f.a.q.

Zoom (Download the latest update if possible) You can use any device that has the Zoom app installed on it!

No! In fact most of our starving comedians can barely afford a phone, let alone a laptop!

It's not about length for us but more about quality and effort. Usually about 5-10 mins is more than enough for us. 😉

Nope, just be funny.. or at least try

Our gracious host will announce your name, from his glorious sign up sheet

No worries, it happens, depending how bad of a connection (we have people living on house boats), then we may skip to the next comedian on the line up, and come back to you at the end to try again.

Either way, totally up to you, most likely we wouldn't even know

Everyone is allowed to unmute and encouraged to turn on their video. Then, there's the almighty "Poll", that is launched, everyone will have the chance to vote on their favorite comedian of the night. Winner will take home 1/3 of the tips!

The performance will be recorded by default, and will not be used, but can be requested to stop recording at any time. No live stream for now but we're working on it!

Zoom will have a button inside of the app to tap/click for mute/unmute. If there's a glitch (or the AI locked unmute because of zoom bombers), then the AI will ask you to unmute and a pop up will appear for you to be able to unmute.

Just have some clothes on and of course nothing obviously inappropriate (the line is blurry) in your background.

The audience! Your best feedback will be the amount of laughs you get. Of course there's always the Poll! When everyone votes you could become a millionaire!

Respect, just like in real life, we all gotta wait our turn.

Timing is key. Think about slowing down. Try to use shorter, punchier jokes, instead of longer drawn out stories without an ending. (Think "Dad Jokes")

Forget "normal" - it's as exciting as watching paint dry. Your habit of narrating life in Morgan Freeman's voice? Comedy gold. Your encyclopedic knowledge of obscure memes? Comedic caviar. Embrace your weirdness - it's your secret weapon in a sea of vanilla wannabes.

Remember when you called your boss "Mom" during a Zoom call? Or that time you tripped and faceplanted at your crush's party? Congratulations, you've struck comedy oil! Mine your embarrassing past - the more cringe, the more they'll cringe-laugh.

Jokes don't magically appear while you're shampooing (but if they do, patent that shampoo). Writing comedy is like going to the gym for your funny muscles - painful, sweaty, but eventually rewarding. That random thought about squirrels in tiny business suits? Jot it down. It could be your ticket to the big leagues.

Here's the cold, hard truth: you're going to bomb harder than a skydiver with a backpack full of anvils. But guess what? Even comedy legends have died on stage. The key is to get back up, dust off your ego, and try again. Plus, nothing's funnier than a well-told story about bombing spectacularly.

Comedy clubs are like high school cafeterias, but with more existential crises and fewer mystery meat surprises. Befriend everyone - other comics, club owners, even the guy who laughs at the wrong times. You never know who might toss you a lifeline (or at least a sympathy chuckle).

Hecklers, crickets, and soul-crushing silence are all part of the comedy buffet. Develop skin so thick it could deflect bullets. And remember, there's always the sweet consolation of the bar after the show. (We're kidding. Mostly.)

Unless you naturally sound like Gilbert Gottfried, we're talking about your comedic persona. Are you the observational wizard? The political jokester? The weirdo who makes oddly specific quips about Renaissance art? Find your niche and own it like you stole it.

Your mirror is now your harshest critic and only fan. Practice your set everywhere - while showering, during commutes, at funerals (okay, maybe not that last one). The more you nail your material, the better you'll handle when reality inevitably dropkicks your plans off stage.

Unless you're one of those inexplicably viral TikTok sensations, success in comedy is a marathon, not a sprint. It's a grueling journey of open mics, tiny gigs, and questioning your life choices. But trust me, that first genuine belly laugh from the audience? Better than therapy.

Comedy is tougher than trying to eat soup with a fork. There will be nights when you'll wonder if becoming an accountant would've been easier. But remember, every comedy legend started as a nervous nobody. Keep writing, keep performing, keep pushing. Who knows? One day, newbie comics might be reading a guide on how to be the next you.

Be a nosy neighbor Eavesdrop on conversations at the coffee shop like it's your job. It's not creepy if it's for comedy, right? Plus, you might overhear the next great punchline or discover that everyone else is just as weird as you are.

Become best friends with a notebook Jot down your weird thoughts before they escape into the ether. Your future self will thank you (or question your sanity). Bonus points if you use a glittery pen and doodle little cartoons in the margins.

Master the art of the triple threat Two's company, three's a punchline. Set 'em up, knock 'em down! It's like comedy bowling, but instead of pins, you're knocking down people's expectations. Strike!

Save the best for last Like dessert, but for your ears. Make that punchline pack a punch! Build up the tension, then BAM! Hit 'em with the funny. It's all about the element of surprise, like a jack-in-the-box, but less terrifying.

Get specific, get weird Don't just say "dog," say "Mrs. Fluffington, the poodle with an existential crisis." The more oddly specific, the better. Paint a picture with your words, preferably one that belongs in a Salvador Dali museum.

Embrace your inner dad Puns are like farts. If you have to force them, they're probably crap. But when they come naturally, they can clear a room... in a good way! Don't be afraid to groan at your own jokes.

Be the devil's comedian Look at things sideways. Why did the chicken REALLY cross the road? Maybe it was running from the law, or late for its yoga class. Find the weird angle that no one else sees.

Play mind games Lead 'em down the garden path, then push 'em into the rosebushes. Surprise! It's all about the unexpected twist. Just remember, comedy is like a roller coaster, it's fun to be scared, but nobody wants to actually get hurt.

Trim the fat Your jokes should be like your underwear, no visible panty lines. Keep it tight, keep it right. Every word should earn its place in your joke. If it doesn't contribute to the funny, kick it to the curb!

Be a joke guinea pig Test your material on friends, family, or unsuspecting strangers at the bus stop. Their groans and eye-rolls are valuable data! Just be prepared for some awkward silences and the occasional restraining order.

Become a comedy boomerang Throw those callbacks out there and watch 'em come right back for bigger laughs. It's like planting little comedy seeds throughout your set, then watching them bloom into beautiful laugh flowers later on.

Go big or go home If you're gonna lie, lie big. Your aunt didn't just trip, she backflipped off Mount Everest while juggling flaming chainsaws. Exaggeration is your friend, just don't forget your parachute on the way down from Bullshit Mountain.

Find your "everyone poops" moment We're all human. Embrace the awkward, relatable stuff. The things we all do but don't talk about? That's comedy gold. Mine those embarrassing moments like they're diamonds in the rough.

Play expectation ping-pong Set 'em up for a fastball, then serve a curveball. Keep 'em on their toes! It's all about the back-and-forth between what they think is coming and what actually arrives. Be the Serena Williams of comedic misdirection.

Master the pregnant pause Sometimes, silence is golden. Other times, it's just awkward. Learn the difference! Timing is everything in comedy. A well-placed pause can turn a chuckle into a full-blown guffaw. Just don't pause so long that people think you've fallen asleep on stage.

Understand the demographics, interests, and sensibilities of the crowd you're performing for. A joke that kills at a college campus might bomb at a corporate event. Research your audience beforehand and tailor your material accordingly. Be prepared to adjust your content and delivery style to connect with different groups.

The difference between a chuckle and a belly laugh often comes down to timing. Practice your delivery relentlessly, experimenting with the length of pauses before punchlines. Learn to read the room's energy and adjust your pacing accordingly. Sometimes, a well-timed silence can be as powerful as the words themselves.

Every comedian bombs at some point. Instead of getting discouraged, treat these moments as valuable learning experiences. Analyze why certain jokes didn't land. Was it the content, the delivery, or the audience? Use this feedback to refine your material and improve your craft. Remember, even the greats had their off nights.

Inspiration can strike at any moment, so always be ready to capture it. Keep a joke journal with you at all times - whether it's a physical notebook or a notes app on your phone. Jot down funny observations, overheard conversations, or random ideas that pop into your head. These fragments might not be fully formed jokes yet, but they could be the seeds of your next great bit.

In a sea of comedians, what makes you stand out? Develop a distinct perspective or style that's authentically you. This could be based on your life experiences, your worldview, or your particular way of observing the world. Don't try to imitate other comedians - instead, focus on what makes your point of view unique and lean into that.

A callback references an earlier joke or concept later in your set, creating a sense of continuity and inside humor with the audience. When done well, callbacks can elicit bigger laughs as the audience feels a sense of shared knowledge. Practice weaving callbacks naturally into your set, but be careful not to overuse them or force connections that aren't there.

This classic comedy technique involves setting up a pattern with two similar items, then subverting expectations with the third. The first two items create a pattern in the audience's mind, while the third breaks that pattern in a surprising or absurd way. This structure can be used for simple one-liners or more complex narrative jokes.

Develop your ability to gauge the audience's energy and reactions in real-time. If certain jokes aren't landing, be prepared to pivot to different material. Learn to use the audience's responses - even negative ones - to your advantage. A skilled comedian can turn a heckler or an awkward moment into comedy gold by thinking on their feet.

Focus your comedic targets on those in positions of power or privilege rather than marginalized groups. Punching down can come across as mean-spirited and alienate your audience. Instead, use your comedy to challenge the status quo, highlight societal absurdities, or poke fun at your own foibles. Remember, the best comedy often comes from a place of empathy and shared human experience.

Keep your finger on the pulse of pop culture, current events, and social trends. This doesn't mean you need to become a news junkie, but having a general awareness of what's happening in the world can provide fresh material and help you connect with audiences. Be careful not to rely too heavily on topical humor, though, as it can quickly become dated. Strike a balance between timely references and more evergreen material.

Ensure your camera, microphone, and internet connection are working perfectly before your performance. Test your equipment well in advance to avoid technical glitches.

Create a professional-looking background. A clean, uncluttered space or a virtual background that’s not distracting can enhance your presentation. Good lighting is crucial, so position a light source in front of you to illuminate your face.

Rehearse your material multiple times. Familiarize yourself with the flow of your presentation so that you can deliver it smoothly and confidently.

HD Video: Ensure your camera is set to high-definition (HD) for the best video quality. Go to Settings > Video and check the "Enable HD" option. Adjust for Low Light: Turn on the "Adjust for low light" option under Settings > Video to improve visibility in dim lighting conditions. Touch Up My Appearance: Use the "Touch up my appearance" feature to apply a softening effect to your video, if desired.

Select Microphone and Speaker: Choose the best microphone and speaker for your setup under Settings > Audio. Test them to ensure they work correctly. Suppress Background Noise: Use Zoom's background noise suppression feature to minimize ambient sounds. Go to Settings > Audio and select the level of noise suppression (low, medium, or high). Automatically Adjust Microphone Volume: Disable this feature if you prefer to manually control your microphone volume for consistent audio levels.

Virtual Background: Use a virtual background to create a professional look. Go to Settings > Background & Filters and select or upload a background that suits your performance. Video Filters: Explore video filters for fun and creative effects. This is also under Settings > Background & Filters.

Original Ratio: Ensure your video maintains its original aspect ratio by checking the "Original ratio" box under Settings > Video. Hardware Acceleration: Enable hardware acceleration for better performance, especially on older devices. This can be found in the advanced video settings.

Perform in a quiet space to minimize distractions. Inform those around you that you’ll be performing to avoid interruptions.

Smile, use varying tones, and keep your performance lively to maintain audience interest. Energy levels can appear lower on camera, so be more animated than you might be in person.

Be prepared for technical issues. Have a backup device ready, and familiarize yourself with Zoom’s troubleshooting tips. If something goes wrong, stay calm and address the issue professionally.