Anyone here go to a lot of Stand-Up comedy shows? Is it random?

[ilmdf]

I have front row tickets for Jimmy Carr, Never gave it a second thought until my Mum, Who is coming with me said (Jokingly) she was terrified he would zone in on me and rip me apart!, She then showed me youtube videos of him in action!

How do they pick people to pick on? Do they look out for anything specific or is it random? Getting the feeling that maybe anyone on the front row is fair game?

Never been to a Stand-Up show before and I'm a total introvert and would hate the attention.. If he does happen to pick on me, How is the best way to get him to move along?

I know I'm worrying over nothing but still, It's something that's in my head now and I'm now curious to know how it all works!

I'd say the front row is generally populated by people who've sat there because they want to be picked on participate.

The comedian will get the message pretty quickly if you're not going to add to his show, but they'll be expecting those in the front to play along.

Why on earth do you want to attend the show at all? Did you not know he makes vile rape jokes? I wouldn’t attend one of his shows if you paid me.

I’ve been to
loads of these shows. If you air further back and avoid any eye contact with the comedian, you'll be fine!

Got the tickets from a friend who can no longer make it. Had a terrible few years and just wanted to get out and do something different that I had never done before.

It is random. Don't sit in the front row unless you're prepared to be picked on.

Been to Al Murray loads of times front row. And always get picked on and the kids especially. For my 50th - he got the whole audience to sing happy birthday to me and gave me some wine. He also asked me if we'd met before I said yes at Edinburgh. He then gave my son a £10 note and said there you go son for past child support! 😅

Random. More chance of being picked on at the front but have been picked on 3x in total - one when at the end of a front row (Dave Gorman), once when sat second row of tables (Reginald D Hunter) and once when I was quite a way back in a pub (local pub comedian).
Dave Gorman was fine - it was his Reasons to be cheerful show/lecture and he gave me some weird juice and nicked my leather jacket (got it back at the end). Reginald D Hunter was a bit in yer face - I was heavily pregnant at the time. The local comedian made me do an impression of Ronnie Corbett - random and obscure.
Usually in a front row, it will be your name, your job and who you are with, unless you are wearing something very noticeable. They will have their patter and know what they can joke about wrt your jobs. Best way of avoidance/closing it down is little eye contact and single word answers...but tbh the worst that happens is a bit of a piss-take/maybe a call back later rather than much interactive.
Jimmy Carr is very polished , whatever you think of his material - he is very much joke-punchline throughout rather than observational-audience participation, although he is quick...so doesn't spend that long on talking to the crowd as he has the material to hand already. It will just be warming up the crowd a bit.

Dara O'Briain picked on DH but it was gentle banter (name, job etc)
I was picked on by Rob Rouse and that was really good - nice back & forth.
We've not seen anyone who was nasty.

There will be loads on the front row silently and obviously begging to be picked so you’ll be fine , been to loads of comedy and the only place I’ve seen everyone get noticed is the comedy store - not seen a front row (it’s a three sided square) where no one got a mention.

Good for you but plenty of people do go.

Imagine if we all had different humour and opinions? Wow!