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76 Questions

Last Answer on June 11, 2013

What’s the typical cut for a comedian's manager?

Asked by ljenkins about 14 years ago

Managers get 10%, Agents 10%, lawyers 5% I dont have a publicist but a lot of comics do and they would need to get paid also.

1360 Votes

When comics say they are on the road "all the time" is that literal? Or is it every weekend? How often are comics home with their families?

Asked by Trob over 13 years ago

For me, it is just weekends. But I know some comics that will go on a 6-8 week tour where they are gone every single day. The last couple of years I have gone to Australia for 4 weeks in a row. It can get long, very long. We are not with our bandmates or tour manager. We are by ourselves. And allthough that is nice for some of the time, it definitely can get lonely and boring. Hence why you see a lot of comics rely on drinking and drugs to help pass the time.

Ultimately a comic is in charge or how often he/she gets booked. My agent sends me the gigs and I can decide if I want them or not. That being said, if I keep saying no, my agent may stop working for me. They get paid, when I get paid.

In general, clubs work anywhere from Fri-Sat to Tues-Sunday. The rest of the time you could be home with your family, minus the evenings when you would probably do some spots in your town.

This March I was out of town for 6 days. In April, I will be out of town for 11 days. Not bad really.

1357 Votes

When you're a headliner, do you hate when your opening act kills? Does that make it easier or harder for you?

Asked by slayton about 14 years ago

I want the show to kick ass, from start to finish. The better the show from the MC to Feature to Headliner the better the crowd pays attention, and is more likely to come back again and support the comics. When I have a shitty opener or a hacky opener I find that the crowd respects the show less, respects me less and the club. If all the comics are kicking ass, the show is awesome and actually makes my job easier as headliner. The only real problem is when the feature act (the act before the headliner) has a very similar style to me. That can get complicated. Im a cocky, tall white guy who yells a lot on stage. If the opener is the same, the show gets old fast. The good clubs pay attention to who they are booking and make sure that doesn't happen.

1355 Votes

When I graduate high school, i am planning on trying to do shows at colleges. Is trying to get into the college circuit right away a good idea? If not, what should the alternative be?

Asked by HardlyOffensive over 13 years ago

You just need stage time anywhere. Clubs, bars, colleges, bridal showers, etc. College circuit can be good but don't put too many limits on where you get stage time. If you are brand new, which it sounds like you are, just go up go up go up, over and over again. Different audiences, different ages, different environments.

1354 Votes

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Why do stand-up comics complain so much about touring? I mean, isn't that pretty much the job description from the beginning?

Asked by bl0wt0rched over 13 years ago

Yeah I guess you are right. We do complain a lot about it. Do you ever complain about anything at your job? I can safely say that I have never once complained about being booked or having a booker or comedy club hire me. What I do complain about is the shitty hotel they put me, delayed flights causing you to miss the first show, 5am radio spots, hacky comedians and trying to be vegetarian in Peoria, IL. By far the best part of the job is the 45-50 minutes you are on stage performing. Thats the shit. Thats why we got into it. Like every job, there are other parts that you didn't realize were going to be a part of it. I certainly don't get treated like a A lister when I am on the road but I've experienced it getting better and better each year and I will say that as you become bigger and funnier, the traveling and life on the road gets easier. OK heading to Applebees now.

1353 Votes

Which comedian or comedians made you want to get on stage?

Asked by D-Bock about 14 years ago

My mom took me to see Dennis Miller when I was a kid. I loved him. I still only understand 25% of his vocab but his wit, delivery and arrogance always made me laugh. How cool is my mom for taking her 11 year old son to see him? Other comics that I loved and continue to enjoy their work: Brian Regan (a comics favorite), Don Rickles, Gary Shandling (his first Tonight Show still makes me laugh), Steve Martin, Bill Cosby (seen him twice and loved it). Recently I've been getting more into Bill Hicks as well (there is a great documentary out on him right now). Unlike most of my comic friends, George Carlin never really fired me up that much. Maybe I'm a loser, I don't know.

1350 Votes

Let's get down to it - what's your groupie situation? At this point in your carreer, could you bed a different chick every night you perform, or is it tamer than we might think?

Asked by C-Moz72 about 14 years ago

Comis groupies are waaaay different than music groupies. I have had very little and the ones that I have had, you wouldn't want to sleep with. Partying after a show is fun, common and usually a great way to unwind. But to be honest it usually happens with the club workers, waitresses, other comics. Groupies tend to be annoying and expect you to make them laugh all night which I always think "I already did this, now I want a break"

1348 Votes

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Stand-Up Comedian

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

What’s the typical cut for a comedian's manager?

When comics say they are on the road "all the time" is that literal? Or is it every weekend? How often are comics home with their families?

When you're a headliner, do you hate when your opening act kills? Does that make it easier or harder for you?

When I graduate high school, i am planning on trying to do shows at colleges. Is trying to get into the college circuit right away a good idea? If not, what should the alternative be?

Also on Jobstr...

Why do stand-up comics complain so much about touring? I mean, isn't that pretty much the job description from the beginning?

Which comedian or comedians made you want to get on stage?

Let's get down to it - what's your groupie situation? At this point in your carreer, could you bed a different chick every night you perform, or is it tamer than we might think?

Stand-Up Comedian

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

What’s the typical cut for a comedian's manager?

When comics say they are on the road "all the time" is that literal? Or is it every weekend? How often are comics home with their families?

When you're a headliner, do you hate when your opening act kills? Does that make it easier or harder for you?

When I graduate high school, i am planning on trying to do shows at colleges. Is trying to get into the college circuit right away a good idea? If not, what should the alternative be?

Also on Jobstr...

Why do stand-up comics complain so much about touring? I mean, isn't that pretty much the job description from the beginning?

Which comedian or comedians made you want to get on stage?

Let's get down to it - what's your groupie situation? At this point in your carreer, could you bed a different chick every night you perform, or is it tamer than we might think?

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