How Humor Is Judged in the STAND-UP Discipline

As part of stand-up competitions, the World Humor Federation (WHF) has developed a transparent judging system to objectively evaluate comedic performances.

Each show is evaluated by a panel of 3 to 5 judges. These may include well-known comedians, public figures, opinion leaders, or respected professionals from various fields. All judges are familiarized with the evaluation criteria in advance and assign scores in real time during the performances. The scores are then totaled to determine the final result.

Each performance is evaluated according to 6 key criteria:

1. Comedic Material (Content)

- Originality and freshness of ideas
- Quality of jokes: wit, unexpected twists, wordplay
- Relevance to the assigned topic (if applicable)
- Avoidance of clichés and predictable setups

Score: 1–10

2. Delivery and Stage Presence

- Rhythm and pacing of the performance
- Voice modulation, facial expressions, gestures
- Energy and charisma on stage
- Confidence and audience engagement
- Speech clarity and articulation
- Level of preparation: improvised vs. rehearsed

Score: 1–10

3. Audience Interaction (Live Effect)

- Responsiveness to audience reactions
- Use of pauses and improvisation
- Ability to engage the crowd and generate emotional response
- Adaptation to the room’s energy and atmosphere

Score: 1–10

4. Performance Structure

- Logical flow and coherence of material
- Smooth transitions between topics
- Presence of an overarching narrative or storyline
- Strong opening and memorable closing (final punch)

Score: 1–10

5. Themes and Depth

- Tackling relevant and thought-provoking topics
- Ability to approach complex issues humorously
- Ethical awareness and cultural sensitivity
- Skill in “edgy” humor: addressing taboo subjects (xenophobia, sexism, homophobia, etc.) without crossing the line

Score: 1–5

6. Overall Charisma and Memorability

- Lasting impression of the performance
- Performer’s uniqueness and individual style
- Personal involvement in the material, presence of a personal story

Score: 1–5

Final Score:
The maximum total score is 50.
The sum of all category scores determines the comedian’s overall result.

ℹ️ Evaluation rules for other humor disciplines (such as decathlon, improvisation, club battles, etc.) are published in separate sections.