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Jimmy Carr: Teach stand-up in schools | 'It’s more relevant than music' © Matt Holyoak

Jimmy Carr: Teach stand-up in schools

'It’s more relevant than music'

Jimmy Carr thinks stand-up should be taught in schools.

The comic says the art has unique benefits in helping develop linguistic skills and to help youngsters find out who they are and process their experiences. 

Speaking to Chris Williamson during a nearly three-hour episodes of his Modern Wisdom podcast, Carr said:  ‘My big thing on stand-up comedy is that I think it should be taught. I think it should be taught in schools. 

‘I think it’s more relevant than music. I think music’s incredibly important but I think stand-up should be taught in schools.

‘Think what it’s about. It’s about verbal dexterity and it’s about being able to express yourself and it’s about finding your voice and expressing who you are and it’s a perspective on life where you’re seeing the lighter side and trying to find fun in something.’

He explained how humour can offer a more healthy perspective on embarrassing incidents.

He said: ‘There’s two stories. One story is about a guy, you know, shitting himself on a train, and it’s just a "ah I had the worst day ever". And then there’s some perspective where you go that’s the funniest story I’ve ever heard.

‘There’s something about the ability of a comedian to kinda shift perspectives, and for me comedy has a function in society that no one is calling. We’re pushing the Overton window. We’re always at the edge of what is and what isn’t acceptable.’

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Published: 17 Oct 2023

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