Comedy Mothership

Comedy Mothership serves as a hub for stand-up performances, attracting comedians and fans alike - in Austin, Texas

I will start by saying that I love – LOVE – comedy shows. I have seen some outstanding shows, from Ali Wong and Joe Rogan at Hollywood Improv; to Andrew Shultz WAY before he shit the bed with the ShxtsNGigs debacle at the Brea Improve; to flying to London to see Chris Rock at the O2 to flying to Ohio to see Dave Chapelle in a cornfield in Yellow Springs.

I state all that to put my proverbial strap-on cock on top of the table and say that I don’t say the following words lightly. But I am writing it with the full force of feeling, down to the very tips of my toes.

The Comedy Showcase I attended at the Comedy Mothership was one of the worse, low effort low value shows I’d ever sat through. And why did I sit through to the end?  Because I’d paid for a ticket to the dumpster fire and I wanted to make sure I fully got my $50 worth so I could judge the fuck out of it.

The selection of 9 humans that considered themselves comedians inside Little Boy that night was a rotating list of bad sets and underwhelming crowd work. The bookings felt like they were just around to fill a spot – not to actually give a good show. It truly felt like it was a community open mic night of people that pandered to racial based insults and low effort craft. But, I will say this – the first comedian was the best of them all. Then, it all went to shit from there.

At one point, I became increasingly bored and checked my watch for time. Now, I’d already gotten my arms searched for smart devices and my bag was searched upon entry for weapons and my phone was locked in a Younder bag. The watch on my arm was Fossil watch – very clearly not in any way, shape or design an Apple Watch. But, because it counts steps, it has a faint green glow against the skin. Within minutes, an over zealous security person came over to me and asked me if I had a smart watch on.

Sigh. NO!

What would I do with a recording of this mess of shit? Who would I sell it to? No one would want it. After firmly telling him no, it was not a smart watch and showing it to him, he scurried away, back into the shadows.

And I, continued to endure. The show was so bad that at one point, I just stared at the security camera pointed at the audience, to pass the time.

The last comic auctioned off his artwork. Which was actually really nicely done. However – what? He also did crowd work – but it was just bad. He couldn’t save the shit show that had been.

As for me, I realized that I may hate something – but I will be determined to see it through till completion for my own personal commitment of will. With the hope that maybe the next one will be the one that will save the experience. Not the case here. That’s not to say that I don’t like dark humor. I actually do. The memes my friends and I exchange are from the dankest, darkest corners of the internet. However, when I pay for something, I expect quality – not mediocrity.

A positive: the waitress was efficient and got to everyone. There also is a two drink minimum, with no food offered. As I’d already had a delicious dinner with cocktails at Hestia, I had no need to get drunk to laugh. I just needed a fun time. So, I ordered a ginger ale. But that tasted like mildly flavored water. Luckily, she didn’t force me to order another one.

If you leave before the show is over and don’t close out your tab, you’re automatically charged 20% for gratuity.

I wish I could have timed my visit for a headliner. Greg Fitzsimmons was performing the day I was leaving Austin. Maybe I’ll go back for someone special or a Kill Tony podcast recording. But, my advice remains the same. I’ve been burned one too many times at The Comedy Store in Hollywood and my experience at the Comedy Mothership only confirms it. If you value your time and money, only go to a comedy show if there is a clear, main headliner or every comic’s name is displayed on the flyer. Don’t waste your time with a no name showcase. Unless you get a masochistic thrill from – enduring.

At least I could walk from the Comedy Mothership to the Hilton Austin once the show was done.

I will say this – one comic made a passing comment, making fun of the trendiness and hype of the breakfast restaurant, Paperboy.

So of course, I visited Paperboy the next morning for breakfast. If a shit comic shits on a popular restaurant, that’s my sign that it’s actually good. And damn, the hype was definitely worth it. That was one of my best meals in Austin. So, it might have been a shit showcase. But, at least I got a great breakfast recommendation from it.

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