Shtick to Business by Peter McGraw

Author:Peter McGraw
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BookBaby
Published: 2020-03-03T00:10:51+00:00

A Comedian Has Two Faces

In the 1950s, sociologist Erving Goffman explained a common dichotomy in the way people manage their daily lives, using the theater terms “front stage” and “backstage.” Few people behave the same in public as they do in private. In a way, people behave like actors. They engage in “front stage” behavior when they are out in public and know that people are watching. Then once they’re in a private setting—backstage—they reveal their true selves.

He didn’t define backstage as being alone or being at home. Rather the backstage of your life is simply the place or places where you feel you can let your guard down, take off your public mask, and be yourself. This could be at home, at the salon or bar with best friends, or at work with your closest colleagues.

Successful comedians may be uncivilized on stage, but they don’t get very far if they behave that way backstage. While researching The Humor Code, we met Chris Mazzilli, co-owner of Gotham Comedy Club. He doesn’t mind if you’re a jerk on stage (as long as you’re getting laughs), but he doesn’t want you to be a jerk to his club manager, bartenders, or any of his staff. In his view, there are plenty of talented people. Why work with a talented jerk when you can work with equally-talented non-jerks?

This principle is made abundantly clear when we look at the careers of several hall of fame comedians—Bill Murray, Steve Martin, even David Letterman. Now in their sixties and seventies, they are still thriving in the entertainment industry.

But not Chevy Chase.

You many know Chase from his National Lampoon Vacation films and physical slapstick during his time at SNL, and most recently as a non-traditional student at the community college on the show Community.

Chase’s front-stage persona is a lot like the doofy but earnest character Clark Griswald from Vacation. His back-stage persona, evidently, isn’t as affable. From poorly-executed racial jokes, to contentious critiques, even fistfights—the word is out, and people are not interested in hiring him anymore.

Whether front stage or backstage, it’s crucial to be supportive. And if you can create a culture where everyone is doing that, you have a chance to build something special.

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