Comics love to ask the audience questions, but it’s usually a crutch, and a bad idea unless you are the host working the crowd.
For example, you have a joke about the movie Ferris Bueller.
You ask the audience, “Anyone here remember the movie, Ferris Bueller?”
Half the audience is too young to remember the movie; the other half is wary that you’re going to call on them and do cringy crowd work. So, everyone’s silent.
Now, you are boxed into the corner of saying, “Really? No one has heard of Ferris Bueller? It has Matthew Broderick and What’s-Her-Name in it?”
And then you limp into the Ferris Bueller joke with your confidence shot.
Wait a minute, Creig. Are you talking about all questions? What about when I get to the mic and say, “How’s everyone doing tonight?”
Please stop asking that question. It’s awkward and no one responds. Think of a better way to seem like you care about the audience.
Do you ask questions, Creig?
Yes, sometimes I do and usually regret it. Usually as an awkward segue into my dog jokes. “Is this a dog crowd?” There are better ways to transition.
Aren’t there good uses of questions?
Sure, but don’t ask, “Anyone here remember what happened on Season 2, Episode 3 of Star Trek: Next Generation? No one will respond. Will that keep you from doing your Star Trek joke? No. Then stop asking and just do the joke.
What is a good example of a question?
You could be really absurd, like asking if people have ever heard of cats. Or asking if people know something very esoteric. Basically, if the question itself is part of the joke and you can riff off a response or no response.
And if you do crowd work you pretty much have to ask questions, but you better be ready with answers.
What’s the bottom line?
Don’t set up your bits by asking if the audience is familiar with whatever subject you are about to tell a joke about. It will not get a reaction 99% of the time and drains all the momentum you’ve built up. You have built up momentum, haven’t you?
A list of the upcoming comedy shows and open mics in the Louisville area and information to sign up or order tickets. You can also sign up to get on stage yourself.
SIGN UP TO PERFORM
Sign up to perform at Louisville Laughs open mics HERE
Sign up to be considered for Louisville Laughs shows or showcasesHERE
CHECK OUT UPCOMING SHOWS AND OPEN MICS
Wednesday, Sept. 2
7 p.m. — Louisville Laughs presents: Wednesday Open Mic at TEN20 with guest host Jamie Shade and special guest Griffin Sciarra, TEN20 Craft Brewery. Free tickets. Sign up to perform HERE
8 p.m. — The LRS Laugh Lounge open mic comedy, Mr. G’s Comedy Spot, Middletown. Free. Show up and sign up.
8:30 p. m. — Dive Bar mic, dive Bar on Frankfort, 2235 Frankfort Ave, Louisville. Free. To sign up email divebarmic@gmail.com
Friday, Sept. 25
1 p.m. — LaughWest presents: DayLaughing with Friends clean, family-friendly open mic, Canvas and Cocktails, 2804 Crums Lane, Shively.Sign up to perform
8 p.m. — The LRS Laugh Lounge open mic comedy, Mr. G’s Comedy Spot, Middletown. Free. Show up and sign up.
8:30 p. m. — Dive Bar mic, dive Bar on Frankfort, 2235 Frankfort Ave, Louisville. Free. To sign up email divebarmic@gmail.com
Friday, Oct. 2
1 p.m. — LaughWest presents: DayLaughing with Friends clean, family-friendly open mic, Canvas and Cocktails, 2804 Crums Lane, Shively.Sign up to perform
To sign up for weekly Wednesday open mics with Louisville Laughs plus other monthly mics, fill out this form
Sundays — The Sunday Sh!t Show, all-entertainment showcase with Uncool Randy, Planet of the Tapes. Message @UncoolRandy on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Starting Nov. 10, signups will start at 5 p.m. and show at 5:30
Sundays — Comedy Attack! open mic, Kaiju. First Sunday of the month. Show up and sign upstarting at 9:30 p.m.
Mondays — The Planet of the Tapes Monday Mic, Planet of the Tapes. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. To sign up, email planetofthetapesopenmic@gmail.com
Wednesdays — The Wednesday Comedy Late Mic, Jane, 712 E. Market Street. Sign ups at 9:30
Thursdays — The LRS Laugh Lounge open mic comedy,Mr. G’s Comedy Spot, Middletown, 8 p.m. Show up and sign up.
Thursdays — Dive Bar mic, dive Bar on Frankfort, 2235 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, 8:30 p.m. To sign up email divebarmic@gmail.com
Fridays — LaughWest presents: DayLaughing with Friends clean family-friendly open mic at 1 p.m. Canvas and Cocktails, 2804 Crums Lane, Shively.Sign up to perform
A list of the upcoming comedy shows and open mics in the Louisville area and information to sign up or order tickets. You can also sign up to get on stage yourself.
SIGN UP TO PERFORM
Sign up to perform at Louisville Laughs open mics HERE
Sign up to be considered for Louisville Laughs shows or showcasesHERE
7 p.m. — Louisville Laughs presents: Wednesday Open Mic at TEN20 with guest host Aimee Jewell and special guest Mr. Bikey, TEN20 Craft Brewery. Free. Sign up to perform HERE
5:30 p.m. — The Sunday Sh!t Show, all-entertainment showcase with Uncool Randy, Planet of the Tapes. Signups starting at 5 p.m.
TO SIGN UP FOR OPEN MICS
To sign up for weekly Wednesday open mics with Louisville Laughs plus other monthly mics, fill out this form
Sundays — The Sunday Sh!t Show, all-entertainment showcase with Uncool Randy, Planet of the Tapes. Message @UncoolRandy on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Starting Nov. 10, signups will start at 5 p.m. and show at 5:30
Sundays — Comedy Attack! open mic, Kaiju. First Sunday of the month. Show up and sign upstarting at 9:30 p.m.
Mondays — The Planet of the Tapes Monday Mic, Planet of the Tapes. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. To sign up, email planetofthetapesopenmic@gmail.com
A list of the upcoming comedy shows and open mics in the Louisville area and information to sign up or order tickets. You can also sign up to get on stage yourself.
SIGN UP TO PERFORM
Sign up to perform at Louisville Laughs open mics HERE
Sign up to be considered for Louisville Laughs shows or showcasesHERE
CHECK OUT UPCOMING SHOWS AND OPEN MICS
Wednesday, Aug. 19
7 p.m. — Louisville Laughs presents: Wednesday Open Mic at TEN20 with guest host Ben Scobee and special guest Desirae Duncan, TEN20 Craft Brewery. Free. Sign up to perform HERE
5:30 p.m. — The Sunday Sh!t Show, all-entertainment showcase with Uncool Randy, Planet of the Tapes. Signups starting at 5 p.m.
TO SIGN UP FOR OPEN MICS
To sign up for weekly Wednesday open mics with Louisville Laughs plus other monthly mics, fill out this form
Sundays — The Sunday Sh!t Show, all-entertainment showcase with Uncool Randy, Planet of the Tapes. Message @UncoolRandy on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Starting Nov. 10, signups will start at 5 p.m. and show at 5:30
Sundays — Comedy Attack! open mic, Kaiju. First Sunday of the month. Show up and sign upstarting at 9:30 p.m.
Mondays — The Planet of the Tapes Monday Mic, Planet of the Tapes. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. To sign up, email planetofthetapesopenmic@gmail.com
A list of the upcoming comedy shows and open mics in the Louisville area and information to sign up or order tickets. You can also sign up to get on stage yourself.
SIGN UP TO PERFORM
Sign up to perform at Louisville Laughs open mics HERE
Sign up to be considered for Louisville Laughs shows or showcasesHERE
8 p.m. — Not Tonight Comedy Show open mic, Hereafter Louisville. Free. Signups at 7:30 p.m.
10 p.m. — Stand & Deliver variety open mic, Kaiju. Signups at 9:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 19
7 p.m. — Louisville Laughs presents: Wednesday Open Mic at TEN20 with guest host Ben Scobee and special guest Desirae Duncan, TEN20 Craft Brewery. Free. Sign up to perform HERE
To sign up for weekly Wednesday open mics with Louisville Laughs plus other monthly mics, fill out this form
Sundays — The Sunday Sh!t Show, all-entertainment showcase with Uncool Randy, Planet of the Tapes. Message @UncoolRandy on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Starting Nov. 10, signups will start at 5 p.m. and show at 5:30
Sundays — Comedy Attack! open mic, Kaiju. First Sunday of the month. Show up and sign upstarting at 9:30 p.m.
Mondays — The Planet of the Tapes Monday Mic, Planet of the Tapes. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. To sign up, email planetofthetapesopenmic@gmail.com
I have seen approximately 3 billion comics perform on open mics and shows. Certain topics come up again and again.
Some of these can lead to well-crafted jokes. Others should be retired.
Just be aware that if you do jokes on these topics you need to have a unique angle. These paths are well worn.
Can you get laughs with them? Sure. But if you can have a unique voice, all the better.
I know I look like …
Once when I reviewed video clips from comics, six comics in a row opened with an “I look like” joke.
Granted, this can be funny, if you actually look like a Dollar General version of a famous actor.
But I also hear comics say thing like, “I know I look like I have ADHD.” What does that even look like?
Or, I know I look like I like Star Wars. Unless you’re wearing a Chewbacca costume, no you don’t.
Dating apps
Anyone on the dating apps? Apparently 100% of comics are.
There are a million ways you can go with dating and dating apps jokes. Just be aware that this field is pretty well trampled, so look for a fresh take.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t molested as a kid …
So many jokes by guys who weren’t molested by priests, Jeffrey Epstein or hot teachers.
If have seen comics pull this off and also comics lose the crowd.
Bonnie Blue/porn
One adult actress has sex with a thousand guys in one day and some comics can’t stop talking about it.
Guys who perform on open mics appear to have a lot more expertise in porn than the audience member and might need to dumb down their porn jokes a bit.
I’m not gay but …
If you start jokes like this, we’re immediately searching for you on Grinder, buddy.
CPAP machines
CPAP machines were funny at first, but now everyone is doing jokes about them.
And when you joke about how difficult it is to have sex with them on, we wonder why you don’t consider taking them off for a couple minutes.
I identify as …
We see this punchline coming a mile away, and the they/them has worn off of it.
Hating your kids or spouse
Can’t you just be frustrated by your kids? Why so much hate for your wife?
Maybe talk about why your kids/spouse are such a challenge instead of assuming everyone hates them?
Casual racism
Whit people don’t season food; Asian people can’t drive; Black folks are always late.
Who here likes to get high?
I’m not sure if this is a start of a bit or you just forgot how high you are.
A list of the upcoming comedy shows and open mics in the Louisville area and information to sign up or order tickets. You can also sign up to get on stage yourself.
SIGN UP TO PERFORM
Sign up to perform at Louisville Laughs open mics HERE
Sign up to be considered for Louisville Laughs shows or showcasesHERE
CHECK OUT UPCOMING SHOWS AND OPEN MICS
Wednesday, Aug. 5
7 p.m. — Louisville Laughs presents: Wednesday Open Mic at TEN20 with host Creig Ewing and special guest Sean Turley, TEN20 Craft Brewery. Freetickets. Sign up to perform HERE
To sign up for weekly Wednesday open mics with Louisville Laughs plus other monthly mics, fill out this form
Sundays — The Sunday Sh!t Show, all-entertainment showcase with Uncool Randy, Planet of the Tapes. Message @UncoolRandy on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Starting Nov. 10, signups will start at 5 p.m. and show at 5:30
Sundays — Comedy Attack! open mic, Kaiju. First Sunday of the month. Show up and sign upstarting at 9:30 p.m.
Mondays — The Planet of the Tapes Monday Mic, Planet of the Tapes. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. To sign up, email planetofthetapesopenmic@gmail.com
A list of the upcoming comedy shows and open mics in the Louisville area and information to sign up or order tickets.
SIGN UP TO PERFORM
Sign up to perform at Louisville Laughs open mics HERE
Sign up to be considered for Louisville Laughs shows or showcasesHERE
CHECK OUT UPCOMING SHOWS AND OPEN MICS
Wednesday, July 29
7 p.m. — Louisville Laughs presents: Wednesday Open Mic at TEN20 with guest host Greg Welsh and special guest Jamie Shade, TEN20 Craft Brewery. Free. Sign up to perform HERE
8 p.m. — Not Tonight Comedy Show open mic, Hereafter Louisville. Free. Signups at 7:30 p.m.
10 p.m. — Stand & Deliver variety open mic, Kaiju. Signups at 9:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 5
7 p.m. — Louisville Laughs presents: Wednesday Open Mic at TEN20 with host Creig Ewing and special guest Sean Turley, TEN20 Craft Brewery. Freetickets. Sign up to perform HERE
5:30 p.m. — The Sunday Sh!t Show, all-entertainment showcase with Uncool Randy, Planet of the Tapes. Signups starting at 5 p.m.
TO SIGN UP FOR OPEN MICS
To sign up for weekly Wednesday open mics with Louisville Laughs plus other monthly mics, fill out this form
Sundays — The Sunday Sh!t Show, all-entertainment showcase with Uncool Randy, Planet of the Tapes. Message @UncoolRandy on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Starting Nov. 10, signups will start at 5 p.m. and show at 5:30
Sundays — Comedy Attack! open mic, Kaiju. First Sunday of the month. Show up and sign upstarting at 9:30 p.m.
Mondays — The Planet of the Tapes Monday Mic, Planet of the Tapes. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. To sign up, email planetofthetapesopenmic@gmail.com
A list of the upcoming comedy shows and open mics in the Louisville area and information to sign up or order tickets.
SIGN UP TO PERFORM
Sign up to perform at Louisville Laughs open mics HERE
Sign up to be considered for Louisville Laughs shows or showcasesHERE
CHECK OUT UPCOMING SHOWS AND OPEN MICS
Wednesday, July 22
7 p.m. — Louisville Laughs presents: Wednesday Open Mic at TEN20 Clean Comedy Mic with guest host Lena Beamish and special guest Big Jake Hovis, TEN20 Craft Brewery. Freetickets. Sign up to perform HERE
5:30 p.m. — The Sunday Sh!t Show, all-entertainment showcase with Uncool Randy, Planet of the Tapes. Signups starting at 5 p.m.
TO SIGN UP FOR OPEN MICS
To sign up for weekly Wednesday open mics with Louisville Laughs plus other monthly mics, fill out this form
Sundays — The Sunday Sh!t Show, all-entertainment showcase with Uncool Randy, Planet of the Tapes. Message @UncoolRandy on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Starting Nov. 10, signups will start at 5 p.m. and show at 5:30
Sundays — Comedy Attack! open mic, Kaiju. First Sunday of the month. Show up and sign upstarting at 9:30 p.m.
Mondays — The Planet of the Tapes Monday Mic, Planet of the Tapes. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. To sign up, email planetofthetapesopenmic@gmail.com
