Opener vs. Feature vs. Headliner

Hey Dave – I was reading your newsletter today and I’m wondering… What’s the difference between a Headliner vs. a Feature Act? Thanks – DS

Only west of Manhattan!

Hey DS – Money. Next question?!

Okay… okay… sorry for trying to be funny. That’s actually a good question for comics starting out AND in certain areas of the comedy scene. And the above is only part of the answer. There’s more to it, so let me explain with a true confession.

When I worked in the comedy biz in NYC I didn’t know the difference either. In fact, there was never a reason to bring up the term feature act. The comics worked their way through the open-mics and auditioned for the major clubs in the city. You can Google for a list – but off the top of my head from those days we’re talking about The Original Improv, Comedy Cellar, Catch A Rising Star, The Comic Strip, Caroline’s, Dangerfield’s, The New York Comedy Club and Stand-Up NY.

I’m sorry if I forgot anyone…

I was manager of The Improv, which in NYC (like the others) was a showcase club.

Yes, most of our audiences were made up of locals and tourists (like the others) but comics knew it was an important place to be seen. On any given night there could be industry people such as agents, managers, producers, and casting directors watching. We also scheduled showcases (auditions) for The Tonight Show, Late Night with Letterman, HBO, MTV, The Today Show – and plenty of others.

As I said – it was a good place for comedians to be seen on stage.

Non-industry nights were Fridays and Saturdays. This means the audiences (two shows Friday and three on Saturday) were pretty much local comedy fans and tourists (we’ll call them out of town guests from now on). Instead of going to a movie, they could see a live show – without paying high prices for Broadway show tickets. So, the comics were booked in advance and mostly “A-Acts.” In other words, they were our headliners, some already famous from television and movies, and the industry people already knew who they were. These comedians already had agents, television credits and were not “new faces” waiting to be discovered.

Not a feature act

Let’s put it this way. You, me, and everyone on the planet knew who George Carlin was, so there was no reason for him to showcase for industry people. If you wanted to hire him, all you needed to do was call his agent and pitch the project you had in mind.

Make sense? Okay…

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays were the usual showcase nights. There would be several A-Acts doing 20 minute sets to guarantee good shows. But this is also when industry people and audiences would see the up-and-coming comics. They would be given anywhere from 5 to 10 minute sets and we could have as many as 10 to 15 comics go on stage in one night. Since we could stay open until 4 am the length of the show depended on how many people were still in the audience.

So, what I’m trying to say is in NYC (at that time anyway) we didn’t deal with or use the term feature acts. They were either A-Acts or newer comedians working their way toward becoming an A-Act.

The difference in terms happened when comics worked on the road – clubs outside of New York and Los Angeles. And since that wasn’t on my personal radar at the time, I never dealt with it.

It wasn’t until I got to Los Angeles and started working for Budd Friedman that I learned about bookings in the other Improv comedy clubs. The venue on Melrose Avenue was a showcase club like New York, but the other Improv clubs across the country did shows with only three comedians.

Only THREE comics?

Yeah – I was surprised too! My mindset was like the old New Yorker Magazine cover from 1976 – that is still a popular poster around Manhattan decades later. Basically, Manhattan residents could look west from 9th Avenue (BTW – The Improv was located just east of 9th Ave) and not really acknowledge anything until the Pacific Ocean.

Stuck up? Well, when everything you need is on one island it just becomes a way of life. But I regress…

Outside of NYC and LA, the clubs in other cities scheduled three comics – an opener (MC or host), feature (middle) and headliner (closer).

Every club I’ve ever managed or booked – including showcase clubs – has an MC (Master of Ceremonies is the proper showbiz term). That’s the comic who opens the show and warms up the audience. They’re also the ones required to make the announcements. You know – tell the audience about drink specials, future shows, and other “from the stage” advertisements.

Don’t forget – the “proper” term for showbiz is show BUSINESS.

The headliner closes the show. That’s the star act – the comic the club is advertising and the one most of the audience is paying to see.

So, who would be considered a feature act? You can guess – right? That’s the comic in the middle – between the opener and headliner. They do more time on stage than the opener – and less than the headliner.

And that takes us back to my first answer – money.

The feature act is paid more than the opener and less than the headliner. And there’s never a mix-up over that because it’s in the contracts, which is another matter I don’t remember dealing with in showcase clubs. In NYC you showed up, did your set, got cab fare and a sandwich – and thanked the club when you taped a special for Comedy Central.

Thanks for reading and as always – keep laughing!!

*

Click on the banner below to sign up for Dave’s free newsletter.

Doing Face Time In Comedy Clubs For Bookings

Hey Dave – Isn’t “face-time” (not the kind associated with online networking) one of the most important parts of getting work hosting in comedy clubs? What I mean is, doesn’t it make a big difference in someone’s chances of being MC for a weekend (or more) when they frequent the club, chat up the staff and tip well, and demonstrate a willingness to do grunt work? I think that is universal. Didn’t you have a story about the guy who showed up outside a club and swept the sidewalk every day until they hired him inside and he then moved up the ranks? – DM

Make it a clean sweep!

Hey DM – This is not an easy question because there are a lot of buts, maybes and depends that will go into any answer – from anyone. I know from experience there are some comics and club owners who will agree with what I’m going to say, and others who will grab a broom and tell me to get out of the way.

But you know what? This is showbiz, which is an industry full of gimmicks. If you don’t believe me turn on the TV and the highest rated reality shows. You may not want to hang out in real life with bachelors, housewives and Kaitlin Jenner’s ex-family, but you have to admit they know how to bring attention to themselves.

So keeping that in mind, it’s not a bad idea to call attention to yourself by being seen around the clubs you want to play. To break into your local comedy scene you need to have the local talent bookers know who you are and that you’re a comic.

The goal is to score an audition.

I’ve never heard of the guy who swept the sidewalk outside a club everyday and was rewarded with a paid MC (hosting) gig.  It’s not a bad way to call attention to yourself, but if you really do end up with an audition it will only pay off if you have the talent and experience to back it up. Otherwise the only winner will be the club owner with a clean sidewalk.

My first thought is that the time could be better spent getting stage experience somewhere else.

Hanging out for stage time

Earn a reputation as a good comic and then do some networking. It’s a lot easier to score a showcase when you have a track record and recommendations from other comics and bookers who’ve seen you on stage. When you have that going for you, there’s no need to bring a broom to the club.

Showbiz has always been about being different and standing out from the crowd. If you have the experience and truly believe you’re ready to play the club and sweeping the sidewalk gets you noticed by the booker, who am I to put it down?

That’s why a lot of new comics are willing to hand out flyers for stage time or line up friends and family for bringer shows. Sometimes you must go the extra mile to get ahead in this crazy biz.

But your real question is about “face time.” That was always (and still is) a major networking opportunity and how a lot of newer comedians got on stage when I worked in New York City and Los Angeles. But I have to emphasize they were already experienced comics and not someone who only thought keeping the sidewalk clean would be their best career move.

When comics were experienced and funny enough to start performing at a club like The Improv they still had to pass the audition. Working the door, bartending, or even sweeping the sidewalk could open the door, but didn’t guarantee future paid gigs.

You had to prove – on stage – you could do it.

Even after someone passed the audition, there was no guarantee they’d get regular performing spots. They were on the club roster, which meant they were welcome to come in and “hang out at the bar” as a comic. Now if they wanted to sweep the sidewalk instead of sitting around – yeah, they’ll be noticed over the others. But if they hadn’t passed their audition, then chances are they’d still be sweeping when the show is ending.

But face time does count. For example…

During a weeknight at The New York Improv we would schedule enough comedians to get us through until around midnight. If there was still an audience at that time (in NYC we could keep the shows going until 4 am as long as we had people in the showroom) then we would look around to see what comics were “hanging out.” They would make up the rest of the show until either the audience left or we hit last call.

That was doing face time and we already knew they were comedians.

If they wanted to grab a broom and sweep up… well, thanks. But that alone would not have earned a performance slot. Were they on the roster? If not, was there another comic who was a regular performer at the club recommending they be given an audition? That’s the only way they were going to get on stage that night.

Now I already know some comics and club owners will disagree and have examples to prove me wrong. I even have a story in one of my books from a favorite club owner who might trade performing spots for work around the club. So I’m not saying it won’t work, I’m just saying…

A great way to kill a show is by putting on someone – anyone – who doesn’t have experience and isn’t funny. That’s why there are open mics and why established comedy clubs have auditions and already know who the comics are. Gimmicks like sweeping the sidewalk might get an audition, but the time could be better spent getting known as a good comedian – even if you have to perform somewhere else to make it happen. If you come in ready to knock everyone out with your talent, then you can get quality face time with the other comics “hanging out” instead of doing grunt work.

Thanks for reading and as always – keep laughing!!

*

Click on the banner below to sign up for Dave’s free newsletter.

Scoring an MC spot at an “A-List” comedy club

Hey Dave – My goal is to host a show at one of the top clubs. I have video that I can submit and if nothing else, it will be good to get some feedback and be told what I have to do to get work there. In saying that, do you know how to go about submitting videos to the clubs and what should accompany it, i.e. bio, pics, etc.? If you know who the contacts for the club may be or how to find that info that would be great as well. Thanks for your continued support in the comedy scene and I hope you are well. Talk to you soon – C.J.

Make sense? I’ll try my best…

Hey C.J. – Thanks for the support and well wishes. In answer to both I can say I’m trying my best…

And another thanks for your question since it gives me a chance to combine two past articles into a (hopefully) working answer. Make sense? Again, I’ll try my best…

Usually with the major clubs, the headliners and most features (middle acts) are booked through a corporate office. They have a talent coordinator who books all the clubs in their chain. Opening acts are mostly local or within driving distance and are booked by the club’s in house manager. The opening acts don’t get flown in or put up in five star hotels, if you know what I mean.

When you’re going for an opening (host / MC) spot at an “A-Room” (pick the top club in your area) it’s about the total package. Yeah, of course you have to be a good comic with experience. But you also have to show that in your submission to even be considered. These bookers are not going to hire someone who’s not ready to play their club. The audiences pay for and expect a professional comedy show. And even though the openers won’t have the television and/or film credits the headliners or some features have, audiences are also not paying big $$’s to watch an amateur night.

Know what I mean?

Get on stage!

You should have experience and a list of credits from playing smaller clubs first, before you approach the “big guys.”

I was on a panel at a comedy festival a number of years ago with the manager of a major club and an owner of another. One of them – in a very polite way – talked about the smaller clubs being like the minor leagues. He was comparing it to baseball. Get your experience there first to prove you can do it before trying to move up to the major leagues.

Assuming you’ve done that – here’s a game plan for your question.

In past articles I’ve talked about doing “face time” (networking) in comedy clubs. Another favorite topic is promotional material. Now it’s time to combine…

I suggest calling the club and asking the proper way to submit a video for a showcase (audition). The people answering the phones will know – because this is a question they get all the time from comedians. Follow what they say.

Based on the two major clubs in my area, there can be two different scenarios. One is doing face time. For instance, one of the clubs has a bringer showcase once a month. Bringer, meaning you must bring x-amount of paying audiences members to get stage time. I won’t discuss the pros and cons of that now, because I’ve also done that in past FAQs And Answers and on my YouTube Channel (How To Be A Working Comic #25). Let’s just agree it is what it is – and the only way you’ll be seen on stage at this particular club.

Play the game (pay the admission for your friends if you have to) and get on stage. At least you’ll be seen by someone connected with the club. Afterward do some face time and network with whomever is in charge of the show. Ask them what your next step is (you asked about getting feedback, so this is your opportunity) or how to be considered as an opening act during one of their regular shows.

Who knows? They might offer you a gig based on your performance (best scenario), say you’re not ready (worst scenario), or ask you to send them a video for more review. That last one’s okay because you’re still in the game. It’s also what you’d have to do for the other club I’m thinking about anyway, so here’s how that’s gonna work…

Again, you might want to consider starting with some face time. Go to a show and keep an eye out for a manager. Another hint – from experience – do this on a “one-show night.” Fridays and Saturdays usually mean multiple shows in the major clubs and everything is more hectic. Go on a Wednesday, Thursday or Sunday and chances are better you’ll get a minute or two with the person in charge.

Then ask:

What’s the best way to get a showcase or submit a video?

August 2026 online comedy writing workshops

Mondays starting August 10 – SOLD OUT!!

Wednesdays – August 12, 19, 26 & September 2 – SPACE OPEN!!

For details, reviews and to register visit ONLINE COMEDY


Again, from experience – because comics ask all the time – they’ll tell you. Follow what they say. If the club doesn’t offer a showcase night, ask if they accept submissions via email and get the email address.

I also suggest you have a dedicated website for your comedy submissions. A certain comedy club I’ve worked for won’t even consider booking a comedian – including an opening act – without one. If you’re working off a Facebook page or other social media site, it doesn’t show them you are serious about your career if you haven’t taken that step as a professional. And if you’re not sure what to include on a website, just check out websites by “working” comedians or pick up a copy of my book How To Be A Working Comic.

Some comics might tell you this is not necessary since all the booker is interested in is your video. But here’s another hint from experience. To stand out from the crowd (and they get a lot of videos) you should make the extra effort. It makes you look more professional and that’s how you want them to see you.

Again – none of these top clubs are interested in hiring an amateur.

If they tell you to submit a video via email, send a link to your website that includes your video. Yeah, you can probably just email a link to your video on YouTube – if that’s really how you want to play this opportunity. But again, it won’t look as professional.

And for some of you, don’t let the idea of having a website throw you off your game. They’re easy and inexpensive. Check out WordPress and some of the others available for this.

Talent bookers will understand (they should) that you’re not a headliner or feature act because you’re asking for an opportunity to be an opening act (MC). They shouldn’t expect all the “bells and whistles” of a big-time headliner website.  But since these are “A-Clubs” we’re talking about, they will expect you to be further along in your career than doing open-mics and using a Facebook page as your business site.

If you don’t get a response from your submission, stay in touch without being a pain in the you-know-what. An email or postcard every couple weeks should work.

But again, networking REALLY helps. If you’re part of your area comedy scene you probably know some of the comics who open at these clubs. If you see them at the open-mics or some of the other clubs – and they like your sets (important to know first!) – ask if they can throw in a good word for you with the booker. As I’ve written in the past, a personal recommendation from someone who already works at the club can be your Golden Ticket. That can either get you a showcase or have your video watched a lot faster than anything I just mentioned above.

Thanks for reading and as always – keep laughing!!

*

Click on the banner below to sign up for Dave’s free newsletter.

Business Advice for Comedians: How Much Personal Information Is Too Much?

Hey Dave – I took your workshop about a year ago. During the business session you mentioned not putting your home address on promotional material. Another comic told me the opposite — that if I’m serious about this business, I should put my address on my website, promo materials, and anything else I send out so bookers can find me easily. What do you think? — E.H.

I can see you!

Hey E.H. — I think you might want to hang out with different comics.

Yes, it’s smart business to make it easy for talent bookers to contact you. But there’s a big difference between being accessible and being too personal.

When you’re promoting your business — which in this case is you — you absolutely want buyers (the people who hire you) to know how to reach you. But it’s also important to remember one thing:

You have no control over who sees your promotional material.

Anything you post online — or even send through the Postal Service — can potentially be seen by anyone. That means not only bookers can find you… but everyone else can too.

And yes, I have a story about that. I’ll get to it in a moment.

First, a little context.

Business methods for comedians and humorous speakers have changed a lot over the years. In my workshops I used to bring in stacks of promotional packages created by major public relations firms for big-name comedians. They were impressive — glossy photos, printed bios, press clippings, and resumes all packaged in designer folders.

Agents and bookers would spread them across their desks and review them like portfolios.

But those days are mostly gone.

Today almost everything is digital. Instead of printed folders, you have websites, email attachments, and online video clips. It’s faster, cheaper, and easier for everyone involved.

But one thing hasn’t changed:

You still don’t know who might end up seeing your information.

You’re looking at me?

If you list your home address on promotional material, you’re not just giving it to talent buyers. You’re giving it to anyone who stumbles across your website or your materials.

And that brings us to the story.

But first, think about this…

The only time someone in this business truly needs your address is when they’re sending you a contract or payment. Sometimes that happens electronically today, but many event planners and bookers still use good old-fashioned snail mail.

If someone wants to know where you’re located for booking purposes, simply list the nearest major city.

For example:

  • New York
  • Los Angeles
  • Cleveland
  • Chicago
  • Tampa

That’s all they need to know to determine whether a booking is realistic.

If they decide to hire you and need to send paperwork or payment, then you can provide a mailing address.

Better yet, since you’re running a business, think like a business.

Use a business address.

If you don’t have an office, a P.O. Box works perfectly and keeps your home address private.

The same goes for phone numbers.

Yes, cell phones make it easy to stay reachable, but think twice before posting your personal number online. Unless you have a phone dedicated strictly to business, anyone can find it.

And that includes:

  • Annoying strangers
  • Former acquaintances
  • People who want to “pitch” you something
  • Or the occasional wacko who just wants someone to bother

A simple “Contact” form on your website works much better. Interested bookers can email you directly, and you keep control of your personal information.

Separate business and personal email accounts as well.

For example, my business email is:

dave@thecomedybook.com

I’m happy to share that publicly because it’s for business. My family and close friends use a different address.

And now… the story I promised.

Years ago, the owner of a well-known comedy club suggested I check out a young, up-and-coming female comedian who was looking for management. I watched her perform and immediately knew she had serious potential.

Over the years she proved that prediction correct. Today she’s a national headliner you’d recognize from television and movies.

But early in her career, she learned a difficult lesson.

She wanted to make sure every booker in North America could reach her, so she printed her home address and personal phone number on all her promotional materials.

And it worked.

She landed a week at a great comedy club a few hours from home — a big step forward in her career.

But here’s what happened next.

Why write alone? Join us online!

New online groups start March 23 and 25, 2026

Check out this LINK for details and registration

__________

The club displayed her promotional photo outside with the headliners. She was very attractive, and the photo caught people’s attention.

At the end of the week, after paying her, the club owner tossed her promotional packet into the trash. Not because she wasn’t funny — she was — but because bookers rarely keep those materials. They simply don’t have the space.

A few days later she received a phone call from someone claiming to be a talent booker who had her promo material.

You probably see where this is going.

He wasn’t a booker.

He was a comic who had been hanging around the club, saw her photo in the trash, and took the promotional packet — complete with her home address and phone number.

The calls started out normal.

Then they got strange.

Then they got scary.

He became a full-blown stalker.

She had to destroy all her promotional materials and have them reprinted with new contact information. Back then that was expensive because headshots and printing costs weren’t cheap.

But the worst part?

She had to move.

Imagine hearing someone say, “I know where you live.”

That might sound dramatic in a movie, but in real life it’s terrifying.

She eventually relocated and had some very large friends help make sure the stalker wasn’t around when she moved.

The lesson is simple:

You are running a business.

Treat it like one.

Keep your personal life and personal contact information separate from your professional materials.

Because once something is out there — online or in print — you never know who’s going to find it.

Thanks for reading and as always – keep laughing!!

*

Click on the banner below to sign up for Dave’s free newsletter.

Laughs and Bookings – the best revenge

Hey Dave – I had a great set last night, but one of the comedians who went on after me tore into me. It got really personal, and it honestly hurt. The people running the show asked if I wanted to go back on and get revenge, but I declined. Did I handle it the right way? – N.R.

Best revenge!

Hey N.R. – It sounds like the opening shot in a potential comedy war. Whether you want to crawl into the comedy trenches (a common comedy term — not mine) with this loudmouth depends on two things:

• Your onstage personality — your comic voice
• How you want to be seen onstage and offstage in this business

Maybe I’m naive, but after a few decades working with comedians, I’ve found this business to be far more supportive than people think. Sure, there are jerks — real pains in the butt — but I don’t know any career path that’s immune from that.

When this kind of behavior happens, it’s usually fueled by jealousy, ego, or a power trip. And here’s the irony: in my experience, the more power someone actually has in the business, the more supportive they tend to be of newer talent. That goes for comedians, bookers, and behind-the-scenes decision-makers.

Disbelief?

(I can practically feel the disbelief from some readers right now. This may turn into a future FAQ — I’ll let that thought marinate.)

For now, here’s the real issue:

Who are you onstage, and how do you want to be perceived by the people you work with — other comics and the people who hire them?

Comedians who are genuine friends tear into each other onstage all the time. That can be hilarious. At the NYC Improv, we could run a microphone into the men’s room and hold it over a flushing toilet when a friend’s joke bombed. The comic onstage ripped into us for the rest of the set, and everyone loved it.

  • That’s playful.
  • That’s earned.
  • That’s mutual.

What you experienced sounds different.

SPECIAL EVENT – ORLANDO, FLORIDA!

Standup Comedy Workshop at The Orlando Funny Bone:

Saturdays – February 7, 14 and 28 from noon to 4 pm.

Performance at The Funny Bone – Wednesday, March 4 at 7 pm

Space limited – for details and to register visit COMEDYWORKSHOPS.

*

When it’s mean-spirited, there’s no upside. An unprovoked attack is almost always about making him look better at your expense — jealousy, ego, or both.

There are two ways to handle this, and the right choice depends on who you are.

If you’re the kind of comedian who can verbally dismantle someone — truly dismantle them — then by all means, go for it. A skilled insult comic doesn’t absorb cheap shots; they return them with interest. Think Nikki Glaser, Marc Maron, Wanda Sykes, Dave Attell, Jeff Ross. An insult comic worth their weight can turn a heckler — or a fellow comic — into roadkill.

If that’s you, next time: aim for the throat.

But if that’s not your voice — onstage or in life — then you absolutely did the right thing by walking away.

Let this guy burn his own reputation. Comics don’t want to work with someone known for cheap shots. And bookers? They want the least amount of drama possible. Speaking from experience as a booker, I’ve passed on very funny non-headliners simply because they were a pain to deal with.

If someone else is just as funny — and easier to work with — that’s who gets the gig. Every time.

In a perfect world, your only focus should be becoming a better comedian. If someone chasing the same goal doesn’t like you, you’re probably doing something right.

Want revenge?
Get more laughs.
That leads to more bookings.

Use this moment as fuel. If your work ethic and focus pay off, maybe someday this loudmouth will be parking cars outside a comedy club, ripping into his coworkers — while you’re inside headlining.

Make it happen.

Thanks for reading and as always – keep laughing!!

SPECIAL EVENT – ORLANDO, FLORIDA!

Standup Comedy Workshop at The Orlando Funny Bone:

Saturdays – February 7, 14 and 28 from noon to 4 pm.

Performance at The Funny Bone – Wednesday, March 4 at 7 pm

Space limited – for details and to register visit COMEDYWORKSHOPS.

*

Click on the banner below to sign up for Dave’s free newsletter.

Comedy Blues and Creative Highs

Hey Dave – I have a confession to make and was wondering if this is normal or not and if so, how to deal with it? Is there such a thing as having the blues in comedy? I guess you could call it the Comedy Blues. I mean, I’ve been told “no” before and had terrible sets in the past. But I strongly feel it has made me the keen comedian I am today. But still, if I may… help! – A.

An instrument for creativity

Hey A. – Congratulations. You’re a creative artist.

And what you’re feeling? It comes with the territory.

A career in the arts—comedy, speaking, acting, music, writing—often means riding an emotional roller coaster. Big highs. Big lows. That’s one reason so many people wish they could do it, but don’t. Standing on stage, getting laughs, meeting fans, and getting paid is a great gig. From the audience, it looks glamorous. What they don’t see is the rejection, the waiting, the self-doubt, and the work.

The people who truly pursue it usually don’t feel like they have a choice. They have to do it.

This may sound more motivational than instructional today but stay with me.

Let’s talk music for a second. Some great songs are about incredible highs. Others are about lows—the blues. Blues songs exist because nothing worth having comes easy. They’re about loss, frustration, and struggle.

Now translate that to comedy.

Creative words from a creative artist

If you’re serious about being a comedian (or humorous speaker), you want things to happen now. But progress is slow. Opportunities are unpredictable. Yes, there are huge highs—your first paid gig, passing an audition, winning a contest. But there are also long stretches where nothing clicks, nothing moves, and doors stay closed.

Here’s the truth: every working comic will tell you that you’ll hear “no” far more than “yes,” especially early on.

That’s not a flaw in the system. That is the system.

If you want to stay in this business long enough to build a career, you need to develop thick skin. There’s no shortcut around it.

Think of it like sports. The best relief pitchers in baseball blow saves. What separates them from the ones who spiral or disappear is their ability to shake it off and throw the next pitch with confidence. That mindset has to be learned—or developed quickly—if you want to survive in a competitive field.

Comedy is exactly that: a creative art inside a competitive business.

You put your work—and yourself—out there to be judged by bookers, producers, and audiences. Some will love it. Some won’t. The goal isn’t avoiding highs and lows. The goal is not letting either one define you.

I remember working in New York and hearing brand-new comics say they planned to have a sitcom within a year. I heard it more than once. Meanwhile, the comics hanging around the NY Improv—Ray Romano, Larry David, Dave Attell (to mention only three)—had been grinding for years. They didn’t get everything they auditioned for. They just didn’t quit when someone said “no.”

Unrealistic expectations create massive lows.

Understanding the process creates resilience.

That process has a name: paying your dues. Some people drop out because they can’t take the lows. Others continue because they’re wired to create—whether success comes quickly or not. Continuing doesn’t guarantee success. Talent, business skills, relationships, and luck all matter. But quitting guarantees nothing.

So, what do you do with the Comedy Blues?

Sometimes you step back and regroup. Sometimes you put your head down and keep going. For many creative artists, there isn’t really a choice.

One final thought: consider using those feelings in your writing.

You don’t need to talk about the Comedy Blues—but bringing real emotion into your material adds honesty and depth. Audiences can spot fake instantly. They can also sense when someone is telling the truth, even through jokes.

Most strong comics and speakers draw from experience. They’ve ridden the roller coaster. They’ve paid their dues.

Remember—this is a creative art.
And being a creative artist has never been easy.

But for those who feel called to it?
It’s the only ride worth taking.

Thanks for reading and as always – keep laughing!!

Winter 2026 Standup Comedy Workshop at The Cleveland Funny Bone:

Saturdays – January 10, 17 and 24 from noon to 4 pm.

Performance at The Funny Bone – Wednesday, January 28 at 7:30 pm

Space limited – for details and to register visit COMEDYWORKSHOPS.

*

Click on the banner below to sign up for Dave’s free newsletter.