In today's unstable, uncertain and challenging society Millennials could be said to have bleak prospects for the future, therefore, why does this generation respond by practicing stand-up comedy?

In today's unstable, uncertain and challenging society Millennials could be said to have bleak prospects for the future, therefore, why does this generation respond by practicing stand-up comedy? This study aims to analyse stand-up comedy in today's society, why it is such a popular art form and, in particular, its relationship with the people who are at an age today to appreciate and practice the art: the millennial generation. This dissertation will analyse why stand-up comedy is so popular today and whether or not this popularity stems from a general enjoyment of comedy itself or is more to do with social factors such as the portrayal and exposure of stand-up comedy in the mainstream media, celebrity culture, the internet or the ideological system of governance in Britain. In order to achieve its aims this study will: look to provide a definition of stand-up comedy and analyse the aspects of the art form that make it an appealing one to practice; examine the Millennial generation and their shared characteristics; consider the social factors the Millennials have grown up with; and analyse the portrayal of stand-up comedy in the British media as well as the influences social media and celebrity culture have on stand-up comedy in order to explain the popularity of stand-up today. This study has employed primarily text-based research methods but also contains quotes from Millennial amateur comedians gained through one-on-one interviews conducted by the researcher. The outcome of this research being that the popularity of stand-up comedy, the generational traits of the Millennials and the reasoning behind so many Millennials practicing the art form are all influenced by the neoliberal capitalist ideology we live under in Britain.ba_dapunpub1556_ethesesunpu