Q 01/05

In stand-up slang, what is a 'tight five'?

A) A drinks minimum for the audience

B) Several comics sharing a single bill

C) A polished short set of best material

D) A short pause before a punchline

Answer · why

C) A polished short set of best material

A polished short set of best material: a tight five is a five-minute routine honed until every line lands, the standard audition piece for bookers and...

Q 02/05

What does it mean when a comedian is 'bombing'?

A) Getting huge laughs

B) Failing to get laughs

C) Insulting the crowd

D) Running over time

Answer · why

B) Failing to get laughs

Failing to get laughs: comedy slang is violent in both directions, since a comic who is not bombing or dying up there is killing, crushing or destroyi...

Q 03/05

What is a 'callback' in a comedy set?

A) A heckler's reply from the back

B) A bit performed on a phone

C) The crowd's shout for an encore

D) A reference to an earlier joke

Answer · why

D) A reference to an earlier joke

A reference to an earlier joke: a callback works as an inside joke that the comic and the crowd have built together during the set. Keep repeating it ...

Q 04/05

In stand-up slang, what does getting 'the light' mean?

A) The set's time is nearly up

B) The spotlight has found the microphone

C) The joke was mild, not edgy

D) The show has sold out

Answer · why

A) The set's time is nearly up

The set's time is nearly up: the host flashes a light at the comic, usually with about a minute left, and the comic is expected to finish the joke and...

Q 05/05

In club slang, when does a comic perform the 'check spot'?

A) While the audience gets its bills

B) While the booker grades the acts

C) Right after the headliner finishes

D) Before the doors have opened

Answer · why

A) While the audience gets its bills

While the audience gets its bills: comics dread the check spot because the room stops listening the moment the checks land on the tables, and the joke...