Duffy's comedy workshop tests comedians for more than 25 years

It's something every comedian will say at least once in his or her career: "You've been a great crowd." But on Monday nights at Duffy's Tavern in Lincoln, it's something many comedians don't say, unless it's draped in sarcasm.

On Mondays, Duffy's Tavern hosts its regular comedy workshop, a tradition for more than 25 years and the longest running comedy show in Nebraska. It also happens to be one of the most challenging comedy venues in the state, and it's a challenge posed by the audience. On any given Monday, the majority of people in Duffy's aren't even there for comedy. Duffy's owner, Scott Hatfield, pointed out some of the major difficulties involved in performing comedy at Duffy's.

"It's a tough crowd because we are many things," Hatfield said. "We are a neighborhood bar, so people are here, people talk, it's just a loud room."

Hatfield inherited the comedy workshop five years ago when he bought the bar, but never planned on changing the tradition.

"The whole venture in comedy is just kind of another way to put our stage to use," Hatfield said. "Monday nights have just been a great night for us to do comedy."

Jim Kuddes is a regular host of the comedy workshop and got his start at Duffy's 15 years ago. Kuddes has performed all over the country and even overseas, but he still calls Duffy's home.

Kuddes tells new comedians that Duffy's is like "combat comedy," they just don't know what the audience will be like.

"Duffy's is a different crowd than any other in the country," Kuddes said. "Sometimes they have a great time and they get into it. Other times, they're just loud, obnoxious drunks."

Richard Reese is also no stranger to the comedy scene. He has performed comedy all over the country and, despite his experience, he never underestimates the crowd at Duffy's.

"There are horrible nights here," Reese said. "It's the number one hardest place to perform in Nebraska."

Despite these challenges, many comedians are able to succeed at Duffy's. In fact, the difficult crowd can be beneficial for many comedians.

"We have a diverse crowd here," Kuddes said. "Sometimes they are into it, sometimes they're not. What works one night might not work another, but it makes you work harder."

Hatfield agrees.

"It makes for some tough comedians and they do a good job," he said.

Heckling is another issue that pops up regularly at Duffy's. The comedians point out that it happens everywhere, but to hecklers' dismay and embarrassment many comedians at Duffy's are prepared to fire back.

Because of the difficult crowd situation, The Funny Bone Comedy Club in Omaha uses Duffy's as a proving ground for new comedians.

"Colleen Quinn manages the Funny Bone and if she gets somebody that's interested in getting into comedy, (she) will send them here to get stage time to the point where they are ready to perform at the Bone," Kuddes said.

This trial process has proven to be effective. Duffy's has been a starting ground for many successful comedians, actors, writers and producers.

Duffy's list of stars includes people like Jim Hanna, who currently works as an actor in Los Angeles. Although he gave up stand-up years ago, he will never forget the influence Duffy's had.

"I will always have a special fondness for Duffy's," said Hanna. "It was a great place in a town like Lincoln, because there aren't many opportunities for actors other than the university."

Mark Gross is another successful former Duffy's comedian. He has written for several television shows and is currently writing for the hit series "Mike and Molly."

But not all of Duffy's comedians will go on to do big things. Some have been performing for years and will continue to do so. Others don't even make it a month. To be successful at Duffy's Reese believes comedians need a ‘don't quit' attitude.

"I've seen a lot of comedians who I didn't think were funny at all or had any promise," Reese said. "But they had such a ‘no quit, not give up' attitude that they end up being successful."

In spite of the difficult venue, attending Duffy's Monday night comedy workshop consistently proves to be a good time. Reese believes a horrible audience can make for an entertaining night and he, as well as Kuddes and Hatfield, strongly encourage anyone of age to check out the workshop.

"Some nights are worse than others and those are the good nights to watch actually," Reese said.

"There may not always be a great crowd, but it's always a great time."

kevinmoser@dailynebraskan.com