--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Well, the coffeehouse audiences never…" description: "\"Well, the coffeehouse audiences never know what they're going to get, and all the comics are different, as opposed to when you go to a club, and they'r..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/kathy-griffin-4016_audience_well-the-coffeehouse-audiences-never-kno_23198.png" --- # Well, the coffeehouse audiences never know what they're… ![“Well, the coffeehouse audiences never know what they're going to get, and all the comics are different, as opposed to when you go to a club, and they're pretty much all telling jokes with set-ups and punchlines. Coffeehouse audiences are the most forgiving: They really listen, which is the best…” quote by Kathy Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/kathy-griffin-4016_audience_well-the-coffeehouse-audiences-never-kno_23198.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/kathy-griffin-4016_audience_well-the-coffeehouse-audiences-never-kno_23198.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/kathy-griffin-4016_audience_well-the-coffeehouse-audiences-never-kno_23198.png) > “Well, the coffeehouse audiences never know what they're going to get, and all the comics are different, as opposed to when you go to a club, and they're pretty much all telling jokes with set-ups and punchlines. Coffeehouse audiences are the most forgiving: They really listen, which is the best part.” [Kathy Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-griffin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Live, intimate venues foster a listening audience that appreciates varied, experimental comedy over formulaic jokes. **In simple terms:** Coffeehouse crowds reward improvisational humor. Key Takeaway Audience openness fuels creative risk. Themes creativity audience dynamics performance style improvisation humor Mood curious appreciative intimate Type observation performance insight When to use this quote - stand‑up at a coffeehouse - open‑mic night - small‑venue comedy show - experimental comedy set Key Concepts listening forgiveness experiment authenticity Practical Applications - testing new material - building rapport with listeners Questions to Reflect On - How does venue size affect comedic risk? - What makes an audience forgiving? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Audience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/audience/) [Audiences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/audiences/) [Best](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best/) [Best part](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best-part/) [Club](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/club/) [Clubs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clubs/) [Coffeehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coffeehouse/) [Coffeehouse Audiences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coffeehouse-audiences-403667/) [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Comics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comics/) [Comics Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comics-different-403669/) [Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/) [Forgiving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiving/) [Get](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/get/) [Go](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/go/) [Going](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/going/) [Jokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jokes/) [Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Listen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/listen/) [Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/most/) [Much](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/much/) [Never](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/never/) [Opposed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opposed/) [Part](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/part/) [Pretty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pretty/) [Punchlines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/punchlines/) [Punchlines Coffeehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/punchlines-coffeehouse-403668/) [Really](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/really/) [Telling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/telling/) [Telling Jokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/telling-jokes-385108/) [Well](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/well/) [Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wells/) [Which](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/which/) [You](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/you/) ## Related quotes > [It's always fun when you see different comics at different weights or with different hair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hari-kondabolu/it-s-always-fun-when-you-see-different-comics-at-different-weights-or/) [Hari Kondabolu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hari-kondabolu/) > [ I think they \[Judy Blume comics\] are so different from the Dr. Strange ones are so different from the other, from the other comics… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-mcadams/i-think-they-judy-blume-comics-are-so-different-from-the-dr-strange/) [Rachel McAdams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-mcadams/) > [I think that, ultimately, there are so many characters in G.I. Joe that even all the iterations - the comics and the different cartoons…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-j-cotrona/i-think-that-ultimately-there-are-so-many-characters-in-g-i-joe-that/) [D. J. Cotrona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-j-cotrona/) > [Howard Chaykin was one of the few who dared to make mainstream comics different back in the eighties; it was guys like him, Alan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garth-ennis/howard-chaykin-was-one-of-the-few-who-dared-to-make-mainstream-comics/) [Garth Ennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garth-ennis/) > [I think I've been able to build up a wide range of styles in storytelling, using comics in different ways from project to project.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-brown/i-think-i-ve-been-able-to-build-up-a-wide-range-of-styles-in/) [Jeffrey Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-brown/) > [Comics is different than writing because when you draw something you are trying to visualize it and you are trying to put yourself in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-ware/comics-is-different-than-writing-because-when-you-draw-something-you/) [Chris Ware](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-ware/) > [The main thing I would say is: Lady Loki in the comics is a very different character to our character, obviously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-herron/the-main-thing-i-would-say-is-lady-loki-in-the-comics-is-a-very/) [Kate Herron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-herron/) > [I'm always interested in using comics in different ways.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-azzarello/i-m-always-interested-in-using-comics-in-different-ways/) [Brian Azzarello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-azzarello/) > [“Indeed, thinking of the coffeehouse as a haven for intellectual discourse is difficult when the one in question operates thousands of clones, wants to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-clark/indeed-thinking-of-the-coffeehouse-as-a-haven-for-intellectual/) [Taylor Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-clark/) > [“Follow that coffeehouse.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hardinge/follow-that-coffeehouse/) [Frances Hardinge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hardinge/) > [“Monday ushers in a particularly impressive clientele of red-eyed people properly pressed into dry-cleaned suits in neutral tones. They leave their equally well-buttoned children…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-sledz/monday-ushers-in-a-particularly-impressive-clientele-of-red-eyed/) [Amanda Sledz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-sledz/) > [The coffeehouse is good for genius, and the Viennese coffeehouse is a classic case. Freud had his favorite coffee shop, and so did Gustav…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-weiner/the-coffeehouse-is-good-for-genius-and-the-viennese-coffeehouse-is-a/) [Eric Weiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-weiner/) > [“EGAD was a coffeehouse, built for the kids of Harrisonville by a middle-aged Jesus Freak. Its letters meant "Everybody Give A Damn!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-eszterhas/egad-was-a-coffeehouse-built-for-the-kids-of-harrisonville-by-a/) [Joe Eszterhas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-eszterhas/) > [I've never tried writing at a coffeehouse. I just know instinctively it's not for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wentworth-miller/i-ve-never-tried-writing-at-a-coffeehouse-i-just-know-instinctively/) [Wentworth Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wentworth-miller/) > [“It is halfway true that if you are involved in a family coffeehouse you don't have a life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-mckinley/it-is-halfway-true-that-if-you-are-involved-in-a-family-coffeehouse/) [Robin McKinley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-mckinley/) ## More by Kathy Griffin > [I hate it, it is tedious... when I write for my act, it is very improvisational, I write bullet points, I cannot sit in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-griffin/i-hate-it-it-is-tedious-when-i-write-for-my-act-it-is-very/) [Kathy Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-griffin/) > [I am an outsider looking in, absolutely. You're not going to see me at the Academy Awards 'Vanity Fair' party any time soon. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-griffin/i-am-an-outsider-looking-in-absolutely-you-re-not-going-to-see-me-at/) [Kathy Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-griffin/) > [ “Presentation was the name of the Catholic church \[my mother's family\] attended, and this is what I love about the Irish: My mother became… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-griffin/presentation-was-the-name-of-the-catholic-church-my-mother-s-family/) [Kathy Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-griffin/) > [“It always pisses me off when I’m calling in to some Morning Zoo radio show to promote God-only-knows what—probably this book, so get ready,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-griffin/it-always-pisses-me-off-when-i-m-calling-in-to-some-morning-zoo-radio/) [Kathy Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-griffin/) > [When my pals in high school were starting to drink, it always looked unappealing to me. I would be at a big party and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-griffin/when-my-pals-in-high-school-were-starting-to-drink-it-always-looked/) [Kathy Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-griffin/) > [I'm always listening and watching; my ear is like a boom mike. And judging, frankly. Constantly judging.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-griffin/i-m-always-listening-and-watching-my-ear-is-like-a-boom-mike-and/) [Kathy Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-griffin/) > [My act is based on my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-griffin/my-act-is-based-on-my-life/) [Kathy Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-griffin/) > [I love to work. I love doing standup.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-griffin/i-love-to-work-i-love-doing-standup/) [Kathy Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-griffin/) > [I can criticize your religion all I want, and you can criticize mine. I don't like this whole climate of, 'You can't ever say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-griffin/i-can-criticize-your-religion-all-i-want-and-you-can-criticize-mine-i/) [Kathy Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-griffin/) > [A lot of celebrities, especially when you're talking about the really big ones, live in what I call the fame bubble. Nobody ever says…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-griffin/a-lot-of-celebrities-especially-when-you-re-talking-about-the-really/) [Kathy Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-griffin/) > [I certainly immerse myself in as many crazy Hollywood events as I can because you never know where you can pick up material.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-griffin/i-certainly-immerse-myself-in-as-many-crazy-hollywood-events-as-i-can/) [Kathy Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-griffin/) > [It was sweaty Whitney (Houston) in Central Park. She knew that park pretty well. Every bush!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-griffin/it-was-sweaty-whitney-houston-in-central-park-she-knew-that-park/) [Kathy Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-griffin/) > [ “We all make our own deals. \[...\] No one knows what happens in a relationship except the two people who are in it.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-griffin/we-all-make-our-own-deals-no-one-knows-what-happens-in-a-relationship/) [Kathy Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-griffin/) > [I prefer big Oprah. I know Oprah wants to be skinny Oprah, but her head is too gigantic to fit on a skinny body.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-griffin/i-prefer-big-oprah-i-know-oprah-wants-to-be-skinny-oprah-but-her-head/) [Kathy Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-griffin/) > [I would actually prefer a guy named Tony, but I'll take the statue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-griffin/i-would-actually-prefer-a-guy-named-tony-but-i-ll-take-the-statue/) [Kathy Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-griffin/) [Explore all 116 Kathy Griffin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-griffin/) ## More Audience quotes > [If the audience likes your work, if they like you, they don't think whether you are married or have children or not. I made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimple-kapadia/if-the-audience-likes-your-work-if-they-like-you-they-don-t-think/) [Dimple Kapadia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimple-kapadia/) > [It's those moments, those odd moments that you look for and sometimes by creating this kind of loose atmosphere you find those little moments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-levinson/it-s-those-moments-those-odd-moments-that-you-look-for-and-sometimes/) [Barry Levinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-levinson/) > [I can skate beautifully. While performing on ice I always try to please the audience and to win as well. Being artistic is very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evgeni-plushenko/i-can-skate-beautifully-while-performing-on-ice-i-always-try-to/) [Evgeni Plushenko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evgeni-plushenko/) > [One of the best moments of any Liars show is hearing the crowd squawk 'We're doomed! We're doomed!' on cue during 'We Fenced Other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-sheffield/one-of-the-best-moments-of-any-liars-show-is-hearing-the-crowd-squawk/) [Rob Sheffield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-sheffield/) > [It's the adrenaline rush you only get from being in front of an audience. It's addictive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raphael-saadiq/it-s-the-adrenaline-rush-you-only-get-from-being-in-front-of-an/) [Raphael Saadiq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raphael-saadiq/) > [If I had to speak in front of a Korean audience, I would be hard pressed to sound other than a little girl.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/an-na/if-i-had-to-speak-in-front-of-a-korean-audience-i-would-be-hard/) [An Na](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/an-na/) > [The liveness of theater, and the excitement of experiencing it alongside an audience, is something you can't get at home. That makes the theater…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-blaemire/the-liveness-of-theater-and-the-excitement-of-experiencing-it/) [Nick Blaemire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-blaemire/) > [One of the things that touches me most when I play for an audience is that although we may be unable to communicate in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hough/one-of-the-things-that-touches-me-most-when-i-play-for-an-audience-is/) [Stephen Hough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hough/) > [I have to feel the audience. I enjoy that feeling of community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-gahan/i-have-to-feel-the-audience-i-enjoy-that-feeling-of-community/) [Dave Gahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-gahan/) > [When you lived it for years and years and years and seen different characters just get pummeled and squashed because 'I said so,' it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arn-anderson/when-you-lived-it-for-years-and-years-and-years-and-seen-different/) [Arn Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arn-anderson/) > [“During the first few minutes of your presentation, your job is to assure the audience members that you are not going to waste their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-ludwig-and-greg-owen-boger/during-the-first-few-minutes-of-your-presentation-your-job-is-to/) [Dale Ludwig and Greg Owen-Boger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-ludwig-and-greg-owen-boger/) > [Donald Trump is a different ball of wax. I've been trying to say for I don't know how many months now that the traditional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/donald-trump-is-a-different-ball-of-wax-i-ve-been-trying-to-say-for-i/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [I don't think about who the audience is for my books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/i-don-t-think-about-who-the-audience-is-for-my-books/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [I feel I have been playing all primary characters. And if your character forms a connect with the audience, it doesn't matter if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angad-bedi/i-feel-i-have-been-playing-all-primary-characters-and-if-your/) [Angad Bedi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angad-bedi/) > [When I was playing piano, it was like, 'I'm going to write a song using all the white keys.' My music director, who knew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tesh/when-i-was-playing-piano-it-was-like-i-m-going-to-write-a-song-using/) [John Tesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tesh/) [Browse all 9,118 Audience quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/audience/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Well, the coffeehouse audiences never know what they're going to get, and all the comics are different, as opposed to when you go to a club, and they're pretty much all telling jokes with set-ups and punchlines. 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