Bright ‘Basketmouth’ Okpocha, Nigerian comedian and actor, says stand-up comedy is dying in Nigeria.

He thinks a number of comedians are taking the easy way out by doing skits rather than actually doing standup comedy.

The comedian made the remark on Thursday while participating in a panel discussion at the Viacom International Media Networks Africa (VIMN Africa) forum held at the ongoing Social Media Week (SMW) Lagos.

Speaking on the theme, ‘Music, Content and Consumer Experiences…Changing The African Narrative’, Basketmouth urged comedians to improve their content for stand-up comedy.

“There’s nothing like a good joke,” he said.

“A joke can always be improved and even I often share some of my jokes with fellow comedians and they tell me it is okay, but they later tell me how to make it better.

“Doing skits on social media is very different from performing on stage. There is no filter on stage.”

Basketmouth urged budding comedians to employ more creativity in creating quality content that will satisfy the expectations of their target audience.

He said: “While it is good for us to evolve, we have to remember to make content that has substance. We need to understand our target audience and what they need.

“Create content that is buyable. All you need is good content and it will sell by itself.”

The ace comedian also advised upcoming acts to create a large fan base for themselves before they seek out brands for showcasing opportunities.

The panel session, which had about 100 people in attendance, was moderated by Folu Storms, MTV Base video-jockey.

It featured contributions from Steve Babaeko, CEO of X3M Ideas Limited, and Ayeni Adekunle, founder of BlackHouse Media Group.

Source: https://www.mtetimes.com/2019/celebrities/stand-up-comedy-is-dying-in-nigeria-basket-mouth-cries-out

They should set up a Stand Up Comedy Hospital.

“Doing skits on social media is very different from performing on stage. There is no filter on stage.”

Some comedians while on stage are cursed at or insulted by members of the audience while some get less than what was agreed upon by the organisers of the show. Who would want to go through that, when now you can easily open a YouTube channel or have an Instagram tv page, upload videos, get views and get your channel monetized with ads.

No insult , No cheating. You get paid.

As buhari done tight everywhere for four years so, most comedians have realized that many Nigerians are too angry and hungry. Rather than waste money and precious time organising a show with low turn out at the end of the day, they prefer to upload their skits and vids online for people to watch whenever they feel like. They will get views, get ads on their channel or page and get paid.

Shikena!

Just take a good look at the number of views on each of bovi's videos and tell me why a new up coming comedian would want to go through the hurdles and stress of organizing a show in this hard tough system buhari has blessed us with.

Ole! Then quit it for others. What are u still doing there

You've made money your own way, now it hurts you to see others making it their way right ??

Well, comedy skits are the new IT! DEAL WITH IT!

Gone are the days when they'll be charging between #500,000 to #1million just to go see a comedy show
One day's event o...the nerve of those comedians

NEVER AGAIN !
With comedy skits, you can get a good laugh while on the go...No time !

Gud4 una,
D only tin u guys do nowadays is to body shame ur guest

You guys are not really funny again jor

No b who get money go go shows?

Lol.. everyone don turn g boys na. What do you expect

It is dying because you guys lack the creativity to push it forward and any industry that is suffering from creativity will eventually die.
Upon the lack of creativity you still quote exhortant price for the show; anything don't just die they suffer from a disease or ailment this is your ailment you better take to hospital or prepare for wake keep.

Azin eh! Also, everywhere you look now everyone is now a comedian!

Sitcoms are taking the lead

Buhari is responsible.......

It used to flourish under PDP but not again today


Vote wisely

No more free money in Naija.. Everybody must hustle now.
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Sai baba.

I blame buhari

Why won't it die.... when all you guys can offer us is .....IF ARMY SLAP U EEHHH..I dey always vex anything I hear this statement...I will be like what is wrong with this country....why would army slap me...no matter my offense..they don't have the right to slap me....they will jst be giving this useless army moral to be doing nonsense in town

Nah..


People just prefer to Instagram and chill with their bae instead of buying 5k ticket that they wont see squat!

no money to go show. vote atiku

ZombiePUNISHER:


Poverty-stricken country under Buhari cannot afford such luxury

Vote wisely

This economy now nah cut your cloth to your chest even if it can't reach your knees. Make body no dey naked.

That's why u went to release rubbish music

People are so frustrated that nothing amuse them anymore, so basket mouth you have to look for another profession

Nigerians are not smiling...

Don't beg, just differ..

Thanks to Buhari's very poor economic policies, people can't afford to eat, let alone pay N5000 for regular seats and the rich can't pay N1m for "tables for 5".

Is that why you went and sing trash? ?? Please unsing that song. Dafuck is their father, their mother, their house. You wan kill music for Nigeria ni??

So you know that you are no longer funny ?

Chasing money..