PLAYOFFS & COMEDY

Playoffs are poison for comedy. I recently did a show in a city where their team was in game 5 of a NBA Playoff series at the same time and within blocks of my show. So many people who had tickets to my show, didn't even show up. Stand Up Comedy can't compete with sports.

When I schedule shows in Chicago, I am mindful of sports schedules. This goes back to when I used to book music shows with my company Shoeshine Boy Productions. We booked shows at multiple venues in Wrigleyville, where the Cubs play, so we always wanted to avoid certain nights for live music.

When booking my Parkinsons charity every year, I always make sure to check the Bears' schedule so I know I am not competing with the Bears. Chicago takes it football seriously, even when the Bears are not great.

Numbers for shows are down overall for all comedy clubs, especially in the Midwest where people want to enjoy the weather. Add to it NHL and NBA playoffs and the uncertainty of the economy, its hard to sell tickets for most comedians and comedy clubs. I am hopeful that will change soon. #comedy #standup #formerlawyer #formermusician