A painful lesson I have learned in standup comedy is that there is tremendous truth behind that statement, “The Show Must Go On.”
I remember a couple years into standup I had booked a monthly show in middle of nowhere, KY at a bed and breakfast. It wasn’t a bad gig for a new comedian, because it was the kind of show other comics would want to be on…which made it serve as a good networking opportunity for me.
We had one show that went really well, and the day of our next show I broke out in a very vicious allergic reaction. I had to call and back out of the show, and the other comedians went up without me and “figured it out”. Nowadays I would send someone who could fill my spot as host and show producer, but back then I didn’t have the foresight to do that.
Long story short, the show went on, the comics did fine, and one comic was so well liked that the venue decided to give him my show, and I was not invited to participate in the gig anymore.
It’s okay, I believe that Bed and Breakfast eventually closed and last I heard the owner is on the run somewhere in Germany and owes a lot of money to a lot of people…I don’t have any idea of that’s actually true, but it makes for a satisfying ending of the story for me.
The point I want to raise is that sometimes we need to cancel gigs, and there is a correct and incorrect way of doing it. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the HOW and WHEN of unbooking yourself for a show.
HOW to Unbook Yourself
Sometimes you have to send that “I’m sorry, I’m not coming” message to the bookers, and here are some pointers on how to rip that band aid off as painlessly as possible.
Do It ASAP
As soon as you know for sure, you won’t be there, that is when you need to let the booker know. Don’t “leave your options open” or procrastinate because you don’t want to have that potentially awkward conversation. Be like Nike, and Just Do It.
If you know at the beginning of the week, please do not text them an hour before the show. That’s really crappy behavior, and it will make it harder for them to find a replacement.
Be Honest (Unless it’s better to be Quiet)
Don’t send them an entire saga chronicling your life and all the events from your childhood that led you to being unable to attend this comedy show but…if you have a good reason, let them know.
If someone’s really sick, I am completely understanding to if they can’t make my show and am glad they are not sharing the germs with all of us.
If they received a last minute opportunity to open up for an amazing comedian that could open doors for their careers, I am happy for them and understanding that they need to pass on my small coffee shop show.
Furthermore, if the booker ever gets angry at you for choosing your family over the gig, or taking the bigger opportunity to perform, then they are jerks and you should be okay not working with them.
That being said, if you’re reason is “Sorry I can’t make it to your show, I’m to hungover from partying last night.” First of all, grow up. Secondly, maybe just give a portion of the truth like, “I’m sick.”
Telling them that you are behaving like an untrained 21 year old will not help your chances of getting booked again.
If Possible, Offer An Alternative Comic
I was taught at an early age to never offer a problem unless I can offer up a solution too. Whenever I have to cancel a gig, I’ll offer the option of “Can I help you find a replacement?” If they are okay with it, then I’ll find someone I really trust to be amazing on the show in my place. This is actually the “best case scenario” in the event that I have to cancel on a gig because I am able to get a better gig (probably), I didn’t leave the other show lacking, AND I am able to provide work for a comedian friend. A real win/win/win.
A suggestion within this suggestion, DON’T find the possible replacement unless the booker is okay with it. I’ll be honest, even though many bookers I have worked with prefer me finding a replacement, when I am producing the show, I would prefer to find my own person.
There’s nothing more awkward then promising your comic friend a gig you can’t do but then having to text them an hour or two later with words like, “Sorry, the booker doesn’t want you.”
Apologize and Offer The Opportunity To Rebook
Sometimes you’ll need to back out of a gig, but it’s rarely going to be convenient for the booker that you can’t do their show, so I think a heartfelt, “I’m sorry to do this but…” is valid.
Never forget that it’s a privilege to be on any show. Sure, they are lucky to have you, but of the many comics they could have reached out to, they asked you to be on the show. This isn’t something I take lightly, and I don’t think you should either.
So if something comes up, express interest in working them in a future date. Send them your upcoming avails, or ask to be considered for their next show. They may not want to book you again, or not have any upcoming availability, but at least you asked and voiced appreciation of the work they are doing.
A sub note here too, the more you back out of gigs with the same booker the less likely they will keep you in mind for future gigs. My limit is usually 2 backouts before I decide to stop asking a comedian to be part of my show. So if you’re backing out of a gig, make sure it’s 100% worth it.
But sometimes it will be 100% worth it, and here are some times when you should definitely back out of a gig!
When to Back Out Of A Gig
When A Better One Comes Up
You’re probably thinking “Duh” when you read this heading, and I get it…this sounds really obvious.
I think it’s worthwhile though to define what we constitute “A Better Gig” as.
If you are booked on one show, but then a show involving a special network taping, or big comedy club, or nationally touring headliner pops up…This is probably a better gig because it has great potential to escalate your comedy career.
Some opportunities don’t come every day, but sometimes they do, and you need to be open to them and don’t let the fact that you’re closing out your buddy’s dive bar show stop you from taking those shots.
Let’s be honest, another worthwhile thing in comedy is when It pays well.
You get to define what “well” is for you but if you’re doing a gig for $50 bucks and free wings, and someone offers you a gig for $600…maybe that’s one worth taking. over your previous booking
The more you do comedy and the better you get, the more better gigs will come along. If you’re getting to the point where you are being asked to perform at a variety of venues, and sometimes at places that pay you well, I highly suggest when you take “smaller gigs” you let them know ahead of time in a very polite way, “I’d love to do this show, and thank you for having me, but I need you to know if a gig comes up that pays me *X amount* or more, I’ll have to take it.”
This may seem odd to say ahead of time, but it will make your text a lot less awkward if you have to back out of the gig later.
When Life Outside of Comedy Comes Up
This is a weird one for me to write about as a single and unmarried man, because frankly I don’t have much of a life outside of Comedy. But I’ve heard of these people who are “spouses” and “parents” and sometimes they have to be their for their kids or partners.
Here’s your friendly reminder that you are allowed, and SHOULD have a life outside of comedy.
Please be attentive to your family and friends, and sometimes that means you need to put them before your career.
So if you have to back out of a gig to make it to your daughter’s wedding, or to your own, that’s completely okay.
If your friend is having a last minute and scary procedure done and doesn’t have anyone to take them to the hospital, or if they just need a friend to sit with them afterward…it’s okay to call up the comedy club and let them know “I’m sorry, but I need to be with my friend during this time.”
Sure, canceling gigs because you are putting the rest of your life first MIGHT have ramifications on your overall comedy career, but I promise that in certain circumstances it’ll be worth it.
Building a career as an entertainer definitely will involve a lot of personal and financial sacrifice but you should make sure you aren’t sacrificing literally everything to make your comedy career work.
When the Booker or Venue is “Bad People”
I’ll be honest, this is a hard one to discern until it isn’t. And that’s when you need to bounce.
Let me be the first to tell you this in case nobody has ever told you, but a lot of comedians, bookers, and venues are sketchy AF!
Comedy is a wonderful profession for degenerates to get into because at lower and mid levels nobody is asking certain questions. And many rising comics will do anything for stage time, which a lot of shady folks will absolutely take advantage of.
So as you’re expanding your network and working with new folks, you may meet some awful humans. Not everyone who “on your side” is actually on your side. And many of them, you shouldn’t WANT to be on your side.
There are some clubs, comedians, and bookers out there that have such a bad reputation that if you align yourself with them, you’re reputation will be brought down to their level.
Now it’s hard and sometimes impossible to figure that all out and act accordingly, so I suggest having your own deal breakers. I’ve had to distant myself from bookers who were legit mentally ill and psycho before, because it was making for bad business. That’s okay.
I’ll also do my best to keep my distance from bigots, creeps, and in general shady people. Those are my lines, you should either copy those boundaries or create your own.
And maybe when you accept the gig at first, you didn’t know the person you “got into bed with”…but then you figure it out.
If that booker or venue is Bad People, go ahead and get yourself out of that gig. You have my permission (For whatever that’s worth)
There is one more thought I want to share about canceling gigs. You should be aware that Cause and Effect is a universal principle that impacts literally everything we do. What I mean by this is there will always be some kind of consequence for you backing out of a gig.
Maybe that person will never book you again. Maybe you’ll miss out on an opportunity. At the very least, people who could have benefited from finding joy in your jokes, will not.
But, there are times when it’s worth it.
Don’t lose your marriage or kids because you went to every comedy show you were booked on. Don’t miss your big shot at a Comedy Club or Netflix because you took Dave’s Dive Bar show and you didn’t want him to write a mean Facebook status about how unreliable you are.
I promise, if you don’t do “That” gig, whichever one it is, you’ll be fine.
Did I miss anything? Are there any other good reasons to back out of a gig? Do you have any foolproof ways of getting out of them? What other thoughts and opinions do you have! Feel free to share below or suggest a topic for a future blog article. Thanks as always for reading!
