Reality: Surviving 100 Gigs as a Standup Can Be Tough — Even for Experienced Comedians
Ellie Gibson, a veteran comedian, has emerged from a grueling year on the open mic circuit to share her insights on what it takes to make it in the cutthroat world of standup comedy.
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🔗 Original sourceEllie Gibson's year on the open mic circuit was marked by sexist MCs, venues with makeshift seating, and other comedians stealing her punchlines. This ordeal highlights the challenges that comedians face in the industry.
A Year on the Open Mic Toilet Circuit
According to Ellie Gibson, a veteran comedian who has performed over 100 gigs, her year on the open mic circuit was a baptism by fire. She recounts her experiences in an interview with OMGHive. 'I've been to venues where the seating was literally a crate with a few cushions scattered around it,' she said. 'It was like performing in a storage room.' Account to OMGHive, Gibson also experienced the frustration of having her punchlines stolen by other comedians. 'I'd write a great joke and then someone else would come up and use the same punchline,' she said. 'It was like they were trying to one-up me.' Gibson's experiences serve as a reminder of the cutthroat nature of the standup comedy industry.
The Pattern of Sexism and Competition
The sexism and competition that Ellie Gibson faced on the open mic circuit is just one manifestation of a broader pattern of exploitation and marginalization in the standup comedy industry. The industry's emphasis on novelty and shock value can lead to a culture of one-upmanship, where comedians feel pressure to push the boundaries of taste and decency in order to get noticed. This can result in the objectification and marginalization of certain groups, including women and minorities. As Gibson noted, 'The industry is still very much a boys' club, and women are often seen as novelty acts rather than serious comedians.'
“Ellie Gibson on the sexism she faced in the industry: 'The industry is still very much a boys' club, and women are often seen as novelty acts rather than serious comedians.'”
What We Don't Know Yet
Despite Gibson's experiences, there are still many questions surrounding the standup comedy industry. For example, how widespread is the practice of stealing punchlines, and what can be done to prevent it? Additionally, what steps can be taken to address the sexism and marginalization that Gibson faced? The answers to these questions remain unclear, and it will be up to the industry itself to address these issues. As Gibson noted, 'The industry needs to do some serious soul-searching and figure out how to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for comedians.'
Key Takeaways
- Ellie Gibson performed over 100 gigs on the open mic circuit
- She experienced sexism and competition from other comedians
- The standup comedy industry is still a boys' club
- The industry needs to address sexism and marginalization
- The industry needs to create a more inclusive and supportive environment
What to Watch
In the coming weeks and months, it will be interesting to see how the standup comedy industry responds to Gibson's criticisms. Will there be a shift towards greater inclusivity and support for comedians, or will the industry continue to prioritize novelty and shock value? One thing is certain: the industry needs to do some serious soul-searching and figure out how to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for comedians. As Gibson noted, 'The industry needs to do some serious soul-searching and figure out how to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for comedians.'
According to a study by the comedy website, Chortle, the standup comedy industry is worth over $1 billion annually.
Ellie Gibson's experiences on the open mic circuit serve as a reminder of the challenges that comedians face in the standup comedy industry. However, her story also highlights the resilience and determination of comedians who continue to push the boundaries of what is acceptable in the industry. As the industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how it responds to Gibson's criticisms and what changes it will make to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for comedians.
