Category: Performance Critiques

This is me MCing a small show on a weeknight

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaV1lZdbaok

0m48s Don’t ask where they’re from, just make a guess

1m27s When I MC I try to turn it into a talk show and not overdo my material, I could’ve gone into their intimate life more

2m54s Make up a story if they don’t cooperate

3m16s I like playing “inept psychic” when I MC

5m02s I should’ve said “10 years and a day”

5m24s I guess I’m also a relationship therapist when I MC

5m49s She said “he’s my brother,” funny

7m12s Good job trying to get people closer, I don’t remember if they moved up though

This is me doing the check spot on the same show

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztW9QZ_TSNc

0m42s I love how I’m just sharing cultural tidbits

2m06s Explain Yelp in less words and more clearly

Overall: I didn’t get big laughs but I did my job in loosening up the (six person) crowd. I’m happy that I was conversational, not in a rush and not trying to pack in the maximum number of jokes. There’s also a lot of potential to turn the whole “inept psychic” thing into a longer crowd work bit.

The Sunday Writer’s Mic

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VBd_6cCWXw

0m31s Decent one liner

0m40s I should deadpan the delivery more and emphasis “never”

0m58s Say “partners” instead of “hookups”

1m04s No need for the word “array”

1m24s Beers aren’t girly enough, make it cosmos or martinis

2m01s Turn and look at the audience in shock

2m37s Slow down, and stop after “half price”

3m27s Don’t smile at this line

4m22s Not sure I like this joke although it got laughs

Overall: The one liners at the start are good, the yelp joke and shoes joke needs to be a lot tighter but there’s potential. I don’t think I’m gonna keep the dominos joke, at least not in it’s current form.

The midnight show, 8 people in the audience and they’re louder and more fun than some full houses

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4o4G_YiDu84

0m18s They’re high energy so I have to come in super high energy

0m48s This is “talk to them and don’t worry about squeezing in maximum jokes” crowd

1m02s Usually constant input from the crowd is annoying, but I knew this would happen by watching the show and was ready to have fun with it

2m02s This is the classic “crowd wants to have a conversation” situation, the best to do is to sneak material in between the conversation

2m59s That was awesome how she called me out and I was honest about the free account, if I had ignored her I would’ve missed a huge laugh

3m35s Waitress dropped the checks

5m08s I love how this turned into a talk show

5m44s Good job recognizing what was going on and making a joke about it

6m52s This feels like how I usually am at a bar with my friends, except I have amplification

Overall: Although I only got two jokes out in an eight minute set, I had a ton of fun. I don’t mind an audience interrupting occasionally as long as they’re engaged, laughing the rest of the time and their questions or comments make sense. I need to figure out how to be this loose and fun every time I’m on stage.

The 10:30 Show

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqCwAqFo9SA

0m10s Take a longer pause and stare at them before saying anything

3m11s I need more excitement in my voice

4m04s That’s a tongue twister, reword it

4m44s I love that my new stuff is doing way better than my tried and true jokes

5m45s I’m trying a different way of going into my suicide joke to see if it gets everyone on board with it

Overall: I started slow and didn’t open the set the right way. I could’ve sounded more excited throughout as it seemed like I was going through the motions. And I was, because I was focused on trying out two new jokes in a row. At least the new jokes did better than the rest of the set. Next time, I should work on always being in the moment.

The 8:30 show

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQPp1LAtc9w

1m04s No need to say “That’s like” before doing the announcer voice

1m19s Turn my head straight across instead of turning it down

1m57s This is all premise, so I can say it faster

3m08s It took a while for the Russian family stuff to get going, I need to try to make the setup clearer

4m12s Interesting that the joke got a strong laugh without my doing a hand motion

4m56s I love hearing someone explain the joke in the back

5m47s New joke

5m53s I need to pause between punch lines

6m01s I had to admit that joke didn’t work, and that got the crowd back

Overall: This was great for the first minute and solid for the first five and half. The Russian family joke didn’t work well until the third part which makes me think I can set it up better. The commitment issues shoes joke towards the end of the set was new and needs lots of work.