I love comedy. Telling jokes and making people laugh is really the only consistent pure joy I have in life. The one thing I can count on is that throughout my day I will make another human being laugh.
From a performer’s perspective, anyone who gets to the simple level of being booked to perform at free, one-night shows, has worked hard to come up with funny premises, develop those premises, craft jokes, build material, create a set-list, remember the nuances and deliver the whole package in a way that brings the audience along for the ride. That’s what makes it so hard when people in the crowd blatantly disrespect the performer. I don’t remember being at a comedy show ever where absolute silence was requested. A relatable comic says things that make you want to turn to your neighbor and say, “That just happened to me!" or “I’ve been there, friend." A little murmuring and whispering means you get where we’re coming from.
My problem isn’t with that. My problem is with people that treat the person on stage as if they should be allowed to compete for attention. Make no mistake about it, whether you’ve come to a comedy show with the intent to watch comedy, or you stumbled on a comedy show going on at your favorite watering hole, you are not the focus. The night, whatever it might be about, isn’t about you in that room at that time. It’s about giving the respect to someone who has worked, usually painstakingly at times, to invent a series of humorous discussion pieces essentially out of nothing but imagination. The least you can do is respect the effort by being quiet, keeping your conversation to a minimum level and short in length, or simply choose to go somewhere else if your conversation is more important than respecting the room.
From a performer’s perspective, anyone who gets to the simple level of being booked to perform at free, one-night shows, has worked hard to come up with funny premises, develop those premises, craft jokes, build material, create a set-list, remember the nuances and deliver the whole package in a way that brings the audience along for the ride. That’s what makes it so hard when people in the crowd blatantly disrespect the performer. I don’t remember being at a comedy show ever where absolute silence was requested. A relatable comic says things that make you want to turn to your neighbor and say, “That just happened to me!" or “I’ve been there, friend." A little murmuring and whispering means you get where we’re coming from.
My problem isn’t with that. My problem is with people that treat the person on stage as if they should be allowed to compete for attention. Make no mistake about it, whether you’ve come to a comedy show with the intent to watch comedy, or you stumbled on a comedy show going on at your favorite watering hole, you are not the focus. The night, whatever it might be about, isn’t about you in that room at that time. It’s about giving the respect to someone who has worked, usually painstakingly at times, to invent a series of humorous discussion pieces essentially out of nothing but imagination. The least you can do is respect the effort by being quiet, keeping your conversation to a minimum level and short in length, or simply choose to go somewhere else if your conversation is more important than respecting the room.


So yes, I had to put my hands on someone last night. The details of the actual altercation aren’t
important, but other than a bruise or two on my arms from riding a wave of people through a doorway, I’m fine. I also didn’t get kicked out, which to me is the ultimate sign that I did the right thing. I love stand-up comedy. I love the people that perform stand-up comedy and I’ll defend their right to be respected for what they do in any way I can. I will continue to try and be as polite about seeking that respect, but I won’t back away from where I stand on the issue. Imagine if we all felt the same way and stood for each other as a community instead of waiting for one of us to be in a position of physical risk. Now that would be funny.
Contributing Writer
Bobby Hill
Bobby is a chicago based Stand up comedian, sketch writer, performer and radio personality...
http://www.itsbobbyhill.com
https://twitter.com/mocha_jesus