Emotional Labor in Stand-Up Comedy: The Tough Art of Making Laughs

Abstract Emotional labor (EL) refers to the efforts to manage one’s own emotions and to influence the emotions of others in order to achieve satisfactory work outcomes. Few studies have examined the dynamic process of the three components of EL: emotional demands (ED), emotional regulation strategies (ERS), and emotional performance (EP). This multiple case study investigated EL in stand-up comedians, a profession that allows us to understand the dynamics of the phenomenon. The improvisation that characterizes this type of show requires real-time adjustments to the comedian’s EP in response to the audience’s reaction. Six stand-up comedy programs (Brazil and Colombia) were analyzed using three data collection techniques: live observation of the show, a subsequent interview with the comedian, and a short questionnaire administered to some audience members at the end of the show. The results showed that, regardless of the country, there are similarities in the dynamics of EL, considering the three components in this type of show. The comedian’s EP can create a new emotional event in the audience, which may start a new cycle of EL. The study brings a methodological innovation in the approach to the phenomenon, using the analysis of actual events, strengthening the conceptual triad that underlies the EL construct.