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1. Anonymous says:

   November 5, 2004 at 6:22 pm

   I think you folks might be missing the point. In order to draw traffic to the club, the producer probably makes it a bringer show…

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2. Brian McKim & Traci Skene says:

   November 5, 2004 at 6:46 pm

   Missing the point?

   The advertisment clearly states, “seeking people interested in producing shows at our venue. Primetime Friday and Saturday nights available. Top producers receive 100 per cent of box office. No rental fee.”

   There seems to be no requirement re warm bodies. We assume (perhaps wrongly) that Al Martin isn’t going to hand over the venue to anyone without a track record. We also assume that he might turn over the room to someone who would subsequently produce a show using the bringer model. This is different, however from a club advertising a bringer show. We would like to think that Mr. Martin views bringer shows (and any possible damage they might cause to his long-term reputation) with a jaundiced eye.

   There is a hope that potential producers would cobble together a lineup, determine a ticket price and a budget and set about promoting and advertising a show with the intention of filling the house. This takes a bit more imagination and energy than a bringer show, but in a city of roughly 10 million people, it isn’t out of the question that someone might possess such imagination and energy.

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3. Anonymous says:

   November 5, 2004 at 7:17 pm

   They do bringers shows at NYCC. While this ad might not be looking for producers specifically for bringer shows, it’s tough (even in NYC, maybe especially in NYC) to fill a big house without spending lots of money on promotion. Bringer shows work well for the clubs, which is why they do them. While NYCC is a full-time comedy club and not just a bar with a “Comedians Tonight” sign out front, it’s still not thought to be on par with Comic Strip, Gotham or Stand-up NY.

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4. Brian McKim & Traci Skene says:

   November 5, 2004 at 7:35 pm

   We are painfully aware that bringer shows are a part of the NYC landscape.

   And there is no disputing that, as you say, “it’s tough (even in NYC, maybe especially in NYC) to fill a big house without spending lots of money on promotion.” However, money spent on promotion, if spent properly, might result in more people through the door, thereby resulting in a profit. It’s known as taking a risk. Bringer shows shave risk down to a low level.

   You say that “Bringer shows work well for the clubs, which is why they do them.” But are they good for anyone else? That’s debatable.

   Gritting one’s teeth, spending money on promotion (and gambling that it’s spent in the most efficient way), then tirelessly promoting a show is a skill set possesed by few. It’s tough, but it’s not impossible.

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