The best advice I ever got doing comedy was to record my set. There is no substitute for listening (or viewing) after the fact. I wish all comics did this. I emceed last night and a new comic went up. He said “like” at least 40 times during his set. Probably more, but I lost count. Example: “Like, my girlfriend and I like went to Cedar Point and like, it was cool, but like I wanted to like ride the Milennium Force and she was like, no way, like I’m scared.” It was so distracting, like, I almost like forgot about the like rides and stuff.
Of course, in fairness, I tried out a new joke. Here’s how it happens. I wrote this premise a few weeks ago about how no matter what opinion you have, someone will agree with you and it makes you embarrassed that you hold the opinion, because they’re so stupid. Sunday I honed it, typed it out and walked away. Monday I hated it and rewrote it. Tonight I changed it again. I did the joke and recorded it. I was pleased…until I listened and realized it was a three out of ten. Actually, now that I think about it, maybe I should never record anything ever again. That was depressing. It killed! New hour long special coming up called “Delusions of Grandeur: How my jokes secretly suck!” Damn you, comedy.