Ty Moore's first open mic ended with a headliner running on stage and taking the mic out of his hands three minutes in — and honestly? He was relieved. Twelve years later, he hosts Bobo's, the Monday-night comedy open mic at Cafe Bourbon Street, one of the most beloved stand-up rooms in Columbus, Ohio.
On this episode of the First Mic podcast, Ty tells Ira Cross the whole origin story: getting cut from Ohio State's Fishbowl Improv thirty minutes after the audition, signing up late at the Scarlet & Grey Cafe (now Threes) and going up after midnight on $3 Miller Lite drafts, and the May 27, 2014 set that finally made comedy stick. If you're wondering what to expect at your first open mic, this is the honest version: the list fills early, you might not go up until 12:10 AM, and it's fine to suck. Ty's rule for every new comedian — "Embrace the suck. Learn from the suck." — might be the best advice this show has aired. And his real answer to how to deal with hecklers: match their energy, keep the crowd on your side, and aim the roast back at yourself before you aim it at them — illustrated by a country-club gig and a heckler named Princess. Filmed at Rehab Tavern in Columbus.
Comics: what time did you finally go up at YOUR first mic? Tell us in the comments.
🎙️ Follow Ty Moore: Instagram: @tysnotfunny X/Twitter: @tysnotfunny Catch him hosting the open mic Mondays at Cafe Bourbon Street, and Tuesdays at The Attic Comedy Club for Two for Tuesday.
🔗 First Mic is part of the Indie Comedy Collective: YouTube: youtube.com/@IndieComedyCollective Instagram: @indiecomedycollective