Michelle Buteau joins Eric Andre to talk about their early stand-up days, handling awkward performances, chaotic toilet mishaps on the road, personal struggles and anxiety, a near-death experience at a comedy festival, and a comedy mishap with a lost tooth.
Performing at non-comedy club venues can lead to disastrous bombing experiences.
Performing while drunk may result in a blurry set, but perseverance is key.
Deep dives
Bombing in Jamaica
One of the worst bombing experiences happened in Jamaica during a comedy show. The comedian, who had been doing comedy for eight years, performed at a non-comedy club venue and the crowd did not respond well. The material did not land, and a joke about sex was met with boos and even a gunshot. The comedian received backlash in Jamaica, with phone calls to family members and articles being written about the performance. This experience made the comedian hesitant to do corporate gigs in the future.
Getting a Glass Thrown at Michael Che's Show
During a gig with Sherry Shepherd and Michael Che, Michael Che went against the rules and stirred up controversy during a corporate event. He told a story involving racial slurs and used the N-word multiple times. The performance was met with shock and disapproval from the audience, and a glass was thrown at him during his set.
Performing Drunk on Stage
One time, the comedian started the day with day drinking and ended up being drunk before a show. Despite being warned by a friend to cancel, the comedian insisted on performing. The performance was a blur, with slurred speech and autopilot instincts taking over. The comedian managed to get through the set without falling or completely bombing, but later apologized to the comedy club for their state.
The Tooth Incident
During a performance at the Village Lantern, the comedian's tooth actually flew out of their mouth while on stage. This incident was attributed to dental issues and a lack of access to proper dental care due to limited health insurance. Despite the tooth mishap, the comedian continues to persevere and embrace the unpredictable nature of live comedy.
Eric and Michelle talk about their early stand-up days, not knowing how to handle piss, an audience turning on you in Jamaica, and day drinking with Dutch friends. Hold on to your tooth!
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