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How did Steve Martin use self-parody and an exaggerated stage character in his act?

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Bob Hope with the USO — stand-up comedy Bob Hope with men of X Corps, Wonsan, Korea, 1950.

Steve Martin revolutionized stand-up comedy in the 1970s by utilizing self-parody and an ironic, exaggerated stage persona to mock the conventions of traditional show business.1

Rather than performing as a conventional comedian, Martin adopted the character of a smug, ludicrously un-self-aware clown. This persona was defined by its lack of genuine comedic talent, which Martin highlighted through absurd props—such as an arrow through his head—and the repeated, ironic use of catchphrases like "I am a wild and crazy guy!" and "Well, excuuuuse me!".12

By impersonating the "worst practitioner imaginable," Martin poked fun at the very nature of performance and celebrity. This approach resonated deeply with audiences, propelling him to become one of the most popular stand-up comedians in history and setting a trend for the era's vogue of ironic put-ons and self-parody.12