Another week, another show cancelled due to weather. Hell, I'm starting to think Mother Nature just doesn't like comedy. (Though I am the genius who decided to restart his stand-up career smack dab in the middle of Blizzard Season.)
But it looks like Jack Frost has finally decided to chill the fuck out (See what I did there? Wokka-wokka.) and let us have a show this Wednesday. I'm at Be Here Now in Muncie again, so if you can make it I'd love to see you there! Seriously, come if you can. I'm really gonna need the support this week.
You see... It's Heckler Night.
I'm still not 100% precisely what that's going to entail, but the long-and-short of it is this: The audience is free to "comment" on the show in progress. Every comic fights to reap laughs out of a crowd, but this is one of those few moments where the audience is allowed to fight back.
I have to admit, I'm probably more nervous about this show than I have been about all of the others. Be Here Now was a GREAT crowd the first time I went up, but this will only be my 2nd time in front of them. They still don't really know me too well and this time out they're actually encouraged to rip me apart.
Hell, it's only Monday and I'm already freaked out.
I can't say I know much about this subject, though. Even during my most awful shows I've never had to deal with an actual heckler. Most of the clubs I've been to have never really exhibited much hostility. (Tons of indifference and ennui, but never hostility.) I guess in this profession that makes me lucky. It hurts to be up onstage and simply not receive a response, but to actually receive a negative outcry is a whole other monster entirely.
Then again, I'm not so lucky.
Hecklers are something every comedian has to deal with and I have yet to have any formal training with them. From the night club comic to the ballroom packing all-star; the heckler just comes with the trade. Honestly, I'm quite surprised that in all the small, dim rooms full of drunken people that I've had to entertain the tempers haven't flared up yet. It's not the best environment to be bored, inebriated and buried in the dark.
"I've had it with this tubby, Luke Skywalker lookin' wannabe. GO CRAWL BACK IN THE TAUNTAUN CARCASS YOU CAME FROM! (I don't know why I made him a Star Wars nerd. Just running with it.)
Like I said in the last major post, it's intimidating to be judged by anyone. Even in a face-to-face situation. Let alone by a large group of people who you don't even know you.
But it's never impossible to conquer the heckler, no matter what they may say about you. One of my personal favorite comedians, Patton Oswalt, has a great track on Werewolves and Lollipops where his entire bit becomes 100 times more hilarious because he had a heckler there to throw him off queue.
Listen for yourself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDndsvjyIG4
(The heckler chimes in at around 4:03. Listen to the master at work.)
The best comics can integrate a heckler into their entire act and, not only win the audience back, but integrate an entirely new bit seamlessly into their set. When executed well, this can easily turn a potential show-killer into the funniest segment of the night.
Watch Zach Galifianakis do it. Another genius moment:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qy9KvDtI5w
Based on all of the comics I've seen, I think the biggest lesson I've taken away is this: When confronted with a heckler, the best thing to do is to make them uncomfortable. The whole "goal" of the heckler is to make the performer uneasy and to throw him/her off their game. They aren't satisfied with the job you're doing and, hence, feel a sense of superiority to you. Granted, there are a million reasons that might posses a person to heckle, but I feel like that one theme is consistent.
Listen to this guy. I could make up better material then him. Hell, I think I will.
Ugh, I've had enough of this guy. Maybe if I tell him to he'll get off the stage.
I'm filled with Jagermeister and self-hatred. Why wouldn't I yell "pussy" in this crowded theater?!
They think, as an audience member, they have the upper hand. The key to dismantling them is to remind them that they do not.
Often, the worst thing you can do is to completely ignore them. It might be a good idea to just let a small thing slide, but usually the heckler is someone who is either being blatantly rude or actively trying to disengage you. If you don't confront the threat dead-on it shows as a sign of weakness. It makes the audience think that you aren't prepared and can't think well on your feet.
When you're on that stage, that's your time. If someone came up to you at a cafe and took the sandwich off your plate you'd be inclined and expected to get it back, right? (Well, you'd at least make the guy/gal pay for another sandwich. God only knows where this douche/bitch has been.)
The same thing applies onstage. These assholes are trying to steal your time and you've gotta take it back. You have to at least try or else you're very likely to lose the whole night. No matter how well-prepared your material may be, if you've lost the crowd to a heckler their laughs are going to him. Not you.
I have some comebacks prepared, but I've never had a chance to use any of them so I don't know how it's going to fly. That's the problem with heckler bits; you can't really try them out until the worst happens. I've read that often the best approach is simply not to try and "be funny." Rather, it's recommended to simply note things about the heckler themselves and point them out.
He/She wants to put you on the spot so, instead, put him/her on the spot.
Usually hecklers aren't presenting a "well thought-out retort." They're just pissed off or bored and yelling the first thing that comes into their heads. These people don't put any thought into their actions.
See what I mean:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZDtw1hEKfI
(NOTE: Buy/Rent this movie! The parts that Jamie Kennedy aren't in are absolutely spectacular.)
If you're in comedy or want to pursue comedy, chances are that you're a pretty witty person. People have probably complimented you on this, and if you've done some shows you've got a feel for how to convey that talent on the stage. Comics know better than to heckle, so you dont have to worry about them. (Well, most of them anyway: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXjk1IorcPg)
My point is: YOU are the wittiest person speaking at that time.
Period.
You have no reason to feel intimidated by a heckler. You're a comedian; he's a douchebag in the third row. You have the nuggets to get up on stage; he doesn't. If he did, he'd be following or preceding you on that stage. Even if it's your first time up, you still have 1000 times more chutzpah just to get on than that stupid a-hole.
Like with that Zach Galifianakis clip, sometimes all you have to do is make them the center of attention and they cripple themselves. They want attention so bad. Give it to them. See what happens.
I'm frightened by this new challenge, but equally enthusiastic to take it on. Maybe I'll do well, maybe I won't. All I can do is prepare some retorts, keep my emotions in check (not that I'd ever pull a Michael Richards or anything, but it never pays to be very genuinely angry onstage), and be ready to learn from whatever happens.
You can't always win. Sometimes crowds can just suck. (http://new.music.yahoo.com/sklar-brothers/tracks/st-louis-bomb--184436177) But I've had a good experience with this club and I'm not worried about anything like that. Even if the worst does happen, I'm already prepared to pick myself up, dust myself off, and learn from what happens.
That's all you can do when you have to take the hits.
"You suck!"
No, actually, I don't.
(NOTE: I'm going to record the show, so depending on wht happens, good or bad, I might post it here. Stay tuned. I'll let ya know.)
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