This is part of a series about How to Book a Comedian for your comedy club, corporate event, after prom, or private party. See the full series
Is there a difference between fame and talent in comedians?
We live in a world that celebrates fame.
It doesn’t matter why you’re known, as long as you’re known.
And it’s for this reason that celebrities with zero skill as a stand-up comedian can become immediate “headliners,” selling out clubs and theaters…
… and disappointing audiences wherever they travel.
For this story, I’m going to focus on one that happened a while back: Charlie Sheen.
When he was having his battles with Two and a Half Men, he went on tour.
Charlie Sheen sold thousands of tickets in minutes, but had no act.
Sure, his Twitter account was popular, he could fire off “Tiger Blood!” and “Winning!” and get millions of views/reposts/reactions, but you can’t stand on stage and yell, “Winning!” and then stand back and bask in applause.
Which every single review—and pretty much every ticket purchaser—discovered.
And said out loud. Loudly.
Sadly, hiring based on recognition was a thing long before Charlie’s tour, and is still a thing today.
Many clubs, festivals, and even businesses looking to hire someone for their club/event go with the big name over the talented lesser-known.
They hire TikTok celebrities who pack the room but offer nothing in the way of entertainment.
And, yes, I get it. I’m an old man shaking his fist at clouds, but stay with me.
If you want comedy at your venue to become a regular thing, know this: There are two ways to approach hiring comedians.
Trust me; I’ve seen hundreds of clubs over the years. I’ve watched the ones that fail and the ones that succeed.
Those that fail have something in common. They bring in the flavor of the week over and over.
You’ll get new audiences each cycle, but they’re unlikely to return. Sure, their one-time money’s in your pocket, but they won’t be back. You’ll be constantly scrounging for new customers. A well that will eventually run dry, along with your business bank account.
Those that succeed prioritize entertainment over celebrity. They play the long game.
This is, admittedly, more difficult. You have to evaluate talent and be discerning. You can’t fall prey to celebrity. But your audience will enjoy themselves more and keep coming back.
If you hire funny comics, people will trust your judgment. They’ll show up regardless of the name on the marquee.
Put talented, quality comedians on stage, and you’ll gain a trusted reputation, with a loyal following of repeat customers.
Unfortunately, this second kind of club is struggling in America right now.
I wish that wasn’t the case, and I hope it changes, but the problem is, frankly… us.
We the people love the false sense of security provided by “as seen on.”
We’ll go with familiar over unknown almost every time, and sadly, that means we miss out on the guy who’s honed his act for 20 years, but never gotten that big Hollywood break.
If you’re planning a one-off comedy show, ask yourself: Do I need to pack the room, or do I need people to leave happy?
Choosing celebrity over talent will almost certainly get you the former. But it will rarely get you the latter.
More from this series
- How to hire comedian hecklers for your golf tournament
- Which type of comedian is best for your event?
- The ultimate list of questions to ask when hiring a comedian
Looking for an experienced and FUNNY comedian for your event? Email me.
Photo by Apollo & Ivy Photography