How to win a gong show?

[Phil]

Gong shows suck. They promote negativity in comedy shows. I totally agree. ...but it's stage time, and probably in front of 100+ audience. So how do you win this thing?

All comics get 5 guaranteed minutes before you can get gonged out. Do I save my killer shit for 4:30? Do I do longer-form jokes to keep the gongers interested? Or one-liners so they dont get bored? Or should I just not give a shit cause gong shows are gay, and just go have fun?

[syh]

Do you have access to, say, a larger gong than they will have?

[I actually have no idea, but wish you a good set. May your ears ring not with the sound of gong, but of laughter]

[Alex Mac]

"A strange show...the only winning move is not to play."

[Cupid Stunt]

go and have fun and if you feel like you're going to get gonged, striptease

[aenemaTron]

Be funny in the beginning, middle and end of the five minutes.

[drieux]

I really don't have much idea on this???

Good thing you said something, then!

Competitions suck in general, but do it for the stage time and exposure to (possibly) an audience that typically doesn't attend standard comedy shows. It'll be a good learning experience. Do a tight five minutes of strong material and let the chips fall where they may.

Are Gong Show-type formats that typical where you're at?

[aenemaTron]

Good thing you said something, then!

That was spam.

[drieux]

That was spam.

I assumed it was...but at least take the time to write out a long, poorly-written diatribe that blatantly informs us of your intentions.

Or, we need a way to Gong crappy posts. Although that probably wouldn't work out in my favor.

[Phil]

Are Gong Show-type formats that typical where you're at?

Kinda sorta, I've heard about a few in the area, but Im sure thay 99% of the audience will be at their first comedy gong show.

So everyone gets 5 guaranteed minutes before anyone can hit the gong. So Im wondering if there's any strategy at all to this - at that 5 min mark, should I do oneliners? Or longer form stuff? Should I save my killer bits for then? Or just not give a shit and go have fun?

[soce]

Whoa, I actually performed at the official gong show last week at bb kings in times square!!! You can read more on the Wall St Journal. Along with Mike Amato, I played the part of a gay rapist during Jessica Delfino's stirring rendition of "Don't Rape Me", a tribute to the rape whistle. Fun!! We didn't get gonged!

Anyway I would say the key is to not be boring!! The acts that got gonged were either offensively terrible or else lost steam very quickly. Be exciting and talented. Grab the audience from the get-go, and never let go. Also quit while you're in the lead and leave them wanting more!

[Monty]

So how do you win this thing?

Have you considered being a hot chick?

[brandom]

Was there ever a contestant on the tv show that brought out their own gong?
You might have to go to a Spencers Gifts in Asia to get a huge one.

www.ehow.com/how_4523016_buy-gong.html

[Just Brett]

I'm about to be in a gong show too... my set will be 8 minutes, hopefully. How did yours go, Phil?

Or anyone else for that matter.

[Phil]

How did yours go, Phil?

They only had a few comics, so decided to do a regular show. Bummer cause I was all prepared thanks to great feedback from this thread.