The Show Must Go Wrong

What happens when a bad opener makes a show go completely off the rails?In this episode of The Show Must Go Wrong, I'm joined by comedian Nya Yeanafehn to talk about bombing, bad openers, and the differences between American and European comedy audiences.We discuss how one poorly chosen opener can derail an entire show, whether Germans are really harder to make laugh, and how comedians process bad sets. Nya also shares stories from the early days of performing comedy in New York and reflects on the challenges and opportunities that helped shape her career.From horrible early shows to unexpected career breaks, this episode is a behind-the-scenes look at building a comedy career while learning how to handle failure, growth, and audience expectations.If you're into stand-up comedy, touring stories, and the realities of life on stage, this episode is for you.—⏱️ Chapters:0:00 Introducing Nya Yeanafehn1:30 Not vetting your openers, and how a bad opener can make a show go wrong7:52 US vs European Audiences, and can you make Germans laugh15:24 Processing Bombs, how comedy is different in Europe, and the importance of audience size26:30 Horrible shows starting out in NY34:30 Unexpected Career Breaks & Creative Process41:25 The importance of goals & taking care of yourself50:06 Outro

What does it take to quit your day job and go all-in on stand-up comedy?In this episode of The Show Must Go Wrong, I'm joined by comedian Rogier Bak to talk about getting started in stand-up, surviving the difficult early years, and making the leap to full-time comedy.We discuss bombing in front of people you care about, building a first hour of material, and the challenges that come with pursuing comedy professionally. Rogier also shares stories about some of his worst early shows, a special recording that didn't go according to plan, and the moments throughout his career that felt like he was finally making it.From bad gigs to career milestones, this episode is a behind-the-scenes look at the realities of building a life in comedy.If you're into stand-up comedy, touring stories, and the ups and downs of life on stage, this episode is for you.—⏱️ Chapters:0:00 Introducing Rogier Bak2:32 Whats the deal with Bratislava15:56 How Rogier Bak got his start in standup22:01 The worst shows of the early years, and bombing for loved ones29:45 Quitting your day job, going full time in comedy, and building your 1st hour45:23 A special recording gone wrong54:05 Moments that felt like making it, and being critical of your own work1:03:40 Outro

What’s the difference between a bad dance show and a bad comedy show?In this episode of The Show Must Go Wrong, I’m joined by Berlin-based comedian Žana Fejzić, who tours Europe performing stand-up comedy entirely independently and previously toured professionally as a belly dancer.We talk about bombing in very different art forms, performing comedy across languages and cultures, and how audiences change depending on where you are in the world. Žana also shares stories from bad comedy shows, awkward open mic experiences in Florida, and how performing helped her reconnect with her roots.From specialty comedy shows to self-producing a career across Europe, this episode is a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build your own path in comedy.If you’re into stand-up comedy, international touring, and stories from life on stage, this episode is for you.—⏱️ Chapters:0:00 Introducing Zana & her last bad show in a BBQ restaurant07:58 What makes a bad show?14:34 Differences between bad dance shows & bad comedy shows25:48 Zana's experience at a open mic in Florida32:00 Comedy in different languages & across cultures38:19 Connecting with your roots through your audience53:48 Career goals & Zana's dating show59:49 Outro

What’s the difference between North American and European comedy audiences—and what happens when corporate improv gigs go horribly wrong?In this episode of The Show Must Go Wrong, I’m joined by comedian Dan Belkin, who grew up in Canada, started in improv, and now tours all over Europe doing stand-up comedy.We talk about the differences between North American and European crowds, throwing people out of shows, and the brutal early years of comedy. Dan also shares stories from corporate improv gigs, bombing in front of his girlfriend, and what it’s like when your parents come watch your stand-up.From bad crowds to life on the road, this episode is a behind-the-scenes look at the realities of building a comedy career internationally.If you’re into stand-up comedy, touring stories, and comedy behind the scenes, this episode is for you.—🎟 Go see Dan live! Grab tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/dan-belkin-comedy-41836700153Follow & find more Dan Belkin here: https://www.instagram.com/danbelkincomedy/https://www.youtube.com/@danielbelkincomedy/videos https://www.tiktok.com/@danbelkincomedy 🌍 Come see your host Pat Moore live & request a show in your city:https://linktr.ee/patmoorecomedybit.ly/PatMooreLiveShowAlarmFollow & find more of Pat here: https://www.instagram.com/patmoorecomedy/ https://www.youtube.com/@PatMooreComedy ⏱️ Chapters:0:00 Introducing Dan Belkin2:21 North American Comedy vs European Comedy & Audiences8:25 Throwing people out on stage/bad crowds18:24 Horrible early years of comedy & corporate improv stories30:10 Bombing in front of your girlfriend35:42 Parents coming to standup shows44:15 Making it, big & small dreams, and dealing with life on the road56:37 Outro

What does it take to build a stand-up comedy career independently in Europe?In this episode of The Show Must Go Wrong, I’m joined by Romanian comedian Dragos to talk about tough crowds, touring Europe, and building an audience from the ground up.We get into performing crowd work in Romanian, shared Eastern European experiences, and how Dragos approached comedy early on with a clear plan for success. We also talk about balancing producing and writing, building an hour of material, and the realities of touring independently across Europe.From Flixbus horror stories to terrible venues, bad shows, and the early grind of stand-up comedy, this is a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to make comedy work outside the traditional industry system.We also get into social media, crowd work clips, and how comedians are building audiences online today.If you’re into stand-up comedy, touring stories, and comedy behind the scenes, this episode is for you.—🎟 Go see Dragos live! Grab tickets here: https://dragoscomedy.com/Follow & find more Dragos here: https://www.instagram.com/dragoscomedyhttps://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@DragosComedy⁩  https://www.tiktok.com/@dragoscomedy 🌍 Come see your host Pat Moore live & request a show in your city:https://linktr.ee/patmoorecomedybit.ly/PatMooreLiveShowAlarmFollow & find more of Pat here: https://www.instagram.com/patmoorecomedyhttps://www.youtube.com/@PatMooreComedy —⏱️ Chapters:0:00 Introducing Dragos2:37 Bad shows & staying Independent10:01 Tough crowds, crowd work in Romanian, and shared eastern european experience19:05 How Dragos started comedy & his plan for success32:50 Balancing producing & writing, and building an hour37:01 Dragos 1st tour, and flixbus horror stories44:05 Early workload, worst venues, and bad shows51:46 Finding venues & raw dogging early career59:24 Starting tiktok, social media, and crowd work clips1:00:09 Looking forward & Outro

What does it really take to survive in stand-up comedy?In this episode of The Show Must Go Wrong, I’m joined by comedian Tamer Kattan to talk about hecklers, life on the road, and the philosophy behind stand-up.We get into whether comedy is a blue collar art form, how comics deal with difficult audiences, and what performers actually learn from open mics. Tamer also shares insights from winning The World Series of Comedy, finding inspiration while touring, and the difference between good nervous energy and bad nervous energy on stage.From crowd work to comedy mindset, this is a behind-the-scenes look at life as a working comedian.If you’re into stand-up comedy, comedy philosophy, and stories from life on stage, this episode is for you.—🌐 Tamer Kattan:🌐 Pat Moore:📱 Follow:—⏱️ Chapters:0:00 Introducing Tamer Kattan1:24 Is comedy a blue collar art form?7:12 Dealing with hecklers11:27 The purpose of an open mic & the pitfalls of hosting20:47 Winning The World Series Of Comedy24:10 Audiences are like surfing27:42 Life on the road & finding inspiration38:05 Entitlement, mountain tops, and why to do comedy47:13 Good nervous vs. bad nervous58:32 Outro

What happens when you perform comedy all over the world—and things don’t go to plan?In this episode of The Show Must Go Wrong, I’m joined by Australian comedian Elena Gabrielle, who shares stories from performing across Europe, the UK, and beyond.We talk about bad gigs, horrendous Edinburgh Fringe experiences, and what it’s like performing for different audiences around the world. Elena also opens up about grief while performing, mental health on tour, and what it takes to build a career as an independent comedian.From wild shows in Jamaica to navigating comedy scenes in different countries, this is what really happens behind the scenes of stand-up and live performance.If you’re into stand-up comedy, international touring, and behind-the-scenes stories, this episode is for you.—🎟 Go see Elena live! Grab tickets here: https://www.elenagabrielle.com/Follow & find more of Elena here: https://www.instagram.com/elenagabrielle/https://www.youtube.com/elenagabriellehttps://www.tiktok.com/@realelenagabrielle🌍 Come see your host Pat Moore live & request a show in your city:https://linktr.ee/patmoorecomedybit.ly/PatMooreLiveShowAlarmFollow & find more of Pat here: https://www.instagram.com/patmoorecomedy/https://www.youtube.com/@UC527D1IarywmoI5GYT74JoA —⏱️ Chapters:0:00 Introducing Elena Gabrielle01:43 Performing for your own audience & Bad Shows4:17 Grief while performing & mental health07:33 How UK, European, and American audiences differ11:39 Differences between standup & cabaret,17:48 Horrendous Stories From Edinburgh Fringe,22:05 Being an entrepreneurial Artist,27:23 Staring comedy & moving to Berlin,32:05 Wild show in Jamaica & the worst country to perform in,40:08 Maintaining your mental health on tour & going solo,49:29 How to approach social media & comedy in India53:31 what is making it59:22 Outro

Do bad gigs ever stop—even after 20+ years in comedy?In this episode of The Show Must Go Wrong, I’m joined by American comedian Andy Haynes, who stopped by in Berlin during his European tour to talk about bombing on stage, bad shows, and what actually gets harder (and easier) over time in stand-up.We talk about political comedy, opening for famous friends, finding your voice, and the reality of building a long-term career in comedy. Andy also shares some of his worst gig memories, including getting heckled by the Tea Party.If you’re into stand-up comedy, behind-the-scenes stories, and life on the road, this episode is for you.—🎟 Go see Andy live! Grab tickets here: https://www.imandyhaynes.com/Follow & find more of Andy here: https://www.instagram.com/imandyhaynes/https://punchup.live/andyhayneshttps://www.youtube.com/@andyhaynes🌍 Come see your host Pat Moore live & request a show in your city:https://linktr.ee/patmoorecomedybit.ly/PatMooreLiveShowAlarmFollow & find more of Pat here: https://www.instagram.com/patmoorecomedy/https://www.youtube.com/@UC527D1IarywmoI5GYT74JoA —⏱️ Chapters:0:00 Introducing Andy Haynes03:43 Bad Shows 21 Years Into Comedy?06:53 Political Comedy, Missed Opportunities, and what hurts about a bad set10:09 Opening/Featuring For Famous Friends with different audiences & The Political Spectrum21:31 Finding Your Voice, and Andys Start in Comedy27:32 Working in a structureless career & when to turn over material34:25 Filming Comedy Central Presents On Edibles & "Making It"43:46 Comedy in the internet age52:42 Finding Your Audience & unwritten comedy rules57:43 Worst Gig Memories & Getting Heckled by the Tea Party

Why do stand-up shows go completely off the rails—and why do comedians keep coming back for more?In the first episode of The Show Must Go Wrong, comedian Dave Adams shares stories of bombing on stage, chaotic gigs, and the strange overlap between music and stand-up comedy.We talk about:– The last bad gig that sticks with you– Starting stand-up and finding flow on stage– The difference between bombing in music vs comedy– Wedding band horror stories– Touring, corporate gigs, and nightmare audiences– A true comedy gig from hell– Managing expectations as a performerThis is a podcast about what really happens in live performance—the awkward silences, drunk crowds, and the gigs you wish you could forget.If you like stand-up comedy, behind-the-scenes stories, or life as a performer, this is for you.New episodes every Monday.