There’s Room for Everyone
The stand-up comedy world can feel like a grind sometimes. You work hard, write your jokes, hone your craft, hit the mics, do your best to show the world you are ready for its stage. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that if someone else gets a spot, it means one less opportunity for you. Or for this to create bitterness and resentment. But here’s the truth: comedy isn’t a zero-sum game. There’s room for everyone.
The Scarcity Mindset Is a Lie
Many comedians—especially early on—operate under a scarcity mindset. They see a fellow comic get booked on a show and feel like they’ve missed out or that the spot should have been theirs. Maybe this week it wasn’t your turn, but it doesn’t mean that you won’t get an opportunity.
Comedy scenes are living, breathing things. When more people succeed, it raises the overall energy of a scene, creating more audiences, more buzz, more rooms, and more chances to perform. That’s why it’s better to see other comedians’ wins as proof that you can win too. Comedy scenes that are more successful support each other. So what you didn’t get booked on the show. Go to the show and show that you support your fellow comics and the scene that you are part of.
Jealousy Wastes Energy You Could Be Using to Get Better
It’s easy to feel jealous when someone else gets booked on a show you wanted. But here’s the thing—worrying about what someone else is doing won’t help your craft. It won’t make you a better comic. It won’t give you more opportunities. Every minute spent being bitter could be spent writing, performing, networking, creating social media content, or just enjoying comedy.
Instead of focusing on who got what, shift your mindset to why. Why did that comedian get booked? Is it their material? Their work ethic? Their social presence? Use their success as motivation, not as a personal slight.
Recently, a comedian I don’t know went viral with a joke concept very similar to one I have been telling for years (I don’t think it was stolen, I think we just had the same thought, with 8 billion people on the planet this is bound to happen to us all). I asked my fellow comics how they would feel about it and one comic pointed out that even if it wasn’t my joke that went viral, this means a joke concept that I had written went viral. Which gave me the motivation to not get down about it.
The Comedy Community Is Stronger Together
Some of the most successful comedians today came up together, helped each other, and created their own opportunities. Nikki Glaser who is very famous for her prowess at comedy roasts always has a group of comics that she uses as a sounding board. Neal Brennan was Dave Chappelle’s writing partner for years. Jim Gaffigan’s wife co-writes his material. The best scenes aren’t built on competition but on mutual support. There’s room for every voice, every style, and every perspective.
So, the next time someone else gets a gig, remember—it’s not taking away from you. It’s proof that opportunities exist, and if you keep working, your time will come too. Keep writing, keep performing, and keep supporting others. Comedy is way more fun when we’re all laughing together.
