Beyond Laughter: An Analytical Study of Selected Bukusu Stand-up TikTok Performances

Abstract

Stand-up comedy has emerged as a distinct subgenre within the comedic landscape, captivating audiences worldwide with its unique blend of humour and performance artistry. This form of entertainment not only induces laughter but also provides a sense of relief and joy to its spectators. Through its therapeutic essence, stand-up comedy offers a nuanced perspective on life's intricacies in a light-hearted manner. While it is often categorized as mere amusement, this paper delves deeper into the theatrical dimensions of stand-up comedy, exploring its societal significance. The role of stand-up comedy in shaping societal discourse is multifaceted and profound. Beyond its surface entertainment value, it serves as a platform for dialogue and introspection. This examination delves into the conversational techniques employed by comedians, as well as the paralinguistic elements of their performances. Moreover, it scrutinizes the utilization of music, symbolism, caricature, subtle irony, and improvisation, along with the interactive dynamics between performers and audiences. Drawing upon the General Theory of Verbal Humour, stand-up comedy performances are analysed as oral texts, shedding light on their intricate linguistic and comedic structures. Additionally, the concept of entextualization, which involves transforming spoken dialogue into textual form, is employed to dissect the underlying layers of comedic expression. Namalwa Chesoli and Choffuri who are Kenyan comedians on tiktok are purposefully selected as exemplars of stand-up comedy, their live digital performances serving as primary sources for analysis. Through a combination of performance and literary scrutiny, this study seeks to unveil the profound societal role played by stand-up comedy, transcending its perception as mere entertainment to emerge as a significant cultural phenomenon.