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The rise of stand-up comedy
Ryan Adriandhy: Courtesy of Kawanku
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Ryan Adriandhy: Courtesy of Kawanku.
Comedy shows have become part of the lineup in Indonesian TV program. One of the most long-standing comedy programs on state-owned TVRI is Ria Jenaka, featuring local comedy figures in shadow play, such as Semar, Petruk and Gareng.
During the Soeharto regime, the government censored many kinds of art activities, including comedy shows, to prevent any criticism and people power movements. Therefore, in the past, comedy shows were mostly slapstick. For example, comedian group Warkop DKI, which was quite critical of the government, had to bow to censorship restrictions and switch to slapstick.
Unlike slapstick that laughs at and makes fun of other people’s misfortune, stand-up comedians, also known as comics, need to prepare and deliver their material as well as make sure their audiences do not misinterpret their jokes. Since stand-up comedians interact with their audiences, they must also be able to tolerate heckling from audiences.
Comedy group Bagito and the late comedian Taufik Savalas helped set the foundation for stand-up comedy, albeit only at the level of telling jokes. Iwel Wel became Indonesia’s first well-known stand-up comedian in 2004. Iwel later became more famous through satirical TV program Republik Mimpi and Democrazy.
Recently, stand-up comedy got a new boost when a café in Kemang, South Jakarta, gave comedians a place to perform. It received more coverage when Metro TV aired performances at the café, while Kompas TV held a competition to pick the best comedian.
The competition had 10 finalists and three judges: veteran comedian Indro Warkop DKI, comedian Butet Kertaradjasa and actress Astrid Tiar. Hosts of the program were radio host-rapper Pandji Pragiwaksono and blogger-turned-writer-turned-MC Raditya Dika. The participants of the competition have been invited to perform at events and on other TV shows.
For example, comic Rony Immanuel “Mongol” has been seen in motivational show Mario Teguh: The Golden Way, which is aired on Metro TV, as a stand in for the show’s regular MCs. Some even have their own show, such as winner Ryan Adriandhy with A la Ryan and runner-up Insan Nur Akbar with Kelakar. Both shows are aired on Kompas TV.
According to Indro Warkop DKI, stand-up comedy is a comedy genre that has gained popularity among the young generation in urban areas.
Indro said that stand-up comedy first gained popularity in the US, and in the same vein, stand-up comedy in Indonesia should make use of topics that resonate with the public.
“Comedy is serious. Without seriousness, you can’t enjoy comedy, especially since stand-up comedy is a verbal kind of comedy. The point is that the comedians should be able to deliver a joke verbally as well as use other means,” he told news portal kapanlagi.com.
Indonesians have learned to keep their sense of humor alive to overcome adversity during the country’s checkered past, making a good laugh always welcome here.
— Tifa Asrianti —
