How To Write & Perform A Stand-Up Comedy Act : How to Deal With Hecklers in Stand-Up Comedy

Dealing with hecklers in a stand-up comedy show is best done by letting them embarrass themselves, so avoid shutting them up too quickly. Gather as much ammunition against the heckler as possible with great tips from a television comic and performance instructor in this free video on stand-up comedy.

Expert: Chris Murphy
Contact: www.newyorkcomedyclub.com/classes.htm
Bio: Chris Murphy has been a stand-up comedian for more than 15 years.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• up
• stand
• act
• comic
• comedy
• comedian
• nightclub
• standup

[z06lingin]

food for thought im warming up for an open mic night myself ive learned by watching guys doing the same thing ...it takes away from you crowds attention if you go after a heckler right away it shows insecurity....better to ignore the cunt and throw a comment like ...it must be free beer night..and go on with your routine

[Disthaman]

That's perfect! He gives good advice!

[squeezetoy1984]

@Pandabearmadness I think this is where improv skills really come into play. The comic has to maintain control, but against a heckler who may be quite a funny and quick-witted person themselves, it's great for great improv and quick-wit skills to try and make this enjoyable. Working on some improv material and keeping it on the back burner in the event that a talented heckler decides to make him or her self a part of your show is always a great idea, but always remember, it's YOUR show.

[kleptoonthemic]

Great advice for an experienced comedian, but what about people who are new to stand up and may not have a strong stage presence? For new comics, inviting a heckler to talk can be a nightmare. It can throw off your rhythm, break your concentration and cause the crowd to turn on you.

I've played a LOT of rooms where the crowd isn't on the comedian's side - usually open mics or "comedy night" at a non-comedy venue. The important thing is to remember that YOU are the one holding the microphone.

[HEIGHTSIXFIVE]

Nice! I gotta work on that.

[ringo692]

@Pandabearmadness absolutely agreed... any ideas how to beat the funny popular heckler?

[ringo692]

my friend just recently did a stand up comedy act and got heckled pretty bad and he did do the whole "hey how bout you shut up!" but kept trying to do his material but the problem is everyone kinda already liked this heckler and my friend's not exactly the most popular guy in the room so it's hard to win over the crowd... I mean he did tell a few good jokes and a few people thought the heckler was kinda mean but overall it didn't go well at all... how do you gain more love than the heckler

[thevoicessaidso]

this man here should have a LOT more veiws that 10000, im pritty sure there are more that 10000 new comics atm, ive watched 2 series this guy has done called how to become a stand up comedian on another video/how to site and ive learnt so much basic stuff that you sometimes just dont think of.

[graffnameseed]

bring a gun, problem solved

[Pandabearmadness]

i think this will work for a dumb heckler but if the heckler is actually funny then you end up looking like a ass. dealing with a heckler it must be very stressful i can't imagine being able to handle the stress. i think comics have the one of the hardest job in the entertainment business.

[Phenomanonn]

There is an open mike night were i live. but its mainly for music. Im not a comedian but im a magician and decided to add a bit more of stand up comedy to my act, thanks for the tip, i guess this is something i half to watch out for

[funnynewfiegirl]

True but then you can spend the entire set just giving it to the jerk. Most times, the heckler is not very quick-either too drunk or just a moron :P