Sarah Squirm, known for her unique and grotesque style of comedy, talks with Eric about opening for parents weekend and the challenges of making parents laugh. They discuss the rush of stress on live television and the biggest heckler at an outdoor comedy show: the sun.
Performing in rowdy environments and dealing with hecklers can be challenging for comedians but can also lead to memorable moments of support from fellow performers.
Maintaining composure and continuing with a performance despite uncomfortable situations is a valuable skill for comedians.
Deep dives
Bombing at a Detroit DIY show
During a DIY tour, Sarah performed at a punk house in Detroit where the crowd was rowdy and the floor was made of dirt. One audience member held a lit candle in her face, heckling her with a silent flame. Another person in the back scribbled on the walls with crayons. Amidst the chaos, a Juggalo named Freshness silently watched the show and later gave Sarah a drawing with a note thanking her for her Chicago comedy.
Being heckled by a candle
During a gig at Cole's Bar in Chicago, a man under the influence of drugs and holding a lit candle approached the stage. He heckled Sarah, displaying a surreal and unsettling moment. While Sarah couldn't come up with a comeback, the headlining band Pump and Meat Wave defended her, shutting down the heckler and ensuring a supportive environment for the rest of the show.
Opening for a metal band
Sarah once opened for a metal band and bombed. The crowd was unsupportive, with one person loudly insulting her performance. However, the headlining band, Pump and Meat Wave, sarcastically acknowledged the heckler, praising Sarah for her set and calling out the individual who tried to heckle her.
Performing at an open mic in Ohio
Sarah had a challenging experience at an open mic in Ohio. During her set, an audience member shouted a graphic comment about having sex with her. Despite the discomfort caused by the comment, Sarah managed to maintain her composure and continue with her performance.
Eric and pal of the pod, Sarah Squirm, talk about opening for parents weekend and how it's hard to make mom and dad laugh. Talks of SNL ensue and how it's great to collectively bomb as a cast and why people get the rush of stress on live television. This isn't TikTok, this isn't Instagram, THIS IS LIVE TELEVISION BABY! This episode is not sponsored by Zofran, but, it is the drug of choice. Also, they both agree on the biggest heckler at an outdoor comedy show: the sun.
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