of modern Nigerian standup comedy, pioneer/revolutionary in his own right. 

In comes social media and a influx of would be comedians, talented and non-talented alike.  All it takes now is a smart phone, a few apps like Snapchat and Tiktok for effect and you are good to go.  Throw in maybe a ridiculous dress (say a man dressed as a woman, but not as a drag art) and a wig and you sure are going viral. The whole COVID-19 situation, the lock down of early 2020 all over the world and the need to social distance sure has not made it any better. Don't they say creativity is borne out of leisure? But then so could idleness give birth to mediocrity. 

                                        As we tend toward the ridiculous. 

I personally think comedy should be thought out and rehearsed. It should, like every other genre of creativity, have a theme, plot and setting. But then maybe I am overthinking it really. After all, likes and share are the parameter for good creativity these days. 

Of course nothing can be taken away from the creativity of acts like Maraji and Twyse . It doesn't take too much to see the creativity and the thought behind their acts. 

Social media comedy is inherently a positive. Take Falz-the bad Guy for example. We all got introduced to him through his skits and comedy on Instagram. And they were hilarious. Point is, there ought to be some kind of intelligence to humour. The difference between comic act and fooling around. But hey, who does not want to see DonJazzy in his bathrobe and shower cap, dancing to one of Rema's new music?.