Michael Hoffmann

There’s a saying amongst comedians in the world of stand-up comedy:

You’re only as funny as your last show. Well, my last show was almost 15 years ago.

What started off as a casual conversation over coffee this past Christmas Day has now become a reality. On October, 24, 2024, yours truly will grab a microphone and climb back onstage for the first time since 2009.

I always joked about having “one more show left” inside of me, but I didn’t think I would focus on returning to stand-up until both of my children went off to college.

With the recent passing of my mother, I realized that tomorrow is not guaranteed, so there is no time like the present to pursue our interests.

Starting From Square One

I have forgotten most of the material that I used to tell on stage. Unfortunately, there are only a few recordings of my past performances so most of what I developed on stage in my “previous life” has been lost. So I am essentially starting from square one.

However, I am writing and developing new material every single day. Ideas are flowing to me more naturally than they did when I was performing regularly. I think a lot of that has to do with the fact there is no pressure to perform at the level I was when I as a professional.

When I was working in the clubs I was paid to deliver the laughs. The club owners and bookers had expectations of my work based on previous performances. In other words, I got paid to deliver the my greatest hits- not tune my instrument.

I have the opportunity to take my old act into an entirely new direction. To reinvent the comedian that I used to be into something totally brand new.

Besides, it’s not everyday that you get a second chance to perform for the very first time.