Diane Spencer: Dealing with Hecklers your own way
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- čas přidán 8. 04. 2024
- Diane Spencer stand-up comedian gives details on her own unique techniques for dealing with hecklers.
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Written and performed by Diane Spencer, all graphics, made by her, unless credited photo. Music and sounds effects courtesy of CZcams Audio Library. Produced April 2024. - Komedie
Hey my good friend. I had a checkup today. I'm still clear. I still watch your material and laugh like a mad man. I bet hecklers don't bather you as much. THis is great. Pure genus.
"Thanks Dad" KILLED ME!!!!
Ah you found it!!! LOL!! Maybe I should skim read all the comments before replying! Yeah, still here :)
@@DianeSpencercomedian damn right I found it lol. No worries, luckily you have a lot of comments! That’ll keep you busy and engaged 💪🏻
I do not understand why you are not bigger here in America? You are brilliant! Cheers!
I'm not in America!! But it would be fabulous to come
Please Diane Come to America! I've missed your content and now I'm going to go watch one, thank you.
Hi Thorlocks! Honestly my dear, it is on the list... just have to work out how to make it happen, in between other things I guess. Writing and touring a new show now, so at least I will have something nice for this lovely platform soon :)
The "Help I'm pissing razor blades" translation got me, LMAO
Sounded a bit like a heavily medicated Englishman.
LOL!
I saw Alexei Sayle back in the 80s getting so many laughs from putting down a drunk heckler that he eventually had to make the disclaimer "I promise you he's not a plant - some kind of vegetable, but not a plant."
Ah *chefs kiss* thank you for sharing that - love it :D
You mean Mr Balowski? He always sounded so sophisticated to me.
@@C64SX He did do a very good Glenn Miller impersonation as well.
Good one
😊All the love for you Diane❣️
Ah you are so kind, thank you - love right back
One of the most underrated comics ever...Damn ur so hilarious one of the best stand up comics around...I can so related to you and hecklers as I'm a musician singer and performer and boy oh boy I dont love to waste a good laugh of a heckler on the spur of the moment 😎🤟🤟🙌🙌 keep kicking ass Diane
Thank you 🙏😊 Musicians tend to be extremely quick witted. Heckle one at your peril! 😁
Thank you for making these videos! it's great to see "behind the scenes" on what it's like in stand up!
You're most welcome, I'm very happy you enjoy them :)
That cupboard joke was cold 👏
I tell you something, she was quite smug and rude up until that point, and then her work colleagues seem delighted. I'm just the conduit for a good time!
Pissing razor blades! lol I loved it. Much love from Tampa!!!
Hi Mike! Lovely to hear from you. Yeah, I mean thank goodness the Pharmacist spoke English lol
Hello Diane. You are one of the most underrated comedians working today. You are so good, that most don't see your dedication and professional approach to your craft. Have watched all your shows, and literally hurt myself laughing at your material. I wish I found out about you while you were in Australia/NZ, I would have loved to have seen you live. Sadly, this must wait a little longer.
Keep writing, performing and making us laugh.
Thank you for your hard work and laughs when I really needed them. God bless you and your family.
Hi Jonathon, thank you so much for your lovely and considered comment. I am delighted you found my comedy at the right moment and it worked! Magic of our blessed and wonderful universe :) Well, there is nothing (aside from the odd plane ticket!) stopping me from coming back to NZ/Aus one day. Have a lovely day and God bless you and your loved ones x
Next time you come to Belgium, I promise you a heck of a heckle ❣
Haha! I would love to visit Belgium, I've never been.
I love your attitude. It's necessary especially in these days.
Thank you so much Mike. I'm a big fan of joy, delight and togetherness.
I love you Diane. I wish that you lived in California and that you were one of my mates. Your inner world is amazing. 👍
The badger himself!! Hello love! I hope to visit one day and we will have cocktails after the show
Excellent !!!
Hello 111! I recognise that number! Thank you :)
@@DianeSpencercomedian Happy thoughts !!!
Just saw Brad Upton dealing with a loud table a couple of weeks ago at our local comedy club right next to the stage. He started out very polite but the second time he was pretty direct. The bouncer showed up right behind there at that point. They got the point.
We love you Diane. Isn't that an Italian bread ? Ax
Diane? There's an Italian bread called a Diane?! Love you back
Some fascinating insights, thank you! And I love the little video editing bits!
Thanks Dan! I love making the little video bits! Can get mildy obsessing with artwork :D
Great advice with examples.
Thank you Ethan - glad you enjoyed it :)
🌹🌹🌹 She has such a lovely soul
The kindest profanity possible
Hi Jay! Thank you for your lovely comment
Heckler management is such a fascinating and under appreciated aspect of stand-up. Lovely and informative video!
Thank you so much Fred F
You’re just so good!!!…….🇬🇧🇺🇸
Thank you Alan
@@DianeSpencercomedian The Good Lord must have given you plenty!
Thanks for the reply, you made my day!!!🫂🇬🇧🇺🇸
Ms. Spencer is impressively smart. Performing stand-up comedy has got to be, I imagine, one of the most challenging human endeavors. You are out there on stage, and you are going to try to entertain people by telling stories. Not for the faint of heart, so kudos to anyone who makes a career of it. More difficult even than being a musician, since (a) you can't rely on playing some covers (but why is that? why can't a comic say, "and now, here's a good bit originally by ___"), and (b) it is almost always a solo thing, as opposed to being in a band (again, why is that?). So you have to have a lot of brain power and a lot of confidence -- and it is apparent that Ms. Spencer has both. Very impressive.
Gosh what a lovely comment to read. Thank you very much. Everyone has their skills, I'm deeply fortunate to have been able to hone my craft. I really appreciate your support, thank you!
The hole puncher joke! LOL
Hey mate!
The Undertaker method of dealing with hecklers (circa 2001);
Crowd: WHAT?
Undertaker: Say that again if you sleep with your sister.
Crowd: WHA...
lol! There are lots of classics that run round the circuit.
Thank s dad is the best ever.
:D
Love your content ❤❤❤.
Thank you very much Wayne :)
Where have you been ?? Glad you are back !! Whoop Whoop
Hi Carl Terry! Oh life etc :) Happy to be back tho
I won't heckle because I've seen it ruin too many shows. And I'd be (have been) an absolute deer in the headlights if the comedian started a conversation with me (although to be fair that tends to happen without comedians and stages too). But also more often than not the heckle ends up as a challenge (this is why I tend to dislike comedy clubs and prefer WIPs or Fringe shows) and the atmosphere always ends up feeling a bit odd afterwards. I have _enormous_ respect for comedians who do handle hecklers well, and (as ever) I am fascinated by your behind-the-scenes/inside baseball/whatever-you-want-to-call-it videos about the mechanics of being a working comedian. These are brilliant.
Oo! I'm recording my new show in Sept if you're about :) Heckles can feel like a challenge, I had one last night from a dude in a stag do who clearly didn't like the fact he wasn't getting any more of the limelight! Yeah, I cringe intensely at combat, and it's why I struggle when watching people argue! Thank you so much for watching and commenting
I love these likkle shorty thingies, bravo
Thank you! I appreciate you wrote that - I like them too, they're something a bit different.
And you do very well ginger ! Thank you Diane ❤
Lol! Thanks Jim!
I really like your approach to hecklers, because it seems like it just keeps the flow going. And I do understand it must takes a lot of experience to reach a point where you "just" go with flow of when burdened with a difficult audience member.
And many laughs where had from this Dane when you tried to pronounce "blærebetændelse". Danish is certainly not for the faint of heart foreigner 😂.
Thanks Lui! I'm glad my horrendous Danish could give you a chuckle! Yeah, I'm more interested in making the show flow smoothly.
Do you remember sitting at a roulette table in Melbourne and making a crossword of crass words on the scorecard? Codswallop is permanently seared into my memory.
I DO remember sitting at a roulette table! Were you the nice person working at the casino who made me feel like Melbourne wasn't 100% terrible for me?! I had such a bad time, but I remember someone at the casino was nice.
@@DianeSpencercomedian the casino was a crushing place to work, and funny people sitting at your table can really make your day. I’m sorry you had a bad time in Melbourne. I hope it treats you better if you’re ever back.
Being funny and telling jokes, anyone can do that. Many people can do that in front of an audience too.
But to deal with hecklers: that's a superpower only good comedians have. I'm glad you are one of them 🥰
Hi Patavalttia! I hope you're well. I'm glad to say most people develop the instinct as they go along. Hecklers often think they are doing something new, not realising the comic has possibly heard the same thing before! Perspectives eh? ;) Have a good one my dear :)
@@DianeSpencercomedian No Edinburgh Fringe for you this year, love?
No sadly. I was going to attend, but I couldn't get a flat. The law in Scotland has changed, so the flat I had last year, without a single change to it, has gone up by exactly £1,000. This means I've gone from possibly breaking even to definitely losing a grand... before I even turn up. The accommodation is the biggest expense now.
@@DianeSpencercomedian Edinburgh Greed 2024
❤❤❤❤
Thank you 💕
@@DianeSpencercomedian Your very welcome
While I understand that this was recorded in December, having done 15 years of stagecrew for The Nutcracker, the Waltz of the Flowers and Sugar Plum music is giving me PTSD.
Thanks for the behind the scenes and how your process works Diane. Always fun to watch you work.
Wow!! People interrupting the ballet is insane to me.. I mean comedy is rough and ready, but the machinations involved for a piece of living art like that, and then some dolt sits there eating crisps yelling into their mobile phone... oh my...
@@DianeSpencercomedian no, no, no, sorry. Our audiences were fine for the most part and enthusiastic when needed. Although we did get some with flash photography thinking they'd get the shot a couple of times. PTSD from the music and knowing that the big final transition is coming. Everybody ready? Did I forget anything? Fog's good, tree prepped to fly in, castle out ready, everybody knows their spot... We're almost there... At least the show is almost over and then I can sleep. We did two shows on Saturdays and that was a long day.
Oh I SEE!! PTSD from praying all the technical bits do their damn job :D I hear you.
Now I kind of want to see you manage a heckler irl 😜😘❤️
You saw it! I think three/four times in that video XD
@@DianeSpencercomedian at the Backyard Comedy Club? There were hecklers? If so, you must have slid over them very smoothly, I have not registered any disturbances of your show, in my mind it went perfectly...
Jesus that's complicated - trying to perform your material and managing a crowd at the same time. Anyway glad to see updates from you from time to time - still following you after some 5 years I believe even though I've never seen you live. Good luck for your next shows and happy Christmas to you as well hehe
Ah you get it Olivari! You can see the confusion it causes in my mind. Thank you so much for still being here after 5 years!! I appreciate you being with me on this journey. I am making a new show now, would a video update be a better way to communicate this do you think? Have a good one and Merry Christmas ;) x
@@DianeSpencercomedian Thanks for replying :) Yes a video update once in a while, even just to say what you're up to, would be great. Good luck for the new show and happy writing!
Heckler… and Cook!
Oh yes my friend... and BBQ season is upon us!
damn god boss move to show how boss you god damn are
LOL! Thank you!
I was guilty of heckling many decades ago. I was sitting front row center and the featured comic was doing his set. He let off a dumb joke, and I said "next!" which set him off and going on about "Oh, you're the king commanding your jesters" whatever. He was balding and as he was slagging me, I ran my hand back over my head and said: "At least I still have my hair!" Anyway, I can't remember exactly how that ended. Regardless, the headliner was Judy Tenuta. She came out chewing gum. Now the stage was small and just a few steps up from the audience. She immediately spit her gum out in front of me. I reached down, picked it up and pretended to put it in my mouth. She freaked. As I remember, it defused the situation. I stuck the gum on the venue's promotional card of scheduled comics and kept in a plastic bag. I still have it. Other than that time, I don't heckled. I love getting front row center to this day. I will try to give as good as get if a comic is doing crowd work and wants to poke fun. I'd like your take on that. What latitude does an audience member have who receives unprovoked teasing from a comic?
Hi Alex! Ha! Well in the first instance you were definitely the instigator there XD Also, it would be interesting to see whether other people found the comedian funny, and you were in the minority when you interrupted the show. In answer to your question about "giving as good you get", crowd work is specifically utilised to relax the audience (ironic considering most people sat in the front row are tense!). My belief is that the notion of it is to create the feel of a conversation, so the crowd feel recognised, and as though they are interacting with the night, and not just passive observers. Comedians try to make a joke out of this conversation (as that is our job!) and then once the conversation is passed they weave their material into it. So back to your question, what latitude does an audience member have - exactly as much as the comic - if the comedian instigated the chat. Of course you have a right to reply to the question asked, as long as then the audience member doesn't try to hijack the show. Thinking that every comic who does crowd work is looking to "tease" people, which for me has connotations of bullying, is inaccurate. Some comics, like my dear self, are genuinely curious about the lovely people sat there and hoping they have a good night. Hope that response was satisfying! :)
There's been a few times at such things I've shouted out (while drunk). I thought I was joining in. I thought that was what you ppl wanted! Now I feel bad.
It's okay! I mean, if the comic yelled out a question, or said "hey who remembers [insert nostalgic reference]" then perhaps you were helping. The phrase "you people" made me laugh!! It all depends on the context really. Most of the time, comedians like a bit of interaction, it's just when people try to sink the ship it becomes a problem. If you're joining in, perhaps it's not so bad.
interesting. thx for sharing
You're welcome - thank you for watching
I was gonna angrily comment "Why has it been 2 years since last video?"... :D
Oh, why angry?
@@DianeSpencercomedian I was upset as I thought you had stopped posting videos 2 years ago. Of course as I focused my vision I noticed it was 2 months, not years. Your shows are great by the way!
Confession: I had to play this through several times because your luscious hair and lovely face just mesmerize me and I loose attentiveness. In the good way, not the anemic p rn way. Wishing you a busy and productive Summer. Well,,,,,,,,, all seasons, really.
Hi Jay! Lovely to hear from you my dear. Ah thank you! I had a good make-up day, other times I look like a taxidermied raccoon, but stick a tiara on me, and I'm ready for the day XD
@@DianeSpencercomedian 👸
Hey! How are you doing? You won't believe what my crazy ass has done. My right leg was hurting pretty bad for a couple days so I made a doctor's appointment. On my way to my appointment I tore a ligament in my knee. At the doctor I learned I had broken my knee. I'm just starting to get around again. I'm my own self destruction. Lol. Well, I'm good. You just keep being excellent as usual.
Hi Randall, OUCH, I'm sorry to hear about your knee!! Be gentle with yourself please. Have you tried yoga?
@DianeSpencercomedian I have a hard time sitting still sometimes. At 68 you'd think I would slow down. When I have those thoughts I hear a verse in an old song. If you never slow then you never grow old. Lol. I promise I'll learn one day. I'll slow down a bit then it's like someone flipped a switch and off I go.
I have a hard time sitting still too!
I've been on a British mystery and horror book reading binge and I know what Ms. Di means by "pissed"!! She means getting drunk. Btw, in the States, pissed means getting angry. I don't know why I was so excited to share that, but there ya go. 🤷♂😁 (*update* I watched more of the vid and Di is using "pissed" to mean angry and I'm ashamed) 🤦♂
I love cross culture words that warp. Sat here on my fanny, not needing to smoke a fag, I might load up the boot of the car later, and go for a drive on the left. 🥳☀️
@@DianeSpencercomedian 😂
I would too
I would three!
@@DianeSpencercomedian three works for me.
LOL!
I would never heckle you Mrs. Spencer. Your husband on the other hand...
Noooooo!!! He IS one of those "RAH" comedians... terrifying! XD
It was funny to misread "you're flexible with your list" as, eh, something like "you're flexible with your wrist", in context. I do apologize...
Hahahaha!! Maybe that would help with the back pocket issue...
You're so beautiful, I love your comedy.
That's so nice, thank you! I am delighted
Hye.. frommalaysia
Hi from UK!
@@DianeSpencercomedian do u have experience live in boarding school?
@@ifwatchannel6953 No I don't. What an interesting and surprising question!
Luckily as an author, I am not present when people shout out about my work. Although my Mum did complain rather bitterly to me about the coprophiliac love scene I wrote just for her! Yes, I am a terrible daughter, but a much better step mum! 🤣
Oh my word...!!!! I love the idea of people yelling their heckles at books! to be fair... I am guilty of heckling my audiobooks in my car :)
Hello sweetie 😻 been missing you here on YT ❤ did you know that Pornhubs head office is here in Montreal Canada 😽
This was an interesting insight clip of your on stage work , I'd watch more of them if you were to post it . Your hair looks fabulous
in this one !! Do you have another full sized show that you're working on at the moment ? ( something to look forward to ? ) .
❤ from Canada 😻😸😺
YES I DO! Perhaps I should put an update on the next video. Is that how you get your information on my goings on? Thank you for coming back here as I do :)
@@DianeSpencercomedian / Hi Diane 😻 , yes I only get to see you and catch up with you here on You Tube , I just don't have any interest in all the other social media "stuff" that all the young folks are into ( I'm closer to your Dads age than I am to yours ) thanks for keeping an eye out for me ❤❤❤🌹🌺🥀🙏😸😺
Magic! Okay my dear, I will make more of an effort to keep everyone updated :) Thank you for being here xx
@@DianeSpencercomedian / 😻😘😘🥰😻😸
You handled that much better than Michael Richards.
Oo, interesting... I will have to look this up, thank you.
You can't say shnavasnanasana!😆
I couldn't believe it... just got so used to purposefully mispronouncing it, I think I've ruined my mouth coordination!
The people think they're funnier than the comedian....
Sounds about right.
Yes, it happens more often than you think. The other thing I find quite common, is people believing they can do sarcasm and they really can't! Shocking how delulu people can be!
I’m obviously odd. Hecklers annoy me. If I pay a lot of money to see a show, that’s what I want to enjoy.
Why anyone would want to interrupt you I can’t imagine.
You are not odd at all! I would say 100% of comedians who have material and are not crowd work specialists agree with you. Also, I am drinking my coffee as I saw yours!
12:11 Shove-a(r)se-un-uh. _Shavasana._ simple as that
Shove arse... you really want me to go with that?! I mean it's memorable... XD
@@DianeSpencercomedian well I thought if I made it funny you'd be able to remember it better.... Plus, that's actually what the correct pronunciation sounds like...
I gotta say I'm not convinced about the couple who were talking. I think it matters how loud they were being. I guess, front row, yeah, that's kinda stupid.
But I'm thinking back to when I was in college. I had kind of a reputation for being a good chess player. So this one time I'm out on the town and I run into a friend of a friend who challenges me to a game. He knows this non-alcoholic bar nearby that has a chessboard we can use so we go there. It's like 5:30 so it's not super busy but there's a few people there. Turns out they had an open mic night scheduled starting at six. But we were sat about 3/4 of the way toward the back wall and we weren't talking at all. Bought drinks just so we could justify the table. But we weren't paying attention to the performers either. I'd've figured they'd ignore us, but they had four comics come on and every single one of them had to start picking on us. So when I see a comic start in on someone who isn't really making a disturbance I kinda feel for the guy.
Excellent scenario you outlined there. Starting with the couple - had they not been disturbing the people around them, or me for that matter I would not have interjected. But as I said in the video, they were starting to get looks from the people around them, especially the people in their group! Which is how I determined they were part of the large group. There was a lady on the front row who kept looking across every so often because of the sound. There was also a guy right behind them who had to move his head because they kept moving and turning to each other. Also, that particular club, as many do, accidentally tends to light the front row, so people all the way to the back of the room, if they notice, can see a pair of heads not paying attention and moving. But this also means the security are less inclined to come over and ask them to shush because that would be MEGA distracting :) Their words were getting louder, which is why my concentration was starting to go. In a nutshell I felt totally justified in asking them what they were doing. Now, to your chess scenario - without being there, this sounds unnecessary and desperate from the comedians, tbh. It sounds like an insecure move, because they are all questioning their life choices being at a poorly attended gig and rather than have brilliant material to showcase or work on, they decided to take it out on you guys which was not cool. I can see however, the experience of that has meant you approached my scenario with a different perspective.
@@DianeSpencercomedian thanks for the clarification. I guess you probably made the right call on that couple.
It was easier to concentrate once they stopped chatting I'll be honest! :)