Bombing

[Thor Smash]

My first REAL stand up experience I did tonight was a total bomb. The only thing that could even remotely be considered funny was the fact that my punchlines were decent, but everything else was AWFUL. I went up on stage and just tried to be myself, but it wasn't funny at all. I recorded it and it's hard to watch. At first this god awful performance made me want to do stand up even more, but then it made me feel like I've got nothing going. Obviously, it's my first time and every comic is bound to fail, but this was atrocious. Sorry, I realize how many awful comments I have on my comedy, but is there a point when you pack it up and say, "This isn't for me?"
Any ideas on how to tell when it's just time to accept that stand-up doesn't suit me. Obviously I know that 1 performance doesn't mean I am not any good at it, but I really just need advice on how to become better....or, it would break my heart...just quit.

[Alex Mac]

Considering you said it was your first real experience (whatever that might entail), I would simply say that you are thinking waaaaay too far ahead. The bigger question is how do you think you can improve? Think about it and objectively assess what you think you did wrong. We can't give advice for something we didn't really see, right? That burden falls to you. Did you not give them room to breath between punchlines? Were you simply not confident? Did you misread your audience and do material that simply didn't work for the room you had? We can't tell you if you did. Only you can do that.

Not to sound harsh, but if you are thinking about quitting after what basically amounts to the first time you've done something, you are doing yourself a huge disservice. The risks are entirely outweighed by the rewards in this case. Bombing feels horrible but that feeling passes. But the feeling of really killing it or even doing moderately well? That is something you will never forget.

[AliasRomanian]

Everyone bombs. You mention that this is your first REAL stand up experience, what does this mean?

[Thor Smash]

My first time doing stand up was at a bible camp a couple months ago. I wrote some jokes down and read them from a paper. It is technically stand up. So, the one tonight was actually my second time. To clear that up. I want to continue doing stand up, no question. Just the feeling of being on-stage is amazing. I love it, I love the preparation, the rush, the chance to share myself with the world, but if a person repeatedly bombs it's tough. (Not that I know exactly what that's like) 2 performance-2 bombs. I guess it was not a real valid question. I quit if I feel it's not worth it. I was just very frustrated with my performance. To me, everything sounded good and funny and my roommate agreed, but it unfortunately didn't come out very well tonight. I am not a quitter, never have been, never will be. Back to the old drawing board.

[Thor Smash]

Here is a link to my performance. Please comment if possible. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mWscAi5oOQ

[Cupid Stunt]

I'd say lose the movie trailer guy and arnold impressions.

I can tell that you want to do a lot of characters in your routine. That's fine, just make sure they're original. Imagine how much better you will feel when an impersonation YOU CREATED gets a big laugh.


Also, don't say you "bombed." You're too new at this to bomb. I heard laughter, which is more than I got my second time. Don't be so hard on yourself.

That venue was NOT suited for comedy. You were really far from the audience, it was too bright, and there were people fucking with a P.A. behind you. You did your best.

Tips for next time:
1. Relax. You WANT to do this. If you laughed at what you wrote, then there is no reason to be nervous. If you aren't having fun, the audience won't.
2. Don't wear shorts.
3. Engage the audience (don't look down). Read the Louis CK interview on here where he talks about how Chris Rock gave him advice on this. It helped me tremendously and it will help you too.

[Thor Smash]

Appreciate the advice very much. Someday I hope to reciprocate the favor and lend advice to newbies, too!

[CarolineEAnd]

I agree with Cupid, that venue didn't look great. I happen to love doing stand-up in dark smokey bars. When it's too well lit, people are distracted.

Find a new venue. Tighten up some jokes. Keep trying.

[James Smann]

I haven't known of one successful comic/comedian that didn't absolutely die on stage many, many times. We had this duo of heckler-dudes in their mid-50's once be so relentless and every thing we tried to shut them up just amped their energy level up a notch, that we just said "fuck it" and walked off. Some rooms are tougher than others, some nights just suck. For us we hope that the number of good and great nights outnumber the bomb nights enough to make it worth it.

Doing sketch comedy for 10 years has also given me a different perspective on bombing too. In one 60 minute show you can have a sketch die, then another one kills right after it, then another bomb, etc. The audience is a fickle bitch, and when she loves ya, she loves ya. When she doesn't, it sucks assholes through a paper napkin. And the mood can turn really quickly...but we always knew that the next sketch could save the show right back...so I kind of approach stand up the same way; the next joke can save the routine.

[Thor Smash]

Been dry lately with ideas. Any tips on generating new ideas you guys have?

[CarolineEAnd]

Been dry lately with ideas. Any tips on generating new ideas you guys have?

I'm always inspired by good comedy. Give yourself a christmas present of a bunch of stand-up albums (since Christmas I bought some Greg Behrendt, Graham Elwood, Greg Proops, Brent Weinbach, and a couple of Dragon Boy Suede tracks I didn't have). Hang out with friends that you think are funny. Sometimes I'll just be annoyed by something or frustrated and think "Can I do anything with this?"

Keep on trying!

[Thor Smash]

I bought myself a voice recorder to keep track of ideas. I'm very happy with that. I get some ideas sometime that seem amusing to me, record them, and then try to put it together later. Still working on some, but it's been a challenge. I'll keep at it. Thank you Caroline! Maybe I'm retarded, but what do you mean by albums? Does that mean DVDs or live performances? I don't have jack squat for money, so unfortunately for me it's what's on YouTube and what I can download.

[scamboogah]

Maybe I'm retarded, but what do you mean by albums?

I usually assume that anyone using the phrase 'Maybe I'm retarded' is being facetious, but not in this case.

[CarolineEAnd]

Maybe I'm retarded, but what do you mean by albums? Does that mean DVDs or live performances? I don't have jack squat for money, so unfortunately for me it's what's on YouTube and what I can download.

Btjunkie.org
But use it sparingly. Only torrent that which you absolutely cannot afford, and fully intend to pay for later (I'm not huge into piracy, but towards the end of the month when I'm waiting for a paycheck....sometimes I'll indulge).

I'll private message you with a list of comics that I've found to be very inspiring (mainly because it'll be long and I don't want to fill it up).

[Cupid Stunt]

lala.com is a good site to sample some comedy stuff.

if you create an account, you can stream entire albums (one time only)

I find this is good for comedy albums since there isn't a lot of replay value

[Adult Ed]

I don't remember all of the details of the story, but it goes like this. A golfer at a pro-am misplays a shot and complains to the pro in his foursome that he choked. The pro looks at him and laughs and says "You didn't choke. You aren't good enough to choke."

It was your first time on stage. No matter what happened out there, you didn't bomb.

[maxbarth]

First, I apologize for not reading most of the posts on this thread.

Secondly, my advice is to drink a beer (or three) before you go on stage next time. It can't go worse, it sounds like, so what do you have to lose? Absolutely nothing. If it works, then try and repeat without it. Or become an alcoholic. Whatevs.