Last year I sat down with a couple of comics who were going to appear at one of Surflight Theatre’s Comedy Tonight shows and asked how comedy had changed over their long years in the business.

One thing they agreed on was that comedy pairs had almost disappeared from the scene for a very basic reason. Comedy club owners were very reluctant to pay two performers. Thus, more than ever before, stand-up has become one guy or gal in front of a microphone.

The basic setup of most comedy duos is simple – a usually deadpan “straight man” sets up his or her partner who…