The Stanford University Comedy Showcase

Years ago Stanford turned me down as a student, now I give them an opportunity to laugh at me. Most Tuesdays, Stanford's 750 Pub hosts a comedy showcase. Since it's right on campus, the audience is always students except for us comics.

The first time I performed there, I tried to appeal to the stereotype of intelligent, hard-working, straitjacketed students. I did ok, but nothing extraordinary. That was surprising because when I performed at the Rose and Crown in the same town, I rocked the house.

The second time I performed there, I had similar results, an ok show, but nothing to write home about.

Then I realized that I am trying to tailor my show to my stereotype of students. For the third show I did my regular stuff with plenty of R-rated stuff and it rocked.

Bottomline: Do not underestimate the hormones of 20-year olds.
Corollary: Similarly in a blue-collar bar, do not underestimate the intelligence of a drunk.