Key
- Stand-up comedy: A form of solo stage comedy performance that has gained popularity among urban young people in recent years.
- Offline theater performances: An important performance venue for stand-up comedians, differentiating from online variety shows.
- Comedy writing: The core competitiveness of stand-up comedians, which requires continuous refinement and innovation.
- Negative reviews: Challenges brought by online platforms. Comedians need to learn how to handle them and adjust their mindset.
- Freedom of expression: The goal pursued by stand-up comedians, and they strive for it within the scope permitted by society.
Abstract
This episode of Story FM focuses on the career and mental journey of stand-up comedian Zhou Qimo. As an “old” comedian in the Chinese stand-up comedy industry, Zhou Qimo has a high reputation in offline theaters. However, his experience on The Roast was full of challenges. He was “out of place” online, which triggered a heated discussion about his performance style and ability. The program delves into Zhou Qimo's understanding of comedy writing, his response to negative reviews, and his pursuit of freedom of expression. Meanwhile, it shows his perseverance in offline theater performances and his expectations for the future, revealing the opportunities and dilemmas that stand-up comedians face in the rapidly changing industry environment.
Insights
The content of this podcast presents the real situation of stand-up comedy industry practitioners, reveals the differences between online and offline performances, and how comedians adjust their psychology when facing public reviews. It reflects the challenges that emerging cultural forms face during their development, as well as the balance that practitioners need to strike between artistic expression and commercial value. In addition, the program also triggers thoughts about the boundaries of comedy writing and social tolerance, which has certain practical significance and industry reference value.
Opinions
01 “Differences between online and offline”
There are significant differences between online variety shows and offline theater performances in terms of audience composition, performance forms, and feedback mechanisms. Comedians need to adjust according to different platforms.
02 “The value of negative reviews”
When facing negative reviews, comedians should stay sober, judge whether they violate their moral values or change their values, so as to better handle them and grow.
03 “Boundaries of expression and struggle”
Comedians should express themselves within the scope permitted by society and never stop pursuing freedom of expression. Even if the form is restricted, they should find new ways of expression.
In-depth Analysis
Zhou Qimo: A Stand-up Comedian's “Acclimatization” Online and Perseverance Offline
The year 2020 was a year full of challenges and opportunities for stand-up comedian Zhou Qimo. This “old” comedian with a high reputation in offline theaters participated in the highly anticipated The Roast with a longing for a new stage. However, different from the enthusiastic response of offline performances, Zhou Qimo was “out of place” online, which triggered a heated discussion about his performance style and ability.
The King of Offline: A Legend in the Theater
Zhou Qimo has been deeply involved in Beijing Danli Ren Comedy Club for many years. He has won the love of many fans with his unique performance style and high - quality jokes. In the eyes of his peers and audiences, he represents the highest level of Chinese stand - up comedy. He is good at telling long - story jokes, and the content often contains incisive thoughts on life and profound insights into social phenomena. In offline theaters, the audience is more relaxed and more easily infected by the comedian's performance. Zhou Qimo's jokes often need to be savored slowly to appreciate their charm. This performance style complements the atmosphere of offline theaters, making him a veritable “King of Offline”.
Online Challenges: A “Free Fall” on the Variety Show Stage
However, when Zhou Qimo stepped onto the stage of The Roast, everything changed. The rhythm of variety shows is faster, the audience is more critical, and the requirements for punchlines are higher. Zhou Qimo's performance style seemed a bit “slow - starting” online and it was difficult to quickly capture the audience's attention.
“On that stage, you'll feel more desperate because the stage is relatively high and there is a distance between you and the audience. Moreover, it's a form of a show. The audience are all there for the show recording. In fact, they have a strong sense of self. They are always looking at you with a very critical and competitive gaze, unlike the offline audience who are more relaxed and just come for a laugh.” Zhou Qimo described his feeling of online performance like this. More importantly, the online platform brought a large number of negative reviews. Some audiences thought Zhou Qimo's jokes were not funny, and some even launched personal attacks on him. “If Zhou Qimo didn't work in the decoration industry, I can't think of any connection between him and the ceiling” and “After watching Zhou Qimo's performance, it's just so - so. It's just hyped up by his peers.” These comments once made Zhou Qimo fall into self - doubt.
Dealing with Reviews: Staying Sober and Sticking to Oneself
Facing the overwhelming negative reviews, Zhou Qimo was not defeated. He began to reflect on whether his performance style was suitable for the online platform, and at the same time, he learned how to deal with negative reviews.
“A great benefit this show brought to me is that when you suddenly receive a large number of negative reviews, you quickly learn how to deal with them with the right mindset.” Zhou Qimo said. He wrote two sentences for himself: “If someone scolds you, first, ask yourself if what you said violates your moral values. That's the first point. If not, then the second point is whether what they said will change your values. If neither of these two points is true, then just let them scold. It has nothing to do with me.”
Boundaries of Expression: Struggling within the Social Space
In addition to dealing with negative reviews, Zhou Qimo is also thinking about the boundaries of stand - up comedy expression. He believes that comedians should express themselves within the scope permitted by society and never stop pursuing freedom of expression.
“I'm just trying to express myself within the scope where I can. I think this is a way of struggling, that is, to keep expressing within the scope you've stipulated. But you can never stifle my expression.” Zhou Qimo said, “Even if one day I feel that I can't speak, I'm mute and can't do stand - up comedy anymore, I still want to do mime and use gestures to make people laugh. I think it's also a way of expression. I'll never stop. I'll always express myself within the space that society gives me.”
Expectations for the Future: Free Expression and Comedy Movies
Despite the challenges he faced online, Zhou Qimo didn't give up his love for stand - up comedy. He still persists in offline theater performances and actively tries new creative directions.
“My first hope is to bring more diverse stand - up comedy to the audience, especially those in front of the TV or screen. This stand - up comedy doesn't have to revolve around a theme, and it doesn't necessarily have to express any values. What it wants to express is for you to think and perceive by yourself. Its starting point is just to be funny. I hope people can accept a more liberal form of stand - up comedy expression.” Zhou Qimo said. He also has a bigger dream, which is to make stand - up comedy movies. “I'll make one stand - up comedy movie every year. That is, record a special performance and combine it with some sitcoms. Then release it in theaters. I hope people will feel that watching a special performance of mine in the cinema at the end of the year is like an essential part of celebrating the Chinese New Year, making the year complete.”
Forward - looking Thoughts
Zhou Qimo's story reflects some common phenomena in the development of the stand - up comedy industry. Online platforms have brought more exposure opportunities for stand - up comedy, but also greater competitive pressure and stricter evaluation criteria. Comedians need to continuously adjust their performance styles to adapt to the new platform environment. At the same time, the boundaries of stand - up comedy expression are receiving more and more attention. Comedians need to create within the scope permitted by society, ensuring the fun of the content while avoiding sensitive topics. In the future, the stand - up comedy industry will develop in a more diversified direction. Online and offline platforms will continue to coexist, and comedians will face more choices and challenges. Only those who can continuously innovate, stick to themselves, and dare to express can stand out in this industry.