Last Show Of The Year

Last night was the last show of the year. 2 weeks off the stage at Nikki’s Bar & Grill and 3 weeks until I can touch it again. I can’t wait. I already miss it. A young comic asked me if I was nervous and I told him always. The nerves are different as the producer of the show because you not only have to worry about your set going well, you have to worry about everyone else’s as well. Putting the line up together, worrying if comics will show up, hoping that you have a good turnout, what am I going to say, so and so just showed up and wants to do 5 mins, there’s a baby screaming in the background etc etc…

As soon as the show starts, the feeling changes. Now it is about having the best time and trying to make sure everyone else is having a good time too. This year had its ups and downs; packed nights, empty nights and everything in between were all nights that we got up there and tried to be better comedians. We got the opportunity to practice what we love in front of a captive audience. The audience may not be there for comedy but you will get the opportunity to win them over. Let’s get in to that.

There are times that customers come in for dinner or drink, on a date or with a group from work. They don’t know that it’s comedy night. Sometimes their reaction is excitement and sometimes its dread. As the host, I am watching those faces, reading lips and body language. It is all ammunition. Calling people out on their own shit is hilarious, especially when its true and well crafted. You can also turn people off by just attacking them. We need to try and keep these people in the seats for as long as possible. Not only for the bar’s sake and to keep the showing going but also to have an audience for everyone on the show. Some of the worst nerves during the show is when you see a table getting ready to leave and there are 3 comics doing 10 mins each left.

There is also the obstacle of the people that do not care that there is a comedy show, they are on a date or a night out and they just want to talk. They not only disrupt the comedians but the customers that are there for the comedy as well. Its not a comedy club so you can’t kick them out. How do you handle them? Well I have seen some very talented comedians just plow through. They get through their material because this is the time to practice with distractions. You are not always going to have perfect conditions and the more you can handle disruptions the more prepared you are for when it really matters. I love watching a comic attempt to work on material in front of a room where half are paying attention and the other half are talking or playing pool. I love to watch them struggle and then work their way out of it. Some of US die a slow death (comedy term for bombing or not getting any laughs) but sometimes there is magic. When a comedian goes off script and uses the situation to create an experience. Wow is that a special moment! It gives me goosebumps to think about it.

There are a lot of ups and downs with a running a weekly bar show but the payoff for not only myself but the local comedy community is well worth it. This is the type of show that in these early developmental stages help you get a little bit harder. We can all use that these days.

Laugh It Up Tuesday is a weekly live stand up comedy show located at Nikkis Bar & Grill 214 Washington Ave Little Ferry NJ - 9 PM - Food & Drink Specials - No Cover - Free Parking

IG - @laughituptuesday