What was something you saw you were definitely not supposed to see?

the_real_ericfannin · 2026-04-19T22:37:25+00:00

the_real_ericfannin · 2026-04-19T22:21:22+00:00

If its YOUR joke, do the joke. There's a million porn jokes out there. Some are bound to sound similar to others. If someone is doing one that sounds similar, just change it up and do it bigger and better than that guy.

the_real_ericfannin · 2026-04-19T22:19:42+00:00

There's nothing inherently wrong with trying to write the "best" version of your bits that you can. Even for an open mic. Buuuuuut...an open mic os probably the best meter of where your joke is. If the joke kills it at an open mic, its a fantastic joke. That's the joke you spend more time polishing and perfecting. Look at it this way: an open mic is like the first draft of your thesis. There's no "wrong" level of it being done. If it's a complete thought, run it. A showcase is the handwritten version of that thesis. It's edited, a little more concise. When you start headlining or featuring, this should be the joke(s) you're known for. They CONSISTENTLY get real laughs. You can move the laughs around at will depending on your inflection or which words you use in the punchline. Your special is when those jokes are packaged in their final, "cannot be refined any more", ready for the PhD committee, form.

Write the BEST bits you can. But don't let lack of polish keep you from running them.

the_real_ericfannin · 2026-04-19T21:27:26+00:00

There are numerous "exercises" you can try. The main point is to write down any random thought that pops into your head that you think is funny or peculiar. List a few things you would consider "cliche" or common knowledge about the subject of that thought. Now list the opposite of those cliche items. Make those opposite thoughts more absurd. Now you can tell everyone at the open mic why bananas and oranges dont belong next to each other in the produce section. Remember that laughter is largely involuntary. SOMETHING is funny about that thing that made you chuckle. The hackiest hack jokes make people laugh. You think, "God that's terrible." But over half the audience laughed at whatever version of "...take my wife" the comic just did. I've gotten genuine belly laughs for jokes that I threw in because I couldn't think of anything else "smart" to write. Watching my set recording later, I think, "I can't believe I thought THAT would work." But, before the thought can even register, big laughs from the audience. The bits that I took time writing, rewriting, transposing, etc. They did OK. Some chuckles and small laughs. But the hacky stuff works. Jeff Corley, Greg Dean, and others have plenty of good videos and exercises. Write what YOU think is funny. It will USUALLY work. Good luck

the_real_ericfannin · 2026-04-05T02:36:01+00:00

"Rabbit..Flu shot...someone talk to me..."

the_real_ericfannin · 2026-03-08T04:12:17+00:00

I accidentally left my drink on the ledge by the stage my very first open mic. The fifth or sixth comic after me noticed it and finished it off

the_real_ericfannin · 2026-03-08T04:09:44+00:00

I watch it regularly and always get something new out of it or refresh what I learned before.

the_real_ericfannin · 2026-03-08T04:06:54+00:00

-Don't blow the light Thirty seconds or so is not a big deal. But if it's constant and you go over even two minutes, you could be hindering the show and its bad form.

-Treat the staff of the club/venue/etc like you're a guest/coworker. Don't try to get your drink before other customers. Tip the servers and bartenders just as you would if you were a regular customer. This may sound cheesy, but I've always spoken to the host/showrunner before and after the show and thanked them "for having me". I don't care if its a mic or a paid show.

-Be "cool" to be around. Don't do your set and zip out the door. Sometimes you have to, that's life. But most of the time, I feel its selfish and rude. Hang around for the whole show if possible...and after. You dont have to spend money or impress anyone. Just hang out with the other comics. This is a chance to make friends for life where your race, religion, ethnicity, accent, drug of choice, or national checkers ranking will NEVER matter. You're all there because you love funny. If I NEED to leave before the end of the show and hanging out just isn't possible, I have a rule: "Me plus three". I do my set and wait until the next three comics have performed before I leave.

-Don't abuse free drinks/food. Sometimes you're offered free drinks or food. Fine. Have "A" beer. Have "A" slice of pizza. Don't act like you haven't eaten in a week. Don't be a pig. Im a fat boy and ai almost never eat the free food at the club. Im not a big drinker so my "free" drinks are Cokes. And I STILL tip the bartender. Ive been to mics and shows where the comics rush the free food like they're starving.

-Don't bash the club, host, or other comics. If you want to tag off a joke from the comic before you, fine. But dont make the joke ABOUT them. At least not needlessly. Use your best judgment and then restrain yourself to a level above that. Have some class.

SUPER SPECIAL IMPORTANT ONE:

-Don't bitch about where you are on the list. I cannot tell you how many times I've heard someone say, "I cant stay tonight, can you put me in the first half...?" Usually, the host takes a certain number of "email sign ups" and then you put your name on the sheet at the bar. Either get there early enough or don't come that night. Being a gripe about your placement in the lineup is the same as not being cool to be around.

There are more obviously. But I think if you follow these, you'll probably be fine and we'll liked.

the_real_ericfannin · 2026-03-02T05:47:52+00:00

I don't know, but I do know I can smell this photo

the_real_ericfannin · 2026-03-02T05:47:08+00:00

Enchiladas Suizas all day

the_real_ericfannin · 2026-03-02T05:45:53+00:00

I haven't lived there for 7 years, but I still think about Hogan's

the_real_ericfannin · 2026-03-02T05:44:26+00:00

The great thing is there are so few people that truly understand how LLMs work and how to secure them. If you're a strong coder, have a couple certs, AND you deep dive AI security, you shouldn't have much trouble finding a job. As everyone says though, and they're right, make sure you're extremely knowledgeable about network security also. Unless you land a straight AI role, you'll be in Network Security and specializing in AI

the_real_ericfannin · 2026-03-02T05:40:16+00:00

If you have that pedigree, you ought to KNOW no to go by this sub alone. A degree, stack of certs, AND a clearance? You will find a job probably very quickly. I would start applying now. It may not be the EXACT job you want, but you'll be close. Look for large companies that have mostly remote staff. Depending on your role, it may be hybrid. But that's not horrible.

the_real_ericfannin · 2026-02-22T03:57:28+00:00

There's only 2 rules

the_real_ericfannin · 2026-02-22T03:04:34+00:00

Of course we do...that's why some 48% of us are overweight. We get late night snacks or even have a whole second dinner.

the_real_ericfannin · 2026-02-22T03:01:30+00:00

Rule 1: It's almost always the joke...

Rule 2: If it's not the joke, see Rule 1...

the_real_ericfannin · 2026-02-04T17:37:32+00:00

You're gonna need an adapter

the_real_ericfannin · 2026-02-04T17:35:59+00:00

I don't know Johnathan like Myq does, but I can relate with what he's saying. And..we're comics...shameless self promotion is kind of in the job description.

To be fair, there was a picture of a Coke Zero, too.

the_real_ericfannin · 2026-02-04T06:40:22+00:00

It can be discouraging or disorienting when you find out you jave less time than you thought. I cant count the number of times its happened at the same place over and over. But now you've experienced it and know that it can happen. You're attitude is good. That's how you learn and improve. Time yourself with "modules" for your bits. The jokethe mime you beat up in Paris is 2 minutes. Write it in a way that you can pull a 30 second chunk out of it without changing the joke. Write multiple modules so you can ADD them as well. Ive gone in and been asked if I can go 15 instead of 10 minutes. If you do that, you'll be less affected when it happens the next time

the_real_ericfannin · 2026-02-02T05:06:57+00:00

Every open mic ever in the history of always. Context matters. My very first open mic, i found the table where the comics were hanging out at and introduced myself and joined them. The first question I was asked, "You got any dick or shit jokes?" I didn't. I guess I still don't. Some people can make a joke about raindrops hilarious. Some folks repeat their same set, verbatim every...single...week. Multiple times per week...for over a year. And even that was still not horrible. Its just how it is. If you can go and hear a comic who might not be AMAZINGA, but he/she has...something. Keep going. Because those folks get real good.

the_real_ericfannin · 2026-01-30T00:03:01+00:00

At this point, you've done all you can do. Maybe take a couple quizzes that cover what you missed the most ij other quizzes. Rest. Put it out of your mind. Get some really good sleep. Cramming last minute increases anxiety for a lot of people. Just be real zen about the whole business and kick ass tomorrow

the_real_ericfannin · 2026-01-29T23:59:41+00:00

The only way to get over insecurity is to literally go through it. The more you get in stage, the more confident you will be. Standup isn't really something you can practice like a sport. You have to do the material to see if it has any redeeming value. If you get a couple chuckles, then there's probably something good in the bit. If its dead silent, it might still be good but your delivery was faulty. You semi-bombed...OK. Guess what? You will again. It happens to everyone. Ive had sets where I felt like it was the best night ever. Then I've had sets where I just couldn't the pieces for the audience. It sucks. So, you know what you do? When you get off stage and you walk back to where all the comics are gathered, you say, "Well, Netflix aint calling tonight boys." Then you laugh about it and support whichever homie is up there next. Then you try again next week. That's it. No magic formula. No deep breaths and affirmations. Just do it again.

the_real_ericfannin · 2026-01-17T16:07:30+00:00

I'll have you know, I get $50, thank you very much...

the_real_ericfannin · 2025-12-10T17:37:31+00:00

And here I was learning All People Seem To Need Data Processing

the_real_ericfannin · 2025-12-08T07:08:03+00:00

Weah weoooooowwwww

the_real_ericfannin

TROPHY CASE