As a comedian, bombing on stage is an inevitable part of the journey. We all bomb and that’s ok. It’s a tough experience that can be discouraging and make you question your jokes, audience, and your overall existence. But it’s also a fantastic opportunity to learn and grow as a performer. Also it is definitely possible to come back from a bomb and still get laughs and end the set on a high note. Here are some tips to help you bounce back from a bomb and to get back on track:
If the audience is starting to fade away or lose interest in your material, try shifting the dynamic by engaging in some crowd work. This involves interacting with members of the audience and making situational jokes. Situational jokes are relatable for everyone in the current room, and thus can get everyone back on board. By doing this, you can make the audience feel like they’re a part of the performance, generating a unanimous laughter, and getting out of a bomb.
One classic technique that all comedians use is acknowledging your failures. By acknowledging your mistakes in a vulnerable and authentic way, you can make the audience comfortable and more receptive to your material. This is also essentially creating a situational joke, which the audience can all relate to. This can potentially increase the relatability factor and the likeability factor for the performer, even when the crowd is silent. Even simply saying “Well, that sucked. RIght?” can create laughter and relieve tension in the room.
When all else fails, it’s still your job as a comedian to continue your set and finish your stage time. By powering through your material and ending on time, you can show the audience that you’re passionate and professional about your performance, even when things don’t go as planned. Conversely when a performer ends a set earlier, that is when they look the least professional, and ends up leaving an even more awkward silence for the audience to sit in. Therefore, powering through and completing the given stage time is the least that you can do to show the audience that you are still present and that you care.
Sometimes, the environment or audience behavior can contribute to a bad performance. In these cases, it’s okay to educate the audience about the nature of stand-up comedy. Stand Up Comedy has gotten mainstream recently, but most people still do not know how to behave and listen properly at comedy shows, so there is nothing wrong with a quick educational explanation of what they should do at a comedy show in certain cases. Explain to them how they should behave during a comedy show, such as listening attentively, avoiding small talk, and not heckling. You can even use this as an opportunity to educate the audience on your style of comedy, especially if it’s different from what they may be used to.
Remember that bombing is part of the journey, and it’s not a reflection of your abilities as a comedian. The other points clearly reveal that sometimes, it is not your fault, nor is it your jokes and your delivery. Even the best comedians bomb from time to time. Stay consistent with your performances and keep working on your craft. So if you truly love the craft, then don’t give up, even if some nights don’t go as planned. With persistence and hard work, you can bounce back from a bad performance and continue to improve as a comedian.
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