Comics Need an Audience

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Chris Kornelis, No Joke: Comics Need an Audience; Stand-ups find it isn't funny writing when not on stage.  Wall Street Journal, Aug 26, 2020 (front page).
https://www.wsj.com/articles/sta ... udience-11598373521

Quote:

"How does a comedian know if something is funny? The audience tells him. It's no joke.

"Late-night talk-show hosts have been telling jokes without an audience for months [during the pandemic, when large gathering and nonessential businesses are prohibited], but many of those are timely riffs off the daily news, not the longer-simmering material that stand-up comedians work and rework night after night  with feedback from a live crowd. 'Stand-up comedy without an audience is just an insane person at a bus stop just ranting,' says comedian Ron Funches.

Note:
(a)
(i) WSJ places the article behind paywall.
(ii) There is no need to read the rest.
(b) riff (n; probably by shortening & alteration from refrain):
"3: a succinct usually witty comment
4: a distinct variation : TAKE  <a disturbing … riff on the Cinderella stor — Daria Donnelly>"
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/riff