Attitude vs Entertainment

I performed at a weed party thrown by a dispensary. It was a show with seven standup comedians and me in a windowless room with a secret entrance. No ventilation. Audience all smoking non-stop.

First glance, this might seem like a dream audience. I usually like a very alert audience, but wanted to see what this was about. Wanted to see if I could meet them where they were and give them a ‘memorable’ experience.

I usually try to watch as much of shows as I can. I am a sponge for learning more about performance; and also I want to understand and empathize with the audience before I go on. I could only watch a little of this show because I was gonna get really stoned from the ambiance and I needed to juggle for these people.

What I saw in this show amazed me and stuck with me.

The comedians were generally not doing well. The audience was very unfocussed. They were respectful. Most of the comedians were poking around. When a great live entertainer is flailing, they’ll keep adjusting until they find what the audience wants. Nobody was really finding it. I was in and out of the room checking each act.

The fourth act was reading jokes about marriage out of his notebook (ugh) and getting nothing from the audience. Five minutes in, he stopped. Looked up at the crowd. Said “I’m really nervous here because this room is full of smoke and I’m a Jew.” Killer. Big laughs from everyone. People shifted in their seats when they laughed. They were on board! This guy had done it! Next he said, “Oh, so you guys don’t like heady jokes about my wife, but you’ll laugh at Holocaust humor.” A little laugh. “My wife…”

WHAT!!!?!!! WHY!!?!???

I walked out flabbergasted.

When I came back in, it was my turn to perform. I killed. I scared the fuck out of them by juggling knives, I used short jokes. Changed the pacing, volume, proximity, and everything else non-stop to deal with short attention spans. Big laughs and engagement and it was fun. Just want to clarify that I am great here. It’s not the funnest type of audience, but it was good to know it’s possible to engage them.

This dude

This dude’s actions so stuck with me because of the attitude. I could not believe it. Here are some parts of it.

1. He pulled out a joke that was actually funny.
2. He connected with the moment.
3. He got the first solid laugh of the night.
4. He noticed that the audience liked it.
5. He determined what they liked.
6. He announced he knew what they liked.
7. He gave them no more of it.
8. He was not a beginner – pro over a decade and had made some TV appearances and stuff.

I had seen performers deny an audience the good stuff before, but never this knowingly and this blatantly. It was a certain apex of understanding for me.

It’s kill or be killed

Entertainment is a trade. Like other trades, it’s pass / fail. You shoe a horse or you don’t. You weave a rug or you don’t. You make them laugh or you don’t.

You don’t want your plumber to say “There’s still water pouring in your bedroom. My work is done. Your pipes didn’t really like my type of plumbing.”

This kind of defense mechanism doesn’t have a place in show business and it’s not rewarding for the performer.

Vulnerability is very rewarding and it’s the thing that connects best with an audience. Great standup is beautiful because it is so exposed and everyone in the room feels the stakes. “This person needs to make us laugh or they will die!”

We can always get locked up in “artistry” or “taste” because we get scared of facing the grade. Finding your audience and being amazing for them is one thing, but this story isn’t a case of a the wrong audience. He committed to this audience. If you have an audience that showed up for you, or you decided to make something for them; it’s up to you to provide them entertainment.