Nya Yeanafehn on Bad Shows, Comedy Growth & Making Germans Laugh

Nya Yeanafehn on Bad Shows, Comedy Growth & Making Germans Laugh

What happens when a bad opener makes a show go completely off the rails? In this episode of The Show Must Go Wrong, I'm joined by comedian Nya Yeanafehn to talk about bombing, bad openers, and the differences between American and European comedy audiences. We discuss how one poorly chosen opener can derail an entire show, whether Germans are really harder to make laugh, and how comedians process bad sets. Nya also shares stories from the early days of performing comedy in New York and reflects on the challenges and opportunities that helped shape her career. From horrible early shows to unexpected career breaks, this episode is a behind-the-scenes look at building a comedy career while learning how to handle failure, growth, and audience expectations. If you're into stand-up comedy, touring stories, and the realities of life on stage, this episode is for you. — ⏱️ Chapters: 0:00 Introducing Nya Yeanafehn 1:30 Not vetting your openers, and how a bad opener can make a show go wrong 7:52 US vs European Audiences, and can you make Germans laugh 15:24 Processing Bombs, how comedy is different in Europe, and the importance of audience size 26:30 Horrible shows starting out in NY 34:30 Unexpected Career Breaks & Creative Process 41:25 The importance of goals & taking care of yourself 50:06 Outro

Rogier Bak on Going Full-Time in Comedy & A Special Recording Gone Wrong

What does it take to quit your day job and go all-in on stand-up comedy? In this episode of The Show Must Go Wrong, I'm joined by comedian Rogier Bak to talk about getting started in stand-up, surviving the difficult early years, and making the leap to full-time comedy. We discuss bombing in front of people you care about, building a first hour of material, and the challenges that come with pursuing comedy professionally. Rogier also shares stories about some of his worst early shows, a special recording that didn't go according to plan, and the moments throughout his career that felt like he was finally making it. From bad gigs to career milestones, this episode is a behind-the-scenes look at the realities of building a life in comedy. If you're into stand-up comedy, touring stories, and the ups and downs of life on stage, this episode is for you. — ⏱️ Chapters: 0:00 Introducing Rogier Bak 2:32 Whats the deal with Bratislava 15:56 How Rogier Bak got his start in standup 22:01 The worst shows of the early years, and bombing for loved ones 29:45 Quitting your day job, going full time in comedy, and building your 1st hour 45:23 A special recording gone wrong 54:05 Moments that felt like making it, and being critical of your own work 1:03:40 Outro

Žana Fejzić on Bad Shows, Belly Dancing & Comedy Across Cultures

What’s the difference between a bad dance show and a bad comedy show? In this episode of The Show Must Go Wrong, I’m joined by Berlin-based comedian Žana Fejzić, who tours Europe performing stand-up comedy entirely independently and previously toured professionally as a belly dancer. We talk about bombing in very different art forms, performing comedy across languages and cultures, and how audiences change depending on where you are in the world. Žana also shares stories from bad comedy shows, awkward open mic experiences in Florida, and how performing helped her reconnect with her roots. From specialty comedy shows to self-producing a career across Europe, this episode is a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build your own path in comedy. If you’re into stand-up comedy, international touring, and stories from life on stage, this episode is for you. — ⏱️ Chapters: 0:00 Introducing Zana & her last bad show in a BBQ restaurant 07:58 What makes a bad show? 14:34 Differences between bad dance shows & bad comedy shows 25:48 Zana's experience at a open mic in Florida 32:00 Comedy in different languages & across cultures 38:19 Connecting with your roots through your audience 53:48 Career goals & Zana's dating show 59:49 Outro

Dan Belkin on Corporate Improv Horror Stories & Comedy Around Europe

What’s the difference between North American and European comedy audiences—and what happens when corporate improv gigs go horribly wrong? In this episode of The Show Must Go Wrong, I’m joined by comedian Dan Belkin, who grew up in Canada, started in improv, and now tours all over Europe doing stand-up comedy. We talk about the differences between North American and European crowds, throwing people out of shows, and the brutal early years of comedy. Dan also shares stories from corporate improv gigs, bombing in front of his girlfriend, and what it’s like when your parents come watch your stand-up. From bad crowds to life on the road, this episode is a behind-the-scenes look at the realities of building a comedy career internationally. If you’re into stand-up comedy, touring stories, and comedy behind the scenes, this episode is for you. — 🎟 Go see Dan live! Grab tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/dan-belkin-comedy-41836700153Follow & find more Dan Belkin here: https://www.instagram.com/danbelkincomedy/https://www.youtube.com/@danielbelkincomedy/videos https://www.tiktok.com/@danbelkincomedy 🌍 Come see your host Pat Moore live & request a show in your city:https://linktr.ee/patmoorecomedybit.ly/PatMooreLiveShowAlarmFollow & find more of Pat here: https://www.instagram.com/patmoorecomedy/ https://www.youtube.com/@PatMooreComedy ⏱️ Chapters: 0:00 Introducing Dan Belkin 2:21 North American Comedy vs European Comedy & Audiences 8:25 Throwing people out on stage/bad crowds 18:24 Horrible early years of comedy & corporate improv stories 30:10 Bombing in front of your girlfriend 35:42 Parents coming to standup shows 44:15 Making it, big & small dreams, and dealing with life on the road 56:37 Outro

Dragos on Tough Crowds, Touring Europe & Building Comedy Independently

What does it take to build a stand-up comedy career independently in Europe? In this episode of The Show Must Go Wrong, I’m joined by Romanian comedian Dragos to talk about tough crowds, touring Europe, and building an audience from the ground up. We get into performing crowd work in Romanian, shared Eastern European experiences, and how Dragos approached comedy early on with a clear plan for success. We also talk about balancing producing and writing, building an hour of material, and the realities of touring independently across Europe. From Flixbus horror stories to terrible venues, bad shows, and the early grind of stand-up comedy, this is a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to make comedy work outside the traditional industry system. We also get into social media, crowd work clips, and how comedians are building audiences online today. If you’re into stand-up comedy, touring stories, and comedy behind the scenes, this episode is for you. — 🎟 Go see Dragos live! Grab tickets here: https://dragoscomedy.com/ Follow & find more Dragos here: https://www.instagram.com/dragoscomedy https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@DragosComedy⁩  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCGmFvH5bL4sUerU76Nr2f8A] https://www.tiktok.com/@dragoscomedy 🌍 Come see your host Pat Moore live & request a show in your city: https://linktr.ee/patmoorecomedy bit.ly/PatMooreLiveShowAlarm Follow & find more of Pat here: https://www.instagram.com/patmoorecomedy https://www.youtube.com/@PatMooreComedy — ⏱️ Chapters: 0:00 Introducing Dragos 2:37 Bad shows & staying Independent 10:01 Tough crowds, crowd work in Romanian, and shared eastern european experience 19:05 How Dragos started comedy & his plan for success 32:50 Balancing producing & writing, and building an hour 37:01 Dragos 1st tour, and flixbus horror stories 44:05 Early workload, worst venues, and bad shows 51:46 Finding venues & raw dogging early career 59:24 Starting tiktok, social media, and crowd work clips 1:00:09 Looking forward & Outro