The Psychology of Hecklers and How to Handle Them

Hecklers typically fall into four psychological categories: 1) Attention-seekers craving validation (often drunk) 2) "Comedy cops" who think they're helping 3) Belligerent types wanting confrontation 4) Over-excited fans who don't understand show etiquette. Effective handling begins with reading their motivation. For attention-seekers, give them one quick moment then dismiss them ("Thanks for auditioning!"). With comedy cops, highlight their lack of expertise ("Oh you're a professional comedian? What clubs do you work?"). For belligerent types, use the crowd's support ("Let's vote - who wants to hear more from this guy?"). With over-eager fans, gently educate ("I love your energy but let's keep it for after the show"). Always maintain control through: 1) Keeping responses shorter than your material 2) Never taking it personally 3) Using the mic's volume advantage 4) Redirecting back to your act quickly. Psychological tactics include: 1) The "kill them with kindness" approach disarms aggression 2) Self-deprecation removes their power 3) Agreeing and amplifying exposes their absurdity 4) Using their words against them creates poetic justice. Preventative measures: 1) Set expectations early about show etiquette 2) Notice potential troublemakers during crowd work 3) Position yourself near supportive audience members 4) Work with venue staff on removal policies. Remember: The audience wants you to succeed - make them your allies against disruption while staying professional.