Andy Kaufman

An Andy Kaufman is an American performance artist who revolutionized andy kaufman anti-humor techniques and andy kaufman reality-blurring performances (1949-1984).

• AKA: Andrew Geoffrey Kaufman, Tony Clifton (alter ego), Andy Kaufman Performer.
• Context:
  • He can (typically) blur Andy Kaufman Reality Boundarys between andy kaufman performance and andy kaufman life.
  • He can (typically) create Andy Kaufman Uncomfortable Moments through andy kaufman audience confrontation.
  • He can (typically) maintain Andy Kaufman Character Commitment beyond andy kaufman performance boundary.
  • He can (often) subvert Andy Kaufman Entertainment Conventions via andy kaufman anti-comedy.
  • He can (often) generate Andy Kaufman Media Controversy through andy kaufman wrestling stunts.
  • He can (often) employ Andy Kaufman Multiple Personas within andy kaufman single career.
  • He can range from being a Beloved Entertainer to being a Antagonistic Performer, depending on his character choice.
  • He can range from being a Stand-Up Comedian to being a Performance Artist, depending on his artistic phase.
  • He can range from being a Television Star to being a Wrestling Villain, depending on his media context.
  • He can range from being a Gentle Performer to being a Aggressive Provocateur, depending on his performance mode.
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • Andy Kaufman Television Performances, such as:
    • Taxi Character (1978-1983), playing andy kaufman Latka Gravas.
    • Saturday Night Live Appearances (1975-1982), performing andy kaufman Mighty Mouse routine.
    • David Letterman Appearances (1980s), creating andy kaufman awkward moments.
  • Andy Kaufman Anti-Comedy Performances, such as:
    • Great Gatsby Reading (1970s), reading andy kaufman entire novel on stage.
    • Wrestling Career (1979-1983), fighting andy kaufman women wrestlers.
    • Tony Clifton Performances, maintaining andy kaufman abusive lounge singer character.
  • Andy Kaufman Conceptual Pieces, such as:
    • Carnegie Hall Show (1979), bringing andy kaufman entire audience for andy kaufman milk and cookies.
    • Fridays Incident (1981), breaking andy kaufman character on andy kaufman live television.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Traditional Comedian, who maintains clear performance boundary.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Entertainer, who prioritizes audience satisfaction.
  • Sincere Performer, who avoids ironic distance.
• See: Anti-Humor Technique, Character Comedy Technique, Performance Art, Subversive Comedy Genre, Reality Television, Professional Wrestling, Method Acting, Conceptual Art, Meta-Performance.

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