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“What if you do a joke and it bombs? Doesn’t that SUCK? Isn’t it AWFUL??” Yes, it does and it is. How great that people have morbid curiosity about the pain and misery caused by a joke falling flat. Maybe it’s relateable on some level because most of us have said something that we thought would elicit laughter but instead is met with confused silence. Comics say a joke “got crickets”, that eerie insect sound that’s only audible on quiet nights.

So what happens next? Well, what the audience doesn’t see is everything going through the comedian’s head. Usually it’s either: “Damn, I really thought that would work… maybe I should change ‘weenie’ to ‘schlong’ next time”, or “That joke always does great, these people are stupid,” or “Is my fly open?” Any number of pieces of internal dialogue come up that rationalize what just happened. These thoughts are often followed by a fast increase in head/face temperature, a sick feeling in the intestines and suddenly weak legs. At this point, each comedian has to pick their own strategy for how to get the audience’s plummeting confidence back to cruising altitude. “Man, what do I do now?” It’s a judgment call which becomes easier to make with increased experience and it often depends on how much alcohol the comic in question has consumed.

I should mention that having an entire set bomb is much different (and of course much worse) than having merely one or two things go down in flames during an otherwise ok show. Right now I’m talking about just one joke not working.

The other night this new bit about using exact change just completely missed. Rightfully so because it’s not really that funny yet. When it happened, you can see in the video that I chose to: 1) address what had just happened 2) tell the crowd how it makes me feel 3) pull something out of my ass (figuratively) from earlier in the set to get a laugh and put things back on track.

I’m not saying this is how it always goes in these situations, but I happened to be in a very good mood that night so I didn’t get angry (which never works for me but I still snap occasionally.) Also I was lucky that the crowd was extremely cool and they got back on my side pretty much right away.

So if you’re ever in a situation like being on a date, giving a presentation at work or just trying to crack people up in an elevator or something, and it doesn’t work: DON’T PANIC! Just be honest about what is happening and be good-natured about it. Most people you’re hanging out with are pretty forgiving, and if they’re not, just find new friends and family who will appreciate your humor.

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