You Bombed, Now What?

Every single comedian has bombed. Even the professionals. Yes, even that guy getting paid millions for his Netflix specials. Even him. Bombing is a rite of passage—consider it a badge of honor. Use it. Learn from it.

Sometimes bombing means the material isn’t where it needs to be. Maybe you have an idea, but the rhythm, punchlines, and flow aren’t there yet. This is what I call a seed. It’s not a joke yet, but it has potential. Testing it on stage is the best way to see if there’s interest in the topic. The audience might not laugh, but if they’re paying attention—if they’re not heckling or walking out—it means they’re curious. That’s a win.

Other times, bombing means the audience just isn’t on board. That doesn’t mean the joke is dead. Try it again with a different crowd. See if they get it. If multiple audiences don’t, it might be time to rewrite or scrap it entirely. But don’t rush to give up.

One of my best jokes bombed hard the first time I told it. I scrapped it immediately. Then COVID happened, and the joke disappeared into my notebook. Years later, when I finally got back on stage, I went through those old notebooks and rediscovered it. Reading it, I laughed out loud to myself and thought, “It’s been years, and I still think this is funny.” I gave it another shot. This time, it killed—and now it’s a staple in my set. If you believe in a joke, don’t give up on it.

If you’re mid-set and realize the audience isn’t with you, pivot. Your job is to entertain, and sometimes what you planned just isn’t working today. That’s okay. The audience’s silence is feedback. Listen to it. Adjust. I’ve seen comedians—myself included—turn a rough start into a roaring finish just by shifting gears.

The audience wants you to succeed. They showed up to laugh, to have a good time, to forget about their day. They don’t want to see you bomb. If you feel the set slipping, take a breath, readjust, and steer it back on track. You just might surprise yourself.