Comedy and humor writers should profile their audience
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It is positively, excruciating to watch somebody bomb. The flop sweat is real. The performer knows he’s dead, and the audience knows he knows it. Everybody squirms in agony until he says, “You’ve been a great audience,” and slithers off the stage (or page).
The most painful bombing I ever saw was at a poultry producers’ convention in Lancaster, PA. It was obvious whoever booked the comic never reviewed any of his material or gave him a heads up on the audience. And I’m sure the comic never gave a thought to the demographics of the audience he would face.
Chicken people have a good sense of humor. They can handle earthy stuff. They do it all the time. But this guy was trying to get laughs with blue material that was only suited to a roomful of folks who’ve already been primed with their two-drink minimum. This audience, on the other hand, was well sprinkled with young 4-H boys and girls, Amish men and Amish women, and many other God-fearing folks. Their last two drinks were probably fresh milk.
Now, this same guy might have been a smash at a pub in Poughkeepsie, but he was lucky the chicken folks didn’t pelt him with eggs.
The point is, whether your material is for the page or performance, know your audience. All this guy knew was that he was before chicken folks. But his jokes about getting laid or roosters on Viagra wouldn’t fly. (Neither would that rooster—he’d be too tired.)
Some audiences can handle edgy material, but don’t try it on farm folks in Lancaster, PA. Save it for open mic nights at comedy clubs.
Oh, and if you’re on a convention’s entertainment committee, cover your ass. Watch a comic’s promo video before you book him, and then brief him on the audience he’ll face. Do it and you won’t have to be on the defensive when your critics say, “Where in the hell did you find this guy?”
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Filed under: Insights & Opinions, Writing Technique
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