I was about an hour from showtime at the show I run at Rehab Tavern when the headliner I booked shot me a message – his car was overheating. After much messaging back and forth, he was unable to make it, so I just adjusted and gave every comic more time and filled the headline spot myself. “Were you angry, Chris?” Nope, because not only was he very apologetic, but more importantly it was a legit reason. It wasn’t like some of the other ones I’ve had happen to me.
I booked a show once and one of the comics on the show was on my bad side, as they didn’t promote the show at all. Then, this person messaged me as the show was starting and said, “Be there in 30.” Not sorry, not hey I messed up, not I had something come up – just “Be there in 30.” So I started the show and this person walked in six minutes before go time. No apology, but good news, they walked in and finally posted “Get to the show.” In other words, if you lived three minutes away and were online right then, you got the show details. Hundreds of people then walked in! (No one did, because no one sees a post and goes to a show that’s half over.)
I was doing a show in Michigan were it turns out the headliner (on a two person show, me being the first comic) was running late. He went to the wrong city. The bar informed me, so I asked if they could delay the show, as this comic was actually over an hour behind. Sure, he said. I also asked if they could make some announcements, anything. Sure, he said. The bar owner then walked up to the stage at 8:02 instead of 8:00 and made the announcement, “Are you ready for the show? Here’s Chris Coen from Columbus.” Thanks for the help! I had to do an hour and 15 minutes when I was paid for 25-35. I ran out of material and just started Mother Goosing until the headliner walked in – I saw the walk-in and said, “Ladies and Gentlemen, your headliner!” That was a long night. That’s the comedy equivalent of “Hey, I wanted to see if you could stay after work a bit and help out.” “Hmm, I guess, sure.” “Cool, I just need you to rearrange the warehouse and then you can leave.” “No problem!”