I’m doing more MC spots and I keep noticing the same temptation: if a bit works in the opening, I want to keep doing material every time I come back on. But I’m not sure that’s always helping the room or the next act. How do people judge when to do a proper bit between acts versus just reset the room, say what needs saying and bring the next comic on?
From the room-running side, I’d rather the MC react to what the room needs than hit a planned quota of jokes. Sometimes you need two minutes to get them back. Sometimes the previous act has left them exactly where you want them and the best thing you can do is not interrupt it.
This is partly why MCing terrifies me more than doing a set. In a set I know what my job is. Between acts you’re making that decision live every single time. I think I’d massively over-prepare and then have to learn not to use half of it.
The bit I’m trying to learn is that silence between acts doesn’t automatically mean I need another joke. If the room is listening and the next act is ready, getting out of the way can be the useful choice. I find that much harder than filling the space.
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