Karaoke Forums

Just wondedered if anybody has any ideas on how to establish groundrules for handling heckling during a contest- espcecially if it may create a distinct (and unfair)disadvantage for a contestant. Obviously the crowd cannot be penalized, so what other options are there?

Depending on the venue, you may be able to remove the heckler.  If the heckler is also a competitor, then that would be grounds for disqualification.  Beyond that, there really isn't much you can do.  It all depends on the where and the situation.  One would hope that members of an audience would have enough common courtesy to be respectful of someone competing, but that isn't always the case, and as a performer, you need to be prepared for that eventuality.

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"I hold the key to an open door....will I ever be free...?"

give him/her 1 chance then kick him/her out

I agree with Billy...one chance then they are out. Also if they are sitting with a competitor- tell them that it makes their "friend" look bad- not the person they are heckling. One time only at a contest I was in- there was a competitor who had an entire table of people who were booing everyone and being obnoxious. They were told to stop- when they didn't- not only were they kicked out- the "friend" that was competing was disqualified. All you have to do it state in the rules that "courtesy" is required by everyone. If a competitor is sitting with someone who wants to heckle- let THEM tell their friend it can get them disqualified. That will stop the rude people most of the time but it is a sticky situation.

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announce it ahead of time, saying that ANY heckling will be a determination not only to get someone kicked out of the club, but their FRIEND that's singing will also be disqualified!  OR anybody heckling will have to buy the place a round. People will settle down real quick after that.