November open mics post-mortem
I had to cancel 2 gigs this month due to a cold and injury, and a third gig was cancelled because of a busy December for venues that need to hire out side rooms for other reason! So I’ve fallen behind a bit. I won’t hit my target for 2023 but that’s fine. I’m deciding on a new strategy going forward anyway.
1st November – Beat the Wand (55th Gig)
My first ever gong show! I was quite nervous about this one as I didn’t know what to expect. However the audience weren’t the bear pit I was fearing. In fact they were quite nice and I even managed to beat the wand. I didn’t win the cash prize but I’m more than happy with surviving my first ever gong show.
27th November – King Gong (56th Gig)
My last ever Gong Show! The total opposite of Beat the Wand. There were 300-400 people in the crowd. It was a very rowdy crowd, lot’s of “Get Off”, “You’re not funny” etc. being shouted out. Fortunately due to adrenaline I didn’t hear any of that when I was up.
I only lasted 51 seconds! They laughed at the first few jokes, but then I talked about not being a real dad, and they didn’t want to hear the poor me stuff… which actually, I don’t think it’s depressing or anything, but they make a snap judgement and you’re gone.
I didn’t really enjoy the night, but I knew what I’d signed up for. The acts that got through to the final were genuinely the funniest, so the format does work. It’s just not something I enjoy.
I’ll maybe try it again in a year or so, once I’m more confident on stage because it’s the Comedy Store! Oh and I had to do it sober for medical reasons, so I’m pretty pleased that I didn’t have any nerves. Although I still spoke a bit quiet.