Without question, the most difficult job in comedy is the role of the emcee. They are the first person the audience encounters, and it’s their responsibility to make the crowd feel welcomed. While it may appear to be an easy job on the surface, there is so much more that happens behind the scenes. If you were lucky enough to work in a comedy club, there was a manager to help you with the format of their show. If you decided to host your own open mic or comedy showcases, using the same rules as the pros will help your comedy show appear ‘polished’.
When I started my first open mic show, my initial reasons were:
- I needed the experience of hosting a comedy show.
- I wanted to provide other comedians with the opportunity to emcee.
Learning from my previous hosting gigs, I realized the emcee should not open with the same jokes each week at the same comedy room. It’s more interesting to have new comedians (who were ready to learn how to become emcees) perform their material and introduce the comics. It provided them with ‘On-The-Job’ training, and they learned how to ask questions about running a comedy show. While working with the talent, it was important to inquire:
- How do I properly pronounce your name?
- Are their particular credits to include in your introduction?
- At what point do you want the light?
Mistakes are going occur, but that’s why the open mic experience is important at this stage. One of the most helpful books I read was The Book On Hosting: How To Not Suck As An Emcee by Dan Rosenberg. Rosenberg reviews in great detail how to avoid some of the most common mistakes in hosting. Some of the tips mentioned in his book will become second nature with experience. Some of my favorite examples are:
Talk To The Audience
Sometimes new emcees will begin performing material, without welcoming the crowd. They should start the show by getting the audience involved with the ‘easy applause’ questions:
- “How are y’all doing tonight?”
- “Give it up for yourselves for coming out tonight!”
- “Anyone celebrating a birthday tonight?”
- “What do you do for a living?”
- “Who’s here on a date tonight?”
These questions may seem hacky, but as the emcee…you have a pass to use them. Use your comedy skills to turn answers from the audience into jokes.
Never work blue as an emcee.
Some may disagree with me on this, and it will depend on the type of comedy show you’re hosting. If you’re the emcee of a show that features comics using vulgarity, it’s your job to become the buffer as the audience prepares for the next show. There is a limit on how much an audience can laugh before getting exhausted, and also a limit on how many dirty words they want to hear all night. The emcee prepares the audience for each comedian, and should keep the audience in a neutral position of laughter.
Do the “Shake And Wait.”
Now that you have bonded with the audience, they will (hopefully) believe every comic you present to them will also be funny. As you introduce comedians, wait for them to arrive on stage and greet each one with a handshake before walking off. There should never be a point during a comedy show where the stage is empty.
Keep The Show Rolling!
Things are going to happen before, during, and after a show. Sound systems can blow, issues with lights, comics need water onstage…this list can go on forever. As the emcee, be prepared to jump in at various stages of the show to keep it rolling. It may appear to be a thankless job, but your level of professionalism will be admired and appreciated.
Don’t do material after the headliner.
The headliner is the main attraction of any comedy show. Once their set is complete, the emcee should announce future shows, thank the crowd, and end the show. If the emcee performs material after the headliner, it indicates the headlining comedian performance was not satisfactory. The audience should be “all laughed out,” and ready to go home at this point.
While no book will replace the trials & errors of performing, using the tips in Rosenberg’s book is an excellent blueprint for learning how to become a better emcee. Talk to other comedians about potential hosting gigs including fashion shows, dance shows, and other events that require an emcee. Once you understand the basics of emceeing, there is no limit on the types of events you can host!
See ya on the mic!
© 2012 Wayne Manigo
Wayne Manigo is a comedian and co-founder of DC Comedy Writers Group. He is the creator of “Addicted to Comedy,” and the ‘brainchild’ behind the annual comedy conference, Starting Stand Up: A Comic Beginning. He also produces the show, Bellylaughs in Bethesda at Caddies at Cordell.
