Fun Fact Not Everyone is Going to Laugh
At least, not every time. But sometimes you get a really tough crowd. Not everyone at an open mic is there to laugh. Which is weird because that is the whole purpose.
So What Do I Do if No Laughs?
Panic. Just shit yourself right then and there. Shit and puke on the stage.
But don’t actually because then you’ll never be allowed in that bar again. Even if it’s not for stand-up purposes, and I only go to bars to do stand-up because drinking is for adults who can’t thug it out.
If no one laughs during your joke, then maybe it’s time to switch the joke/topic. There are many reasons why people won’t laugh at your joke:
- You didn’t pause during your set, so the crowd’s laughter silenced your punchline
- The topic was too sensitive for several of the patrons so no one was laughing
- You had a bad delivery or build-up
- You stumbled on your words
- It was a poorly written-joke
- And much, much more!
There are several factors that I can’t name/remember for why your joke gained zero laughter. I have a firm belief that every joke can be funny if you have written the joke properly.
If you really like the joke you wrote, but it got 0 laughter, then that is a clear sign that you need to rewrite it.
Don’t Get me Wrong Though
Some jokes are location/audience dependent. You can only say so much depending on who you are and where you are.
Take me for example. I grew up in rural Iowa. If I started joking about this imaginary gang story, I would be shot and killed on stage. Especially in Compton.
Some bars only like jokes about a certain political party and not others. Texas obviously hates Democrats. So don’t be wearing a supportive democratic t-shirt on stage. You will also get shot.
If you want people to laugh, it should be something you are knowledgeable about, or have some personal connection to.
Bitch Tell me How to Break a Tough Audience
You need to have a set of jokes that work for the audience you have, and also for you. Some jokes are audience-dependent, and some can be said at any time. Don’t rely on good old-fashioned racism like my grandpa does at every Thanksgiving dinner.
You need to figure out what jokes you have to create laughter. Sometimes you go up on stage with new material. That is awesome, but it is best to try your new material out on someone, or a group of people before you take it to an audience.
It’s also not always about receiving the most laughs. Sometimes your material only reaches a few people and that’s okay. You have just recognized your target audience, and if you can keep them laughing, it will infect the rest of the patrons to start laughing as well.