Blog Archives

How Do You Handle a Small Crowd?

12/26/2024

Sometimes I get to do a show for crowds of thousands and yes, sometimes I have to do a show for less than that. Much less. I recently did a show for 4 people. Yes, Four. It wasn't the first time either.
Most comedy clubs have a minimum before they continue with a show, usually between 6 - 15 people. Smaller rooms and clubs will let the comedian decide. I think if there is less than 10 people, the show should generally be cancelled, unless its a smaller room that only holds 20-30 people but in this recent case, I had no say. And since I was closing the showcase of comedians, the show had already started before I arrived to close it out. The show must go on.

This show I did for 4 people was in a smaller room but if I knew in advance, I would probably not have done the show. Not that I have done shows for less than five people before; I have. But by the time I got to the show (I was closing), it was clear that the audience was well aware of the irregularity of the situation. They were not comfortable for whatever reason and I am not sure if the comedians before me drew attention to the situation or not.

If "the show must go on" and I have any say, I would tell the club or producer to shorten the show. Its already awkward for the audience to see that its smaller so they will not mind if a show is shorter. That didn't happen here but it was a smaller room and the other comedians went into the audience to make it "more full." I could tell nobody had left to even leave the bathroom for fear of being pointed out by one of the audience members.

The last thing to do is bring attention to the crowd size. It's not their fault that the show is not crowded, so I didn't blame them. They actually showed up to laugh, so I tried make them laugh. And when things I planned to do didn't work, I still tried to make them laugh or at least, be entertained. I still have a job to do and these four people paid to be entertained, not be yelled at or ridiculed for not laughing as hard as a room of 300.

Obviously, it wasn't gonna be the same set as a full crowd so I have to adjust and maybe make it personal and try to include them in a more conversational show, as opposed to a regular set. I talked to them about stuff from my set that they could relate to or at least remember. I also wanted to work out some new jokes but I sandwiched them in between some "hits" that I knew would possible work.

In the end, I had a good time and I think at least one of them had a good time. Thats batting .250 which is not bad. #standup #careerchange #comedy

0 Comments

What Was Your Worst Bomb?

12/21/2024

0 Comments

This is a question comedians are asked very often. I run a show called Stand Ups Sit Down (last 2 Mondays at Laugh Factory Chicago) where the audience can ask comedians questions and every week, we get this one. But what people don't know is how important a bomb is for a comedian's growth. The takeaway from any bomb is what you learn.

I have a few that come to mind. One was a bar show in L.A in 2018 which I still have saved on my phone to keep me humble. That was a notoriously hard room but I learned how to adjust to crowds who don't have time for prepared jokes. I learned the importance of riffing and talking to the crowd instead of at them. Every comedians needs them.

The other one was in 2017 when I did my first college campus show. I had no idea how sensitive they were and even though I was warned, I didn't think my self deprecating jokes about being Middle Eastern and 9/11 (Hack I know!) would fail so epically. I now know how to work around the sensitive issues that comes with college crowds. Although college campuses are not as sensitive as they used to be, I hear.

If you have any questions for me, message me directly or come ask them at my show at Laugh Factory this Monday and next. I can give you free tickets if you message me as well! hashtag
#bombing #standup #growth #formerlawyer #comedian