I just got home from the Improv in Homestead, PA and tonight’s act Jon Lajoie (pronounced Lajwah) performed a very entertaining set of stand-up infused with a couple of his popular songs. Lajoie, who plays the character Taco on FX’s TV series The League, earned his fame online with YouTube hits like “Show Me Your Genitals,” a parody of sexist rap songs, and “Everyday Normal Guy,” a rap song for middle class white men. Lajoie started his set with the list of rules for a stand-up comedian, but I’ve learned that the audience also has an unspoken set of its own. So before you make your next trip to the comedy club, read these six tips to make sure you don’t act like a tool.
1.Don’t go in cold.
First, you should never spend money to see a performer you have never even heard of. But, unless you are the risky type, at least watch some of their standup so you know what to expect. If you find sex jokes offensive, then you’re probably not going to like someone like Lajoie. Listen to some of their material to make sure it’s worth the money.
2. Don’t be a groupie.
Oh, you’ve seen him live in person before? Good for you, but nobody else cares. Lajoie came to Pittsburgh last year and at least one person in the audience tonight was at that show, too. She tried to finish jokes, sing along with songs, and talked over other audience members when Lajoie interacted with the audience. Don’t go to the show hoping to be seen and especially don’t make yourself out to be some great scout of talent because you followed this performer’s career for years – that just makes you seem like a stalker.
3. Remember where you are.
It’s a comedy club. The guy on stage? His job is to make you laugh. Your job is to vote. If you think what he is saying on stage is funny, you laugh. If not, you don’t. But do not take everything he says seriously. Comedians want to get a rise out of the audience. Go into the show with an open mind and try to enjoy yourself.
4. Remember where you are sitting.
You are in the audience, not on stage. People came to hear jokes from the performer, not to hear you sing along or try to upstage him. I know, your rendition of “Show Me Your Genitals” is amazing when you have your headphones on, but the actual singer/songwriter is right in front of you. Besides, you should just sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.
5. Two drink maximum.
The typical cause of most of these mistakes involves our good friends Jack Daniels, Jose Cuervo, Captain Morgan, and Adolph Coors. Remember, one shot equals one beer, which equals one glass of wine. It doesn’t matter what you drink, just how much. A 150-pound man will reach a blood alcohol concentration level of .027 after drinking two beers in one hour. The drunker you get, the louder and more obnoxious you may act. Limit yourself as a precaution.
6. Show a little respect.
You may not like his material, but at least show the performer some respect. Don’t pull out your phone or, even worse, walk out in the middle of a joke (except for emergency circumstances, of course). Imagine that you’re giving an important presentation at work. Now imagine that someone is being disruptive, maybe texting or walking around while you talk. Don’t be that guy.
Jon Lajoie first came on the scene in June 2007 after years of “assassinating people in a ninja-like fashion.” His first appearance on Comedy Central Presents aired in March 2010. His second album “I Kill People” is now on sale.
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