VLOG: Behind the Scenes of a Last-Minute Comedy Show with Leah Tiscione
This episode is a little different you’re coming with me behind the scenes of a last-minute comedy show.
A couple days before this, I got asked to perform at Pine Creek Lodge and open for the comedy band Wolves of Glendale. So instead of doing a normal studio episode, I brought the camera along and turned the whole night into a little Laugh or Death vlog.
My friend and fellow comedian Leah Tiscione joined me, and before the show we got into what actually goes through a comedian’s head right before getting onstage: panic, set lists, cheat sheets, remembering your opener, trying new jokes, and figuring out where to hide the material you’re not totally sure about yet
We also talk about why five minutes of comedy can sometimes feel harder than twenty, how much the room changes the way you perform, why I’d genuinely rather perform in front of 10,000 strangers than 10 people I know, and why the best cure I know for stage nerves is simply getting more stage time.
Then we actually do the show and come back afterward to break down what worked, what didn’t, and the strange experience of sometimes leaving the stage knowing exactly how every joke landed — while other nights feel like a complete blackout.
The biggest takeaway for me came later that night.
The venue wasn’t perfect for comedy. The crowd was spread out. I wasn’t getting the perfect footage I usually want for clips. And somehow, because I stopped worrying so much about the outcome, I ended up being more present and having a lot more fun.
I was watching people laugh, interacting with the crowd, and enjoying performing simply because I love doing it.
It felt like for the love of the game.
So come hang out backstage with us, watch two comedians overthink everything, and see what a real comedy night looks like when you only get a couple days’ notice.
Hit play now!
Life is hard. We should laugh harder.
Links:
FREE GIFT! Download the Fun Over Funny Guide For Leaders! https://www.paulosincup.com/freegift
If you enjoyed this episode and want to build your own humor habit, make sure to follow the podcast and share it with someone who could use a little more levity in their life.
To learn more about Paul’s work, book him for speaking engagements, or explore the science behind humor and resilience, visit: 👉 https://www.paulosincup.com You can also dive deeper into the tools discussed in this episode in Paul’s book: 👉 The Humor Habit
All Links For Paul: https://stan.store/PaulOsincup
Guest Socials & Website:
Episode Minute-By-Minute:
00:00 – Welcome to a Last-Minute Comedy Show
00:45 – The Outdoor Venue & Why Comedy Needs a Close Crowd
01:30 – Meet Comedian Leah Tiscione
02:00 – What Comedians Feel Right Before Going Onstage
03:00 – Leah’s “Emotional Support Paper”
04:00 – Why the First Two Minutes Matter So Much
05:00 – Where to Put New Material in Your Set
06:00 – Is 5 Minutes Harder Than 20 Minutes?
07:00 – Stop Wasting Time and Get to the Joke
08:00 – Should You Talk to the Crowd First?
09:00 – Why Audiences Need to Feel Like You’re in Control
10:00 – How Did the Show Actually Go?
11:00 – Leah Catches Her Parents Not Laughing 😂
12:00 – Why I’d Rather Perform for 10,000 Strangers
13:00 – How Comedy Takes Over Your Entire Day
14:00 – Why More Stage Time Makes You Less Nervous
15:00 – The Best Way to Get Better at Public Speaking
16:00 – Karaoke Might Actually Be Stage Training
17:00 – We Invent “Kara-Jokey” 😂
18:00 – I Hope AI Steals My Jokes Someday
19:00 – Why Comedians Obsess After a Show
20:00 – The Jokes That Worked Tonight
21:00 – When a Reliable Joke Completely Dies
22:00 – The Crowd Changes Everything
23:00 – Why a Bad Show Makes You Question Your Entire Life
24:00 – The Part Nobody Sees After the Show
25:00 – Performing for the Love of the Game
26:00 – Learning to Enjoy the Process Instead of the Outcome
27:00 – Until Next Time
Comments