Types of Comedy

At The Bit, we focus mainly on long-form improv and sketch comedy, though we also produce short-form and stand-up comedy. Here are the differences.

Long-form improv is a spontaneous artistic expression usually inspired by one audience suggestion at the beginning of the show. In long-form improv, the actors are free to explore the performance to find the interesting parts. It is completely made up on the spot. (Examples: Murderville, Middleditch and Schwartz)
Short-form improv is very interactive and relies more heavily on audience participation than long-form. Generally performed as a series of games with rules that the performers follow, it is completely made up on the spot. (Examples: Whose Line Is It Anyway?)
Sketch comedy shows consist of scripted scenes which are usually rehearsed, performed, and perfected. (Examples: Saturday Night Live, Key & Peele, The Kids in the Hall, Mad TV, Aunty Donna’s Big Ol’ House of Fun, I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson)
Stand-up comedy is probably the most familiar form of comedy to the majority of people. Usually, it is a scripted series of jokes performed by one comedian with a microphone. (Examples: What every comedian’s mom thinks they do, What Netflix spends money on)