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The History of Stand-up Comedy

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Though the history of stand-up comedy in some form can be traced back as far as the 1800s, stand-up as it's known today didn't really come into its own until the 1970s. Over the next four decades, stand-up exploded, then nearly disappeared from the cultural landscape only to bounce back stronger than ever. Read all about the highs and lows of stand-up comedy over the last 40 years.

1. History of Stand-up - The 1970s

The 1970s marked the birth of modern stand-up comedy. From the appearance of a new generation of comedians to the rise of the comedy club, this was the decade that changed stand-up forever.

2. History of Stand-up - The 1980s

Stand-up comedy exploded in the 1980s. Between the proliferation of comedy clubs and new TV shows devoted to comics, stand-up was everywhere during the decade.

3. History of Stand-up Comedy - The 1990s

All good things must come to an end. Read about the decade that saw the near-death and eventual rebirth of stand-up comedy.

4. History of Stand-up Comedy - The 2000s

In the 2000s, stand-up comedy had bounced back from the '90s decline. Read about the changes in stand up during the 2000s and how comedy not only got back on top, but stayed there.

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