Tough Crowd

The crowd at Joe Franklin's Comedy Club last night was tough, tough, tough. They just weren't givin' it up, to anyone, for anything. The headliner was black albino, Victor Varnado, a guy whose unique style and stories I quite enjoy. They didn't even perk up for the headline act, something I've never seen before. Usually no matter how stingy a crowd is, they'll finally start getting into it once they've gotten their two drinks in them ... not these folks.

I think part of a the problem is that the light in the room is too bright. There's a good reason comedy clubs are usually dark. If people feel like they're being too-closely watched, they get self conscious. If they're self conscious, they won't laugh. In fact, like a geisha they'll actually intentionally stifle their own laughter because the don't want to be seen laughing. I saw some of them doing that last night.

I gently mentioned the lighting to the show producer afterwards and she agreed. In fact, she's way ahead of me. She said dimmers are being installed, which I think will help the atmosphere immensely. It's a small thing, but it's one of the many factors that determine whether a show works or not.

Despite the crowd's low energy, I enjoyed myself. Leighann Lord's attitude rings in my ears, "They're facing the stage and they're paying attention. I can work with that."

And so can I.

I dragged a few good laughs out of them and tried a few new things I've been wanting to do.

One of them is a simple little audience participation gag that worked far better than I'd ever hoped it could. In fact, them being only barely engaged made it work even better.

I've been thinking a lot lately about how material that actively engages the audience usually gets the strongest response of anything. That's why crowd work, works.

I was also thinking this week about two things: how I enjoyed having fun at the expense of last week's hecklers, and how one of my girl comic friends at the show was teasing me for the white silk pants I often wear to perform.

I combined these two things into the following little practical joke on the audience.

I did two short bits, including the opening bit about my new clothes, and then I said,

"I have a theory I'm hoping you folks will help me out with. I think comedy show audiences can be divided into two groups. So group one, by applause please, everyone who's already figured out that I'm your token homo comic for the night."

[A smattering of chuckles and two people clapped timidly.]

"And the second group, by applause please, blind retards."

[Big laughs, nods of recognition and most of the rest of the audience applauds.]

"You sir, you couldn't figure it out?! How much help did you need?! I'm wearing white pants and the gayest shirt ever! I got this shirt because the costume department for Will & Grace thought it was just too flamboyant!"

The bit worked really well, but for exactly the opposite reason I thought it would.

I expected almost everyone would respond to the first question, leaving only a couple people to pick on with the second question. Instead, only a couple people responded to the first question. So by refusing to participate, they put themselves into the second category without knowing what it would be. So part two worked as a kind of "Gotcha!"

I like this bit a lot and plan to make it part of my regular set whenever I'm the only gay comic in a show with a straight crowd. I think it will play especially well with the tourists.

Speaking of Leighan, she mentioned me in her blog recently. She commented on me, commenting on her. And now I'm commenting on that. Oh the circle of love just goes 'round and 'round.