British comedian Jimmy Carr hasn’t minced his words when he told interviewer Chris Williamson that stand-up comedy should be taught in schools AND that it’s more relevant than music!
Carr emphasised that stand-up comedy isn’t just about making people laugh, but rather it is a powerful tool for developing important life skills. “Think about 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,” he explained.
Watch part of Jimmy Carr’s interview below:
This idea of teaching stand-up comedy in schools isn’t new for Carr. In an earlier interview with Joe Rogan, Carr made similar points. “I don’t think it’s a dumb idea to teach stand-up comedy and to say, everyone should give this a go. My vision is that it gets taught in school,” he stated. Carr even hinted at launching his own comedy course, unsure whether it would be online or in person.
Embarking on the journey of stand-up is often perceived as reserved for the naturally witty, but Carr and Rogan both agreed that while some have “magical thinking,” for the rest, it can be taught. Rogan shared that he’s considered offering a course himself at his Comedy Mothership venue in Austin, Texas, to help up-and-coming comics with material and editing techniques.
According to Carr, comedy also plays a crucial societal role. “There’s something about the ability of a comedian to kind of shift perspectives,” he said. “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.”
Carr’s argument underlines a broader vision of education that values communication skills, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking as much as academic knowledge. With advocates like Carr and Rogan championing the cause, schools may start to encourage class clowns.