After Party Comedy HooHa - Part Eight

So our pal Rich Walker is up on stage, doing that voodoo that he do.

Meanwhile, in the back of room, Rob is up next.

Now, if you've listened to the show ...or read some of my blogs ... you'll know that Rob is kinda like a caged animal when it comes to comedy ..

HE ATTACKS IT!

Now throw into the mix a packed house, an adrenaline-fueled vibe, a few cocktails ... and we got ourselves a pumped up Rob Altmann!

Rob had grabbed Linda's boyfriend Andrew and dragged him to the green room, so they could go over his routine. Those two are friends and Andrew is "the calm type" so I'm guessing he helped Rob focus before the gig.

Steve Lazarus, Paul Bond, and myself all exchanged knowing glances while watching Rob get psyched for his set ... because we've all "been there" before. Your mind races with all of the possibilities of what might happen, but you also have to prepare yourself by remembering your entire routine ... so it appears effortless.

Remember folks, a comedian has to memorize anywhere between 5 to 45 minutes of material and do the performance solo. AND you have to do this material in front of people that want to laugh.

Ever tell a joke .. one joke .. that didn't work? Times that by a thousand and you'll understand what I'm writing here.

Now back on the stage, Rich Walker was finishing up his set. He seemed to go over time a little, but we really didn't mind at all. Rich is a great guy and he was killing, so I let him keep going.

However, as all good comedy emcees must do, I stood just a few feet away from the stage, to "remind" Rich that his set was coming to a close.

It was at that point, that something happened. It's what I called "The One-Liner Miscommunication Incident."

Something that I'm sure will be featured as a re-enactment on my A&E Biography one day.

So what happened?

Should I wait until the next blog?



Uh ...



NAH ....



I'll tellya now ...


Rich was telling a joke about "Getting Off" ... not the stage of course ... "Getting Off" in some sort of vague sexual way ... I don't really need the visual, so I won't go into it.

Then Rich looked at me and asked, "So whaddaya think? Should I get off?"
And I responded, "Yeah! Get off!"

To which the crowd instantly turned on me, thinking that I was telling Rich to get off the stage.

Here I was, trying to be nice to our performer ...

AND I'M THE VILLAIN!?

Sheesh.

I instantly informed everyone .. and Rich ... that I wanted him to stay on stage and continue.

That seemed to calm things down. Honestly, I didn't even want to say anything. I personally hate it when I have to answer to another comic on stage. I just want to do my set.

Rich finished his set, I walked up, told him again what I meant .. and he kinda just looked at me.

Don't know if he heard me, but he went to the back of the room.

Was he insulted?

Don't think so. But then again, Rich is such a nice guy he wouldn't say anything.

I emailed him later and thanked him for the show and he said he had a great time .... so crises averted.

But now ladies and gentlemen ... it's Rob's turn at the microphone!

How's THAT gonna turn out?

.... stay tuned!