"Bombing" (failing to get laughs) feels like dying. Your mouth goes dry. Time slows down. You can hear the hum of the refrigerator.
But here is the secret: Bombing is good for you.
It Callouses Your Mind
The first time you bomb, it's a trauma. The tenth time, it's an annoyance. The hundredth time, it's data. You realize that bombing cannot physically hurt you. You wake up the next day. The sun still rises. This realization makes you fearless.
How to Handle It in the Moment
- Acknowledge It: Don't pretend it didn't happen. That makes it awkward.
- Say: "Wow, that one sounded better in the shower."
- Say: "I see we have a sophisticated crowd tonight."
- Move On: Do not dwell on it. Launch into your next bit with double the energy.
- Don't Blame the Audience: Never get angry at the crowd for not laughing. It's your job to make them laugh, not their job to laugh.
Post-Game Analysis
Record your sets. Listen to the bomb. * Was the joke bad? * Was the delivery off? * Was the timing wrong?
Treat it like a scientist. A failed experiment is still a result.