Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out: Q&A on Comedy Advice and Handling Crying Babies at Shows

Episode: Q&A: Mike Answers Voicemails About Comedy Advice and Crying Babies at Shows
Release Date: March 10, 2025

In this engaging episode of Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out, host Mike Birbiglia dives into a series of listener-submitted questions, offering his seasoned insights on comedy, creative balance, and managing unexpected interruptions during performances. The episode, released on March 10, 2025, serves as a profound guide for both aspiring and established comedians navigating the intricate world of stand-up and long-form comedy.

Historical Inspirations and Advice for Newcomers

Question by Meredith Greenstein [00:01:11]:
Meredith inquires about Mike’s choice of a historical figure to invite to his show and seeks his top advice for budding comedians.

Mike’s Insights:
Mike expresses deep admiration for Charlie Chaplin, highlighting Chaplin's emotional depth and his ability to blend humor with profoundly human themes. He reflects on Chaplin’s work as a source of inspiration, emphasizing the importance of emotional connection in comedy.

“Charlie Chaplin... he was really trying to arrive at something extraordinarily human and something that captures what it means to be alive and the challenges of being alive.” [01:29]

When it comes to advice for aspiring comedians, Mike underscores the paramount importance of stage time. He recounts his early experiences of performing in unconventional venues, stressing that relentless practice on stage is crucial to overcoming fear and honing one’s craft.

“Stage time is, you know, just being on stage essentially, like, so much that you no longer have any fear or trepidation about being on stage is actually when one can break through.” [01:29]

Crafting Long-Form Comedy: Jokes vs. Stories

Question by Gareth Leake [00:05:11]:
Gareth asks whether Mike begins his long-form shows with jokes, leading to a story, or starts with a story and integrates jokes into it.

Mike’s Approach:
Mike explains that his process typically starts with jokes. He believes that humor is the primary vehicle through which his creative obsessions are expressed. By compiling a series of jokes, he tests material in various venues to gauge audience reactions. This iterative process helps him identify what resonates, allowing him to weave these elements into cohesive narratives.

“A lot of comedy is a Venn diagram of like the circle of what I think is funny and the circle of what the audience thinks is funny. And that middle area is sort of where the magic is.” [05:26]

He further elaborates on the importance of storytelling within comedy, noting that effective storytelling often relies on relatable examples that naturally lead from one story to the next.

“Good storytelling comes down to examples... having that story causally lead to the next story.” [05:26]

Balancing a Creative Life with a Day Job

Question by Ben from New Zealand [00:08:49]:
Ben inquires if it's possible to maintain a creative life while holding a regular job without feeling unfulfilled.

Mike’s Perspective:
Mike believes that balancing a day job with creative pursuits is not only possible but can also be fulfilling. He references an episode featuring Elizabeth Gilbert, emphasizing that creative activities like writing can be rewarding in themselves, even if pursued part-time.

“If you have an hour in your day to spend writing, I think that that can be the end in itself, at least in my experience.” [09:28]

He shares personal anecdotes from his early career, working at W Magazine while nurturing his passion for writing and performing. Mike highlights the satisfaction derived from incremental progress in both realms, suggesting that dedicating specific time to creative endeavors can mitigate feelings of sadness or distraction.

Imagining a Comedy Czar: Structural Changes in Stand-Up Comedy

Question by Adam Kanter [00:15:24]:
Adam poses a hypothetical scenario: if Mike were appointed a comedy czar, what structural or systemic changes would he implement in the stand-up comedy industry?

Mike’s Response:
Mike interprets the role of a comedy czar as a means to foster authenticity and personal connection in comedy. He advocates for comedians to embrace their individuality and deepen their connection with audiences by being more personal and honest in their material.

“If you feel like you're being too personal, be more personal. That's just the kind of comedy that I really like.” [15:24]

He emphasizes the importance of maintaining the core purpose of comedy—making people laugh—while also exploring meaningful and sometimes uncomfortable topics. Mike believes that ensuring comedians retain their unique voices and emotional honesty is crucial for the integrity of the art form.

“The whole entire art form is one person speaking to one or more people in an audience. And that's a beautiful thing.” [15:24]

Navigating Audience Interruptions: The Case of Crying Babies

Follow-up Question by Adam Kanter [00:15:24]:
Adam asks about handling real-time disruptions during a performance, specifically relating to a crying baby interrupting a poignant moment.

Mike’s Experience and Strategies:
Mike recounts an incident where a crying baby disrupted his show, sharing his approach to managing such interruptions with grace and humor. He discusses the delicate balance between addressing the disruption and maintaining the flow of his performance.

“You want to be respectful of the person who brought the baby, but also simultaneously want to be respectful of the audience that wanted to come to a show that wouldn't have sound interruptions.” [16:15]

Reflecting on a previous show in Madison, Wisconsin, Mike admits that his attempts to humorously handle the situation occasionally crossed into being too pointed, leading to mixed reactions from the audience. He underscores the importance of remaining considerate toward all parties involved while striving to preserve the integrity of the performance.

“If you're a performer, this does happen. And you do have to try to be respectful of all the parties, but one of the parties is the audience.” [16:15]

Reflecting on Personal Experiences and Success

Question by Jessica Stepman [00:24:25]:
Jessica asks if Mike recalls an incident during the "Sleepwalk With Me" show where someone fainted and inquires about his moment of realizing his success.

Mike’s Reflections:
Mike acknowledges the incident, explaining that such events are not uncommon in live performances. He shares his emotional journey, highlighting "Sleepwalk With Me" as a pivotal moment that solidified his sense of accomplishment and artistic vision.

“That show was 2008, 2009, Sleepwalk with Me in New York City. And so, yes, yes and no, I remember, but I also don't remember.” [24:46]

He elaborates on how "Sleepwalk With Me" represented the convergence of his comedic and storytelling ambitions, marking his transition into a form of performance that blends humor with narrative depth. This realization of his unique artistic expression is what Mike identifies as his true measure of success.

“I can actually do this thing that is an expression of what artistically I want to be in the world.” [25:14]

Handling Heavy Topics and Emotional Storytelling

Question by Josh Spiro [00:28:17]:
Josh seeks advice on writing comedy about his parents' divorce, particularly on engaging the audience and managing emotions towards the characters involved.

Mike’s Guidance:
Mike offers a nuanced approach to integrating dark themes into comedy. He emphasizes the importance of establishing a humorous entry point to allow the audience to feel comfortable with the subject matter.

“A lot of my shows attempt to do... what's a single event that I could build that feeling or that joke premise around.” [28:48]

He also advises on character portrayal, suggesting that comedians strive to humanize their subjects by highlighting both their flaws and endearing qualities. This balanced depiction helps in mitigating resentment and fosters a more empathetic connection with the audience.

“Think about the best and worst part of that person who you're trying to characterize.” [28:48]

Dealing with Jealousy in the Comedy Scene

Follow-up Question by Adam Kanter [00:33:03]:
Adam inquires about Mike’s experiences with jealousy concerning opportunities and attention within the competitive field of comedy.

Mike’s Insights:
Mike candidly discusses his encounters with jealousy, both personally and observed in others. He references his film "Don't Think Twice," which explores the dynamics of envy among friends when one achieves sudden success.

“What happens in someone else's career just has nothing to do with you.” [33:10]

He reflects on the unpredictable nature of success in the entertainment industry, noting that opportunities often arise unpredictably and are not always a direct reflection of individual efforts or talents. Mike underscores the futility of jealousy, advocating for a mindset that appreciates diverse paths to success.

“Jealousy is pointless because... the old expression is like, it's not over till it's over.” [33:10]

Conclusion

In this episode, Mike Birbiglia provides a candid and thoughtful exploration of the complexities of comedy creation, the balance between personal life and creative pursuits, and the challenges of maintaining authenticity amidst industry pressures. His experiences and advice offer invaluable lessons for anyone seeking to navigate the multifaceted world of stand-up and long-form comedy.

For listeners looking to delve deeper into Mike’s perspectives or to get involved with future episodes, details are available on his mailing list and via the contact email provided for submitting audio questions.

Note: Advertisements and non-content sections from the original transcript have been intentionally omitted to focus solely on the substantive discussions and insights shared during the episode.