Not laughing is better. Getting a Boo could be a great reaction for a comic that wanted to piss you off.
Oh I'm with him on that. Just responding to another poster that had a difference of opinion on the matter that's all.
I can't imagine anything worse for a comedian than silence after a joke or a series of jokes. Put me in the, "Don't boo - they know that they are failing," group. A comedian faced with silence tells them all they need to know. Having said that, for a comedian trying out new material in an obscure club, they likely appreciate the feedback of groans and cat-calls, with the occasional boo, because better to get the response in that venue than at a much larger one that's far more important to their career. In my opinion, anyway.
Anybody who feels the need to boo or heckle a stand-up comedian needs to re-assess their life choices. Also, I'm pretty sure a silent audience is far more soul-crushing for a comedian than heckling/booing.
I imagine the absolute worst case scenario is complete silence after a series of jokes and then a really effective heckle that causes the audience to erupt with laughter. It shows that the audience isn't just a tough crowd not looking to laugh, it's just that you really are bombing that hard.
Surprised to see the question, much less someone who thinks it's okay. I always assumed it was just drunks who did it, people who otherwise know better. The rest of the audience paid for the show too though, and you are interfering with that. The good or bad reaction should generally be limited to either laughing, or not. Anything more puts a spotlight on yourself, and draws attention away from the person everyone paid to see.
I wouldn't boo/heckle, but anyone who does is putting their own self at risk... of embarrassment. The comedian's best attribute might be ranking. The choice is yours.
Saw Marc Maron a couple weeks ago and he thoroughly embarrassed two hecklers. They shamefully left the venue with their heads down
I'd never heckle cause I'm not good at thinking of crap off the top of my head to insult folks, but I don't see why they shouldn't if the guy obviously is not good...but that's the thing...what if they're good AND someone heckles them? I don't think that should be done b/c it ruins it for everyone probably.
A couple of things. People shouldn't boo. The simple fact that the comedian has the guts to try one of the hardest jobs out there means they shouldn't be booed. Heckling will almost always backfire. If you heckle, even if it is kind of a funny heckle, it will never sound as good as the comedian's comeback, because the mic and amplification have a huge effect. The comedian's voice will sound much more authoritative and powerful than anything the heckler might say.
