--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you get started in comedy, you're at…" description: "\"When you get started in comedy, you're at the bottom of the totem pole. Not only are you not getting paid at these open mics. You're actually paying to..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74a/scott-rogowsky-9804_actually_when-you-get-started-in-comedy-you-re-at_3181687.jpg" --- # When you get started in comedy, you're at the bottom of… ![“When you get started in comedy, you're at the bottom of the totem pole. Not only are you not getting paid at these open mics. You're actually paying to do them.” quote by Scott Rogowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74a/scott-rogowsky-9804_actually_when-you-get-started-in-comedy-you-re-at_3181687.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74a/scott-rogowsky-9804_actually_when-you-get-started-in-comedy-you-re-at_3181687.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74a/scott-rogowsky-9804_actually_when-you-get-started-in-comedy-you-re-at_3181687.jpg) > “When you get started in comedy, you're at the bottom of the totem pole. Not only are you not getting paid at these open mics. You're actually paying to do them.” [Scott Rogowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-rogowsky/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Comedy starts at the lowest rung, often unpaid, requiring personal investment. **In simple terms:** Comedy begins with unpaid gigs. Key Takeaway Invest in your craft early. Themes comedy career risk Mood motivational realistic Type career advice When to use this quote - open mic nights - stand‑up workshops - self‑funded tours - networking events Key Concepts stage experience financial sacrifice Questions to Reflect On - Are you willing to invest without immediate return? - What strategies can offset early costs? A Different Perspective Financial strain may deter talent. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Open mic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/open-mic/) ## Related quotes > [When I first started comedy, I didn't know about the alt scene and I just started doing open mics in Manhattan and a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-sennott/when-i-first-started-comedy-i-didn-t-know-about-the-alt-scene-and-i/) [Rachel Sennott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-sennott/) > [I took a class from a church comedian and I was squeaky-clean for five, six years of my career starting in churches, corporates and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-tomlinson/i-took-a-class-from-a-church-comedian-and-i-was-squeaky-clean-for/) [Taylor Tomlinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-tomlinson/) > [“How can I have my 15 minutes of fame when open mics only allow you to perform for 10 minutes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-k-cowles/how-can-i-have-my-15-minutes-of-fame-when-open-mics-only-allow-you-to/) [R.K. 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I would drag my poor parents out to the only open mics that were in coffee shops instead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-petri/standup-comedy-was-my-weird-hobby-i-would-drag-my-poor-parents-out-to/) [Alexandra Petri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-petri/) ## More by Scott Rogowsky > [Since the beginning of HQ Trivia, when only 48 people logged in, the chat section was lighting up with comments such as 'This is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-rogowsky/since-the-beginning-of-hq-trivia-when-only-48-people-logged-in-the/) [Scott Rogowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-rogowsky/) > [The Internet was supposed to bring people together, but it's created big divisions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-rogowsky/the-internet-was-supposed-to-bring-people-together-but-it-s-created/) [Scott Rogowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-rogowsky/) > [I've had my fair share of tweets, DMs, emails, Facebook Messages and friends trying to set me up with friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-rogowsky/i-ve-had-my-fair-share-of-tweets-dms-emails-facebook-messages-and/) [Scott Rogowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-rogowsky/) > [You know, 'Jeopardy' has been on the air for 30 years, I don't see why HQ can't run for 30 years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-rogowsky/you-know-jeopardy-has-been-on-the-air-for-30-years-i-don-t-see-why-hq/) [Scott Rogowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-rogowsky/) > [If anyone has an MiLB franchise they're looking to gift for tax purposes, I'll take it! 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