Compere-ing(?) basics - Advice please

[Bell]

[Omydaize]

ive got my second compering gig this week, man I am shittin myself. There is 3 good acts on and I am shitsin it man..

Just thought I would let you know.
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[tony cowards]

[Omydaize]

cheers
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[tony cowards]

Oh forgot to mention, have a bit of a chat with the audience, try to find out where people are from and if there are any "characters", this helps the other acts and can provide you with some laughs.

Don't feel pressured to try to say something funny in response to EVERY answer you get, just try to be friendly and generate a nice relaxed atmosphere, obviously if you can be funny that helps too.

Most importantly enjoy yourself, if you are relaxed and enjoying yourself then that will transmit to the audience.
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Check out my jokes here

[Coughlan]

The trick to being a good compere OmyD is to follow these basic rules..

1) Remember that the audience are there for the acts first, you don't have to be the best thing on the night.
2) The audience only have to "like" you, they don't have to find you hilarious, if they take a disliking to you then they will dread you coming back onstage.
3) If the acts are doing really well then you don't have to try to keep the energy going, it does it itself. The only times you need to really get them going are the openings off the sections.
4) As you don't HAVE to be as funny as the acts there is less pressure on you, so don't be scared to try new ideas or material.
5) The best compere is the one who keeps the night together, keeps the crowd going, makes the evening flow BUT is the last thing people talk about after the show...so you're like a comedic secret agent.

All the best Richard Compere
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[Omydaize]

Hopefully they won't smell the shit in my pants, that might make them feel awkward.
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[tony cowards]

Some great points there from Mr Coughlan, especially 2) and 3).

The only thing I would say is be a bit careful with 4), whilst I don't necessarily disagree that as a compere you have licence to try stuff out, be aware that you still have to keep the audience onside, you don't want to totally kill the room trying out your new 'baby rape material' (extreme example for exaggerated effect) before you bring on the next act.
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"A beaut of a one-liner merchant" - londonisfunny.com
"The best joke writer around" - James Mullinger (GQ magazine)
"You're silly!" - Kurt, 5 (now about 12), West Wickham
Check out my jokes here

[Coughlan]

[Omydaize]

I have no 'new' babyrape stuff,
Just the bankers...
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[bobbyc]

[Omydaize]

nice.
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[bobbysimmonds]

my tip for compering,

be funnier than the acts that you introduce, especially the first one, it's hilarious watching them struggle after you've killed, the audience won't care how funny you are as compere, they'll just assume the act/acts are shit.

you get to bask in the audience praise afterwards, the other acts sulk wondering A) how was i so shit? B) why can't i get a gf?

[comedyat...]

I compered for the first time yesterday. And it was fun! Fun, bloody fun! I used old material at different points, and tried out brand new stuff. I was fortunate though because this was a very friendly and nice gig, with students, which were up for anything! I managed to get them singing songs "Crazzzy Moose" and "Chicken", and they were hilarious, especially in the chicken song they were dancing with the moves I showed them. I thought what the hell am I/them doing, but they enjoyed it! I kept a running joke in there, every time I came on I repeated one of my lines and that seemed to work well. Get them involved, and there yours, even if some of the material you use doesn't work, they'll still warm to you. Erm and finally if you've seen Barbara Nice compere, shes bloody excellent constantly talking to everyone.

[comedyat...]

I compered for the first time yesterday. And it was fun! Fun, bloody fun! I used old material at different points, and tried out brand new stuff. I was fortunate though because this was a very friendly and nice gig, with students, which were up for anything! I managed to get them singing songs "Crazzzy Moose" and "Chicken", and they were hilarious, especially in the chicken song they were dancing with the moves I showed them. I thought what the hell am I/them doing, but they enjoyed it! I kept a running joke in there, every time I came on I repeated one of my lines and that seemed to work well. Get them involved, and there yours, even if some of the material you use doesn't work, they'll still warm to you. Erm and finally if you've seen Barbara Nice compere, shes bloody excellent constantly talking to everyone.