What Would it Take For a Comedian to Win ‘America’s Got Talent’?
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During America’s Got Talent‘s past 19 seasons, there has yet to be a stand-up winner. Comics have come agonizingly close as runner-ups and finalists, but the top prize has yet to be given to a comedian. What will it take for a comedian to finally win it all?
Mastering the Comedy Craft Is Not Enough to Win AGT
Many stand-up comedians have made it far on AGT, like Tom Cotter, Taylor Williamson, and Preacher Lawson. Their material is tight, delivery polished, and stage presence commanding.
However, being a stellar comic is seemingly not enough to be crowned as the AGT champion. Acts like ventriloquist Terry Fator, magician Mat Franco, and singer Grace Vanderwaal have won without being the absolute best in their fields.
On AGT, the comedy has to go beyond executing a great stand-up set. As Howie Mandel often says, “there needs to be an extra something special or unique.” Typically, successful AGT comedians add an element of novelty beyond just quality jokes.
For example, comics like Josh Blue and Ryan Niemiller blend comedy with storytelling. These comedians use the art to shed light on their battles with cerebral palsy and ectrodactyly (respectively). Originality is especially clear for these comics.
Stand-Up Comedians Have to Entertain Viewers in a Meaningful Way
Many comics excel at rapid-fire jokes, but fall short of making a deeper connection with the audience. The most successful AGT comedians either incorporate their personal lives into material or are masters of crowd work. Watching Drew Lynch work with his stutter or Blue joke about disability forges an emotional bond absent in standard stand-up.
Ahren Belisle, another comedian who suffers from cerebral palsy, became a fan favorite due to how he communicates through a text-to-speech app. In short, relatability, sincerity, and vulnerability likely resonate more with voters than one-liners.
A comic must make audiences care beyond just making them laugh. Viewers need a reason to passionately support a comedian they just met. Finding organic ways to provide insight into life experiences appears crucial.
In summary, a stellar stand-up set alone seems insufficient for an AGT victory. To become the first comedian champion, an act likely needs a unique twist to the comedy, a deep connection with the audience, and outstanding joke choices for finale performances.
