When Corporate Comedy Goes Wrong

When the corporate event rests on you, take no chances.  A comedian can lighten the mood of your banquet, convention, party, sales meeting or seminar, but if the act fails to go over - it makes you look bad.  So what can you do to insure success?  Professional ventriloquist and comedian Tom Crowl offers insights based on over twenty-five years in the business of making people laugh.  Follow these tips and you can avoid failure.

1. The act must to be right for the audience.  Today's audience is familiar with comedy.  They see comedians on Comedy Central, late night television and in comedy clubs.  They know what is funny.  That is why you MUST ask the act questions ahead of time. 

• Do you use foul language? 
• What rating would you give your comedy? (G, PG, R or X?) 
• Can you provide corporate references? 

You hire the comedian to be funny - but some talent buyers want to mess with the mix.  After they hire an act, they start making additional requests:  "No foul language."  "Don't mention this..."  "Talk about our..."  "It would be funny if..."  NO!  Do your homework.  DON'T MESS WITH THE MIX!  The comedian knows what is funny.   You should realize that if you watch the act's video.  (You did see video right?)  Did you find it funny?  If so, trust the comedian to do their job.  Messing with the mix is the surest way to kill any chance of a successful performance.

2. Don't stretch the act!  Make certain the comedian knows exactly how long a set you will require.  Make certain they have experience performing to that requirement.  Trust me, you would rather the comedian keep people laughing for 30 minutes, than having people wonder when it will end because the act is stretching to meet your time frame.

3. The audience MUST be close.  Comedy operates in a close environment.  Theater style seating, or close tables are a must.  Think comedy club setting - there is a reason they are set up that way!  You can see suggested banquet room layouts on my web site: www.ComedyVentriloquist.com under techical information.   If you want the comedian to be a success, they must be able to connect with your people.  Distances, divided rooms and dance floors in front of the stage will kill the performance - guaranteed. 

4. The comedian MUST be heard.  Sound is a huge part of the mix!  Is your sound clear?  If the audience can't hear the comedian, the act will bomb.   Do not leave sound to chance.  Check the system in advance of the comedian's arrival.  Know what they require for a successful show.  Does it have the proper plug inputs?  Is it a speaking system or a music system?  (Music systems or D.J. equipment tend to distort voices with bass making nuances of comedy unclear.)  Are the speakers clear, or do they rattle?  Do you or does your act have a back-up system in the event of a sound problem?  How large a room is it capable of handling?  KNOW!

5. The comedian MUST be seen.  Throw some light on your act.  Make them stand out to help focus attention on the staging area.  You don't have to blind them in headlights (and shouldn't - chances are they need to see the audience) but they should be easy to see.

6. Do not schedule your comedian during other activities.  I've had clients request I perform during dinner!  NO!  Your audience is eating and they can not laugh with a mouth full of food.  If you expect the comedian to entertain your group, the audience should be focused and ready.  Introduce your comedian.  Let the audience know the show is starting.  Read the introduction provided by the act.  Set the mood for a professional show and you will have a successful one.

If you follow these simple guidelines, your comedian should shine, making your event a success.  If one of these ingredients can not be provided, or you have special circumstances that need to be addressed - make certain to talk with the comedian during step #1.   Trust the act enough to know if they are right for your event.  Professional entertainers have no desire to die on stage.  If their act is not right, perhaps they can steer you to one that is.