Corporate Party Entertainment Ideas NYC

This post is part of my “Trivia Questions For…” interview series, where I have the pleasure of asking thought leaders, event professionals, team building experts, New York corporate entertainers and more questions which are on peoples’ minds. It’s been a little while since I’ve visited this series, and I’m kicking it off in earnest by speaking with some of the most incredible event emcees I know – specifically, TrivWorks’ “Special Talent” hosts!

Today, I’d like to turn my attention to one of the hosts whom I’m most excited about working with: comedian Christian Finnegan! Christian has over 20 years’ experience entertaining audiences of all types and backgrounds, be it on standup comedy stages nationwide or via his hilarious appearances on such TV shows as Comedy Central’s Chappelle’s Show, VH1’s Best Week Ever and his own Netflix special, “The Fun Part.” Christian and I got together two years ago to create a unique trivia/comedy experience for corporate events nationwide, and the response has been spectacular – groups as small as 20 to as large as 300 have had such a blast, loving the combination of competitive team trivia and Christian’s impeccable humor.

It’s a tremendous honor to work with as well-known and well-respected a professional comedian as Christian, and I’m so psyched we got a chance to do the below interview – enjoy!

What are the main differences between entertaining public vs. corporate comedy audiences? 

The most obvious difference is that a typical audience doesn’t know each other ahead of time. When you’re playing to a corporate audience, people are sitting next to their coworkers and bosses, which is going to affect their behavior. If it’s a daytime event, they may require a big of massaging. If it’s a holiday party with an open bar, I may need to break out my lion tamer skills.

Laughter has an incredible power to disarm/defuse tense situations, especially in the workplace. Why do you think that is? How can laughter help people to work better together?

Real laughter is involuntary, which displays vulnerability. In a workplace, where people may not always express themselves openly, a shared laugh strips away some of that artifice. I think it’s a lot easier to work with people when you see them as regular human beings.

You’re a huge trivia fan, and once won a car on a TV game show! What is it about trivia that you – and perhaps others – enjoy?

I stink at sports, I have no business skills and I’m ten years married. So at this point in my life, trivia is my only opportunity to engage in Alpha Male dominance. I may not be richer/stronger/sexier than you, but I know who played bass for Stryper and you don’t. Or, at least, you didn’t before Google game along. Damn you, Google!

 We’ve been working together for two years now – how is hosting trivia like/unlike other professional comedy gigs? 

Hosting trivia is different because I’m there to actually DO something. Sure, I lean heavily on my standup chops, but the event isn’t about me–I’m there to facilitate the game. The mark of a successful trivia event isn’t that the audience is enamored with me, but that they’re engaged amongst themselves–debating, celebrating, taunting other teams, etc. If I can get some laughs along the way, even better.

 Besides comedic ability (timing, delivery, etc.) what are some skills a professional comedian MUST have?

You need a thick skin. In fact, I think you need to be a 5% sociopath. There are going to be awkward moments where your fight-or-flight mechanism is going to kick in, big time. You need to be able to overcome that awkwardness and seem comfortable doing it. In fact, you need to steer your boat directly into those headwinds. Because all of the good stuff, comedically speaking, is on the other side of that discomfort.

Can you provide ONE awesome trivia question for our blog readers?

Has anyone seen my wallet?

Check out Christian’s latest news and standup schedule by visiting www.ChristianFinnegan.com, or by following his hilariously funny Twitter feed @ChristFinnegan. To learn more about trivia events hosted by Christian Finnegan, click here.