There is a myth that comedians hate when the audience talks. That’s not entirely true. We hate when the audience interrupts.
There is a massive difference between “crowd work” (invited participation) and “heckling” (drunken shouting). Since Mint Comedy gives you a front-row seat to the Comedy Cellar, you’re going to see both. Here is how to tell them apart.
The “Good” Heckle (aka Participation)
- The Setup: The comic asks, “What do you do for a living?”
- Your Job: Answer truthfully and briefly. “I’m an accountant.”
- The Result: The comic builds a bit around your boring job. Everyone laughs. You’re a hero.
The “Bad” Heckle (aka The Show Killer)
- The Setup: The comic is in the middle of a setup for a complex joke.
- The Move: You scream, “That happened to me too!” or “Tell the one about the dog!”
- The Result: The rhythm breaks. The comic has to stop and eviscerate you.
The “Nuclear Option”
When a comic destroys a heckler, it’s not bullying; it’s pest control. They are protecting the experience for the other 200 people in the room.
Witness the Carnage:
Want to see the pros handle the drunks? Tune into the Live Stream on a Friday late show. It gets wild.
