Posted on September 29, 2008
These two words appear time and time again in my notebook and comedy scrapbooks, and most recently, on my arm in form of a tattoo. Before my first amateur night appearance, when I expressed to the headliner how terrified I was, his words of advice were simply, “have fun.” In all my worrying, I’d forgotten that that’s the whole point. If you’re having fun, chances are people will want to come on board.
I was taught to acknowledge the obvious very quickly.
Me: [enter stage right] Hi!
Audience thought: Does she know she’s big? [tension]
Me: [girth joke]
Audience thought: Oh, phew. She knows. [relax]
It’s obvious I’m a voluptuous woman clearly not in her 20s. Get it out there. Get it out of the way. A pinch of self-deprecation and they might even like me.
Sorry. Liquid Paper mishap.
Because I can’t pre-gauge audience reaction/laughter, I have several lines on the periphery that I can throw in if my wild fantasy laughter turns out to be polite tittering.
Closer at the moment. Whether one can relate to large cotton panties or not, a bluesy number sprinkled with jokes seems to bring us all a little closer together. The whipping out of the panties is a secret ploy so that I can wipe off my sweat and leave dry.
New line for an old joke. Didn’t want to forget it.
It’s interesting trying a call back earlier or later in your set to see who’s paying attention. Placement often depends on drunkenness of audience.
Set List Details
Note: It is on the back of an American Express bill because not only am I a comedian, I recycle. Role model. Right there.
This is an actual set list. I didn’t recreate it. It was used for a festival showcase. You might even notice the hair that was stuck to the sticky part of the Post-It note because it was slung around in my comedy backpack for a few days. Personal touch. DNA. You’re welcome.
The tattoo and motto!
2 Responses to Lori Gibbs's Set List
Thanks so much for submitting Lori! Love the tattoo pic - it’s a nice touch.
Posted by Donovan Deschner on Oct 2, 2008
I like your opener theory, and how you actually drew in a callback placement arrow.
I wanna hear the jokes though!!
Posted by Scott Strange on Oct 13, 2008