The Definition of ‘Comedy’
CRAFT — Where comedy is the primary artform
Comedy is a distinct and standalone artform whose central purpose is to provoke laughter and reflection through humour. It is not a subgenre of theatre, music, or film, but a discipline with its own ecosystem, craft, techniques, cultural value, economic contribution, and artistic heritage.
Crucially, Comedy is marketed differently to other major creative artforms and is predominantly a static art. Unlike music and theatre, where words and rhythm can be repeated for eternity, Comedy repertoire (like jokes) has a special moment in time—particularly in live/real-time and unscripted formats.
Comedy spans live, recorded, broadcast, digital & other formats, including…
Live Performance – Performing artform where comedy is the primary artistic intention — any narrative, musical, or dramatic elements are secondary or absent. It is performed in real time, with direct connection from performer to audience, often involving improvisation and audience-facing interaction. Categories include stand-up, sketch, character, improv, musical comedy, physical comedy, clowning, panel/game show formats, children’s comedy, live podcast recordings, and more.
Scripted, unscripted, and recorded work – television, radio, film, audio, streaming, animation, gaming, immersive and emerging technology where humour is the primary artistic intention
Digital and hybrid formats – comedy for online platforms (including social media creators), podcasts, VR/AR, and interactive media.
Writing and creation – original comedic material for performance, broadcast, publication, or licensing.
Visual and illustrative comedy – comedic expression through visual media such as cartoons, illustration, print, graphic novels, comic books, graffiti, animation, and other static or mixed-media formats, where humour is the primary artistic intention.
Supporting ecosystem – producers, venues, agents, crew, designers, distributors, platforms, brands, and service providers enabling creation, presentation, and monetisation.
BBC: 'On the definition point, whilst comedy is its own genre, it’s worthwhile noting that for broadcasting and production the distinction is often drawn between scripted (sitcom, sketch, comedy drama) and unscripted (panel shows, filmed live performance). Often comedy content is competing with other content, other genres, on TV and SVODs and YouTube and social media. The economic pressures in scripted TV comedy are heightened and it represents a larger portion of BBC content spend and hours, as flagged in our report. Even if comedy talent (writers and performers) flows between both scripted/unscripted, there are some off-screen/off-air roles that are more specific to scripted/unscripted i.e. more likely to flow between genres than comedy.'
Prof. Olly Double, Kent University, leading comedy educator: ‘A simpler way to define the comedy industry is to use the existing ways it's framed. To be specific, comedy is marketed differently from theatre, and - crucially - is listed differently. So in, say, The Guardian's listings, comedy is listed separately. Same with theatre brochures, which list comedy separately from theatre, music, dance, etc.’.
Exclusions: Comedy does not include other artforms where humour is incidental (e.g. drama with comedic elements, musical theatre, dance, or opera). Comedy within cabaret or drag is recognised where the primary mode is comedic performance.
Looking deeper at live comedy
Live Comedy places equal emphasis on the two-way relationship between performer and audience, where audience reaction actively shapes delivery, pacing, and tone. This dynamic feedback loop is a core part of the craft, influencing both the creative process and the live experience in ways other artforms rarely replicate.
Live Comedy deserves dedicated recognition as a CRAFT vertical with unique formats, production models, and career pathways that require tailored support. It comprises a wide range of live performance styles where laughter is the main intention, with any narrative structure, character, or musical elements secondary or absent.
Forms of Live Comedy include (but are not limited to):
Stand-up comedy – solo performance of original comedic material, typically delivered directly to a live audience.
Musical comedy – performances where the primary focus is humour delivered through original or parodic songs (distinct from music performance where any humour is incidental).
Sketch comedy – short, scripted comedic scenes or vignettes performed live.
Double acts – comedy duos performing scripted or semi-improvised material with a focus on comic timing and interaction. Distinct from a two-hander play in that laughter, rather than character or narrative, is the main intention.
Improvised comedy (Improv) – unscripted live performance in which humour is created spontaneously, often using audience suggestions.
Character comedy – comic performance of original personas or alter egos, distinct from dramatic monologue or theatrical plays.
Live comedy panel or game shows – stage-based comedic formats that incorporate structured games, quizzes, or discussions with live humour as the central feature.
Children’s comedy shows – live performances created specifically for younger audiences where the intent is comedic.
Physical comedy – performance that uses the body as the primary vehicle for humour, including slapstick and non-verbal comedic storytelling. This could also include clowning in many cases.
Live podcast recordings – events where comedy-focused podcasts are performed in front of a live audience with the purpose of generating laughter.