Whether you’re brand-new to stand-up or a veteran, every comedian faces the risk of a joke falling flat. In fact, we dare say that it’s something that will happen to every comedian that’s been in the game long enough. Sometimes it’s one line. Sometimes it’s a whole set. The good news? Bombing doesn’t have to be a death sentence. It can be an art form. Something easily survivable if you’ve got the right tools.
Welcome to your survival guide for when the laughs don’t come.
Do: How to Master the Art of the Graceful Bomb
1. Pause First. Then Wait Even Longer.
If you’re confident in a joke that usually lands, hold that space. Let the audience catch up. Especially in rowdy, late-night shows or with crowds unfamiliar with your references, that extra beat can make all the difference. Fair warning: that beat will feel like ten minutes on stage. Embrace the awkward.
2. Acknowledge the Silence with Confidence.
Self-awareness can save a set. A line like, “Cool, never saying that one again, ” or “You’re right. Not funny, ” can disarm the audience and get them laughing with you. It’s the element of surprise! But use this trick sparingly. One save line, maybe two. We don’t want it to sound like a confession.
3. Switch It Up.
If multiple jokes on a single theme (say, “dating is hard”) are bombing, it’s time to make a switch. Move on to something else! That could be your childhood, your weird job, that time you accidentally joined a cult. Be ready with more material than you plan to use. Read the room and change gears.
4. Make It About Them.
Still not getting traction? Shift into crowd work. Talk to the audience. Make them the show for a beat or two. Then slowly redirect the energy back to your material.
5. Stick the Landing.
Even if most of your set fell flat, a strong closer can change everything. Save your most reliable joke for the end so that you can leave them on a laugh and walk away with your head held high.
Don’t: How to Avoid Digging the Hole Deeper
1. Don’t Turn on the Audience.
Even if they’re cold, drunk, or weirdly obsessed with staring at their phones, most times it’s not personal, and lashing out will only make things worse. Save the “they were the worst” rant for your friends later, and do all you can to try and reengage them while you’ve got them.
2. Don’t Panic.
Sometimes, you’ll be the only one who notices a joke didn’t land. Keep your cool. Keep smiling. Keep talking. Confidence is magnetic, and at the end of the day, it’s easier to make people laugh that you have some sort of connection with. Even if it’s silent, keep your cool!
3. Don’t Go Full Auctioneer.
Speeding up is a dead giveaway that you’re spiraling. Slow down. Breathe. Sure, silence is awkward, yes—but it’s not the end of the world!
4. Don’t Beat a Dead Punchline.
If a joke keeps bombing across different crowds, it’s time to retire or rework it. That late-night open mic with three comics and a bartender doesn’t count. From a 30-person crowd to a 300-person crowd? The silence is data and can be used to rewrite or rework your sets so that you go into the next one with a new/fresh perspective.
Final Thoughts: You’re Not Alone
Bombing happens to everyone. From absolute beginners to comedy legends, every comic has had nights where the audience just didn’t connect. The key isn’t avoiding it—it’s learning to do it with grace, recover quickly, and walk off the stage with a better understanding of what makes jokes stick.
Additional Classes by Brooklyn Comedy Collective