Comments on: How to deal with rough crowds: A stand-up comic's advice for Sarah Lacy

By: Comedy club imposes laughable rules for performers

Comedy club imposes laughable rules for performers — Wed, 26 May 2010 04:49:26 +0000

[...] // '); })(); //]]> It’s been years, but I used to work as a stand up comic (scroll to the bottom to see a video of me on stage). On my way up the comedy food chain, I [...]

By: Social media “gurus” and bloggers are egotistical jerks

Social media “gurus” and bloggers are egotistical jerks — Tue, 04 May 2010 16:37:55 +0000

[...] “How to deal with rough crowds: A stand-up comic’s advice for Sarah Lacy.” Biggest mistakes by social media gurusJaffeJuice Podcast: Biggest Mistakes Made by Social Media GurusLooking for social media rule breakersHey PR, bloggers are not tools to be usedEnterprise 2.0 Conf: Creating a socialization plan for deploying social media in the Enterprise Post to [...]

By: Stand up comedian vs. on-stage heckler : Spark Minute

Stand up comedian vs. on-stage heckler : Spark Minute — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 19:04:22 +0000

[...] him how good he is tearing him up. Really funny stuff. Very impressed with how Joe handled himself. I’ve got an article with advice on how to handle rough crowds, but definitely watch this video to show how to tear someone to [...]

By: Beth Schumann

Beth Schumann — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 18:00:05 +0000

Really nice piece. You’ve covered a lot of good tactics. One thing I might add is a strategy of “heckler prevention.” Don’t ask the audience questions unless you need an answer to deliver your next line. “Who’s married?” etc. when you really don’t care, you’re going to do your marriage material anyway, is totally unnecessary. And it might signal to the audience that it is ok to participate, after all, you’ve invited them to do so. This is part of the “stay in control” advice above, I guess.

By: Bill

Bill — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 03:06:34 +0000

Good stuff David, thanks for sharing! – B

By: David Spark

David Spark — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 20:00:58 +0000

Ah, that’s a great story. Reminds me of the classic line Steve Martin used to use when he had a heckler.

“Yeah, I remember my first beer.”

By: Wade Rockett

Wade Rockett — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 19:44:07 +0000

I was impressed with musician Jonathan Coulton’s command of the room when he performed for several thousand hyperactive geeks at a videogame expo in Seattle last year. At one point when the crowd got out of hand, Coulton stopped and in a kind-but-firm-schoolteacher voice said, “Who’s the audience? …And who’s the performer?” It got a laugh, and the audience quieted down immediately.

By: Timothy Kendrick

Timothy Kendrick — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 17:00:06 +0000

Thanks for the tips. I totally agree when you speak of being in control on stage. Especially about using your voice (quietly). Great advice and some great reminders. Thank you

By: Ellisa

Ellisa — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 16:38:59 +0000

Great advice -have you shared this with Sarah?
Also, funny bit on the Sims :)

By: David Mullings

David Mullings — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 13:28:55 +0000

Thanks for the advice. I have only done stand-up twice in college but had a few experiences on the stage and I can totally relate to the advice, especially the part about speaking directly to one member of the audience – saved me at one event in front of 750 people.