This was my full stand-up comedy set from Gotham Comedy Club on Tuesday, August 5th. I told jokes about inserting ‘bro’ into words, hangovers, new sex moves, and more. I’ll give you my thoughts on how it went in a hot one, but first, a little back story. The booker invited me to do this VIP comic showcase, this wasn’t the typical new talent show in which first-timers perform with ‘new’ professionals and somewhat established amateurs. This was to be emerging talent on the cusp of going pro mixed with pros. I’m really honored that the booker invited me to do the showcase. It’s nice to know my hard work is getting noticed.
However, I met one of the other comedians before the showcase. He was Spanish and English is a second language for him. I asked him how long he’s been here (in the US) and he said Sunday… two days prior to the show. “How do American audiences differ from Spanish audiences?” I asked. He responded, “I have only done 1 show in America and that was last night.” Wow, I thought, this guy has done 1 show in America and he’s already on the VIP list of comics. He must be good. I can’t imagine me and my 8 years of shoddy Spanish language study trying to make Spaniards’ sides’ split.
Secondly, I normally time my stage entry correctly because the MC always says the same thing, “This next comic has performed ALL over the country, give it up for Neal Lynch!” This time the MC, Angelo Lozada, threw in another sentence and so I hopped on stage before he said my name, causing him to abruptly stop and call me out, which caused me to sheepishly retreat. Awkward times ten. But, Angelo and – to a much lesser extent – I saved my error in what could only be a called a modern-day vaudeville sketch. My opening line, “Premature as always” was a nice way to get it started. In here. Where’s Fergie?
Even more awkward was my closing joke. NO ONE got it. Actually, I take it back. The one dude in the front row who just flat out GOT me, got it and you can see him telling his buddies at the table. I guess the better way to have delivered the punchline would’ve been, “They’re always talkin’ about big bloody c**k in British porn!” That’s the tough part of being a comedian, guessing the intelligence of your audience. You dumb it down too much and they get offended, you try to be clever and they’re left standing with their hair blowing in the breeze.
This was a weird set, folks. When I first got off the stage I thought wow, I whiffed on that one. It was too uneven, too inconsistent, big laugh and a clap on one joke then crickets on a couple others. After the show, I met up with my friends who were in attendance and they could sense I wasn’t happy, so maybe that’s why they were lukewarm in their feedback. But then, we go to Jake’s Saloon down the street and a random comes up and says my stuff was awesome. Then, another comedian who performed in the same showcase (who I thought killed it and crushed me) said he liked my stuff. Hmmm, maybe not so bad after all. Initially, I wanted to give myself a C / C-, but then I watched the video. It wasn’t as bad as it seemed. I felt a little better. Then, I email it out to my friends and I get back “That was a good set!” I NEVER get a response when I email the link. I told some jokes to my boss and he loved ’em.
The experience has left me wondering how professionals are able to really gauge the crowd. Some advice I’ve received is ‘don’t out-think the room’, but I’ve also read / heard that comedians must play to the room and adjust on the fly. Sweet baby ribs, make up your mind, experts.
Thanks to Andy Engel of the Manhattan Comedy School, Michael Codispoti of SOAR Video, Angelo Lozada, and everyone who came out to support me. Emphasis on the came.
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Neal Lynch 
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