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To spark the release of tension that produces laughter, the comedian must first create that tension.
Im a bad lover, begins a classic Rodney Dangerfield joke.
The premiere venue for the comedy industry to vet unknown comedians is Montreals prestigiousJust for Laughs festival.
At his next audition.
he presented a set he had developed for the alt-comedy showcase,The Elevated.
It ended up being exactly what JFL andLate Night With Jimmy Fallonwere looking for.
confirm to watch until the end.
Laughter is a pleasurable reaction, but its still an involuntary one.
Seconds after cementing his authority, Vatterott undermines it.
He begins conventionally enough.
Dont you hate when youre like … he says, but he never finishes the sentence.
From 2:06 to 2:11, he scampers around the stage making noises and faces like a lunatic.
The audience is confused.
Isnt that the worst?
Vatterott presses on anyway.
At 3:07, Vatterott says Wouldve been awkward like a character onHannah Montana.
He does this for ten seconds to almost no response.
It couldnt have been easy.
It is painful and detrimental to morale to be met with apprehension even for a short time.
Jamie Foxx may happen to have both, but that is by no means a given.
Vatterotts acting here is excellent.
At 3:33, all confidence drains from his face.
So … one of the things …
I like … to do … is forget my next joke, he says.
His simultaneous confusion, terror, and shame feel genuine.
But he lets them twist nonetheless.
At 4:08 he stammers, Oh, man, um …
I I actually … At 4:19 he apologizes to Fallon, who plays it dead straight like Johnny Carson.
The illusion is complete: The audience believes they are witnessing a disaster.
Vatterott has played them to perfection.
In that moment, Nick VatterottisNBC.
This responsibility is ordinarily left only to people with thousands of hours of broadcast experience.
A first-time comedian has zero.
For a comedian eyeing a long career, thats the greater prize.
