# Stand-Up Comedy, Authenticity, and Assertion **Abstract:** Stand-up comedy is often viewed in two contrary ways. In one view, comedians are hailed as providing genuine social insight and telling truths. In the other, comedians are seen as merely trying to entertain and not to be taken seriously. This tension raises a foundational question for the aesthetics of stand-up: Do stand-up comedians perform genuine assertions in their performances? This article considers this question in the light of several theories of assertion. We conclude that comedians on stage do not count as making genuine assertions—rather, much like actors on a stage, they merely pretend to perform speech acts. However, due to norms of authenticity that govern stand-up comedy, performers can nonetheless succeed in conveying genuine insights. Thus, our account accommodates both the seemingly incompatible aspects of our ordinary appreciation of stand-up comedy and points toward deeper philosophical understanding of stand-up comedy as a unique art form. Tell the truth—that’s the basic rule of comedy. Tell the truth. —Rosie O’Donnell I’m a comedian, for God’s sake. Viewers shouldn’t trust me. And you know what? They’re hip enough to know they shouldn’t trust me. I’m just doing stand-up comedy. —Dennis Miller Stand-up comedy is often praised for providing insight into ordinary life, revealing uncomfortable truths about society, or presenting a unique perspective on current events. Comedians such as George Carlin, Richard Pryor, and Dave Chappelle are not merely celebrate **Authors:** [[Jesse Rappaport and Jake Quilty]]