Wikipedia:Notability (comedy)

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This page gives some guidelines that can be used to decide if a comedy- or humor-related topic is notable.

Important note: Failing to satisfy the notability guidelines is not a criterion for speedy deletion. An article that fails to even claim that the subject of the article is notable can be speedy deleted under criterion A7, however. A mere claim of notability, even if contested, may avoid deletion under A7 and require a full Article for Deletion process to determine if the subject of the article is notable.

Lists like List of improvisational theatre companies and List of stand-up comedians link to articles on non-notable comedians, groups, and podcasters who aren't really prominent enough to warrant an article on Wikipedia. A notability guideline will prevent articles on non-notable subjects, help editors in shaping current articles, and aid in the evaluation of articles up for deletion. Previously, there were no notability requirements that addressed such subjects. Because good improv is regularly compared to jazz, and alternative comedy to rock music the most closely related requirements were those for music. Because the music notability guideline is similar to what is needed, and because it is an accepted proposal, it is the basis for this guideline.

Please note that the failure to meet any of these criteria does not mean an article must be deleted; likewise, the meeting of any of these criteria does not mean that an article must be kept. These are merely rules of thumb which some editors choose to keep in mind when deciding whether or not to keep an article that is on articles for deletion.

Also, please keep in mind that the article in question must actually document that the criterion is true. It is not enough to make vague claims in the article or assert a comedian or humorist's importance on a talk page or AfD page; the article itself must document notability.

[edit] Comedians, humorists, and comedy ensembles

There are a lot of stand-up comedians, alternative comedians, humorists, and sketch and improv groups with articles in the Wikipedia (see Category:Comedy).

A comedian, group, or theatrical show is notable if it meets any one of the following criteria:

1. The subject has been the subject of multiple non-trivial published works whose source is independent of the person/group/show and its creators/producers.
   • This criterion includes published works in all forms, such as newspaper articles, books, television documentaries, and full-length magazine reviews except for the following:
     • Media reprints of press releases and advertising. ¹
     • Trivial coverage, such as newspaper articles that simply report the name and date of a show.
2. Has gone on an international comedy tour, or a national concert tour in at least one country reported in reliable sources.
3. Contains at least one comedian who was once a part of or later joined a comedy group or show of a similar or related genre that is otherwise notable; note that it is often most appropriate to use redirects in place of articles on side projects and such.
4. Has become a prominent representative of a notable style or the local scene of a city; note that the subject must still meet all ordinary Wikipedia standards, including verifiability.
5. Has won a major award, such as the British Comedy Award or Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. ²
6. Has won or placed in a major comedy or talent competition. ²
7. Has performed in a featured slot in a major comedy show or festival, such as the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival or Comic Relief reported in reliable sources. ²
8. Has been the subject of a half hour or longer broadcast on a national radio or television network.
9. Is cited in reliable sources as being influential in style, technique, repertory or teaching in a particular comedic genre. ³
10. Has established a tradition or school.

See also the Wikipedia:Criteria for inclusion of biographies for notability guidelines for biography articles in general.

See also Wikipedia:Notability (web) for notability guidelines for humor Web sites.

[edit] Notes

• Note 1: Self-promotion and product placement are not the routes to having an encyclopaedia article. The published works must be someone else writing about the subject. (See Wikipedia:Autobiography for the verifiability and neutrality problems that affect material where the subject of the article itself is the source of the material.) The barometer of notability is whether people independent of the subject itself (or of its creator or producer) have actually considered the film notable enough that they have written and published non-trivial works that focus upon it.
• Note 2: These criteria are secondary. Most subjects that satisfy these criteria will almost always already satisfy the first criterion. However, this criterion ensures that our coverage of such content will be complete regardless.
• Note 3: This is nothing more than a sub-set of the first criterion.