Alternative comedy FAQ

Alternative comedy is comedy that refuses to do things the way the mainstream circuit of its day does them: different structures, different subjects, different rooms. That's the short answer. Below are quick answers to the other questions we hear most, each with a link to the page on this site that goes deeper, followed by questions about AltComedy.com itself.

The most common questions (what alt comedy is, how it differs from the mainstream, who started it and where to watch it) are answered in the FAQ section at the bottom of this page. The rest are below.

About alternative comedy

Where did the term "alternative comedy" come from?

It was first widely used in Britain at the end of the 1970s and the start of the 1980s, for a new wave of performers who rejected the mother-in-law gags and racist and sexist material common on the working men's club circuit and on television at the time. The American use of the term arrived later, mostly in the 1990s. Our history of British alternative comedy and alt comedy timeline lay out how the two scenes developed.

What are the main styles of alternative comedy?

The big ones are anti-comedy, absurdist and surreal comedy, character comedy, confessional storytelling, musical comedy, cringe and awkward comedy, and sketch that pushes past the usual format. Many performers mix several. If the vocabulary is new to you, our alt comedy glossary explains the terms.

Is alternative comedy still "alternative" now?

Partly. Techniques that once lived only in small rooms, such as long-form personal storytelling, deliberately awkward pacing and surreal sketch, now appear in big streaming specials and network sitcoms. The independent spirit survives in fringe shows, small venues and online video. We track that in our pieces on alt comedy in the 2020s and the rise of micro-venues.

What's a good first special to watch?

It depends on your taste, which is why we built a ranked list. Our 50 greatest alt comedy specials includes a range of styles, and the alt comedy archetype quiz can point you at the kind you're likely to enjoy. For something you can sample in minutes, try our 100 essential alt comedy sketches on YouTube.

Which podcasts should I start with?

Podcasts have been one of the main homes of alternative comedy since the late 2000s. Our best comedy podcasts of all time list and our podcast starter guide both recommend real shows to start with.

How do I see it live if I don't live in a big city?

Touring comedians regularly play mid-sized towns, and many smaller scenes run their own independent nights. Comedy festivals are a good way to see a lot of acts in a short trip. Our guides to comedy festivals and the open mic directory will help, and a search of local venue listings for "alternative" or "experimental" comedy often turns up more than you'd expect.

Who are the most important alternative comedians?

Any list starts with pioneers such as Andy Kaufman and the British Comic Strip generation, runs through the 1990s American scene of Janeane Garofalo, David Cross and Sarah Silverman, and continues with performers like Maria Bamford, Tig Notaro, Bo Burnham and Nathan Fielder. Our alt comedy all-stars page and the comedians section cover many more, and our 2026 list looks at newer names.

Which TV shows count as alternative comedy?

Sketch is where alternative comedy has most often reached television. Landmarks include The Kids in the Hall, Mr. Show with Bob and David, Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! and I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson. See our guides to The Kids in the Hall, Mr. Show, Tim and Eric and I Think You Should Leave, or the wider 25 greatest sketch shows.

Is improv a kind of alternative comedy?

They overlap but aren't the same thing. Improv is a technique, made up on the spot, and it's used in mainstream and alternative comedy alike. Many alternative comedians trained in improv, and some alt shows lean on it heavily. Our page on comedy improv explains the connection.

Is dark comedy the same as alternative comedy?

No. Dark comedy is about subject matter (death, illness, disaster), and it turns up everywhere from mainstream sitcoms to club sets. Alternative comedy is about approach. Plenty of alt comedy is gentle and silly, and plenty of dark comedy is completely conventional in form. More in our guide to dark comedy.

Getting into comedy yourself

How do I start doing alternative comedy?

The same way most comedians start: write, go to open mics and do it repeatedly. The difference is that in alternative rooms you have more freedom to try characters, props, music or odd structures. Our step-by-step guide on how to start in alt comedy covers the first year, and how to workshop material covers what happens after your first sets.

Do I need to take a class?

No, but classes can help. Many comedians started without one, while improv and sketch training at theatres such as UCB has launched plenty of careers (see our history of the UCB Theatre). Our page on comedy education weighs up the options.

How do I make a full hour or a special?

See our guides on writing a fringe hour, recording a comedy album and self-releasing a special.

About AltComedy.com

Who runs this site?

AltComedy.com is an independent editorial site, launched in 2025. Everything is written and edited by the AltComedy Editors. We publish under one shared byline, and the about page sets out the editorial standards every page follows.

How is the site funded?

By advertising served through Google AdSense. We don't sell products, take donations, run memberships or publish sponsored posts, and advertisers have no say over what we write.

Do you run a podcast, forum or events?

No. AltComedy.com is a reading site. We don't host a podcast, forums or live events, and we don't sell tickets or merchandise. Our pages point you to podcasts, shows and products made by other people.

Can I suggest a comedian or topic?

Yes, please do. Use the contact form and choose "Suggest a comedian or topic". We can't cover everything, but suggestions really do shape what we write next.

How do I report a mistake?

Use the contact form with the "Correction" topic, tell us which page and what's wrong, and include a source if you can. We check every report and fix genuine errors.

Can I write for AltComedy.com?

We don't currently publish guest posts or pitches from outside writers. All articles are produced by the AltComedy Editors.

How often is the site updated?

We add new pages and revise existing ones regularly rather than on a fixed schedule. Every article shows the date it was last updated under its headline, so you can see how current it is.

What data do you collect?

We use Google Analytics to understand which pages are read, and Google AdSense to show ads, both of which use cookies. If you use the contact form, we receive what you send. Full details are in our privacy policy and cookie policy.

How do I search the site or switch to dark mode?

Press / or Ctrl+K (Cmd+K on a Mac) to open search, or use the magnifying-glass button in the header. The moon button switches between light and dark themes. The help & support page has more tips.

Frequently asked questions

What is alternative comedy?

Alternative comedy is comedy that deliberately steps away from the conventions of the mainstream circuit of its time, whether that means the joke structure, the subject matter, the persona or the venue. The term began in Britain around 1979-80 and was later used in the US for the club-averse scene of the 1990s.

What is the difference between alternative and mainstream comedy?

It's a difference of approach rather than a strict genre line. Alternative comedy tends to favour experiment, personal or surreal material and independent rooms over polished, setup-punchline club sets, but many comedians move between both worlds and mainstream comedy keeps absorbing alternative techniques.

Is anti-comedy the same as alternative comedy?

No. Anti-comedy is one strand within alternative comedy: it gets laughs by withholding or subverting the expected punchline, as Andy Kaufman famously did. Plenty of alternative comedians tell perfectly conventional jokes about unconventional things.

Are all alternative comedians political?

No. The early British scene was strongly political, but alternative comedy today includes surrealists, character comedians, storytellers and musical acts whose work has little to do with politics. What they share is an appetite for trying something different.

Who started alternative comedy?

No single person did. In Britain the scene grew around the Comedy Store in London from 1979 and the Comic Strip from 1980, with performers such as Alexei Sayle, Rik Mayall and Ade Edmondson. In the US, 1990s rooms in Los Angeles and New York were central. Our page on the father of alt comedy weighs up the usual candidates.

Where can I watch alternative comedy online?

Major streaming services, especially Netflix, Max and Prime Video, carry many alt-leaning specials and series, and YouTube is full of sketches, clips and full sets posted by comedians themselves. Podcasts are another easy way in.