FAQSATELLITES
What is a Satellite?
The World Series of Comedy travels to comedy clubs around the U.S. and Canada and holds contests, called Satellites, during the year in preparation for The Main Event in September. A Satellite is just a smaller version of The Main Event. We created the Satellites to help the comics be seen by more comedy clubs. Not every comic can travel to The Main Event so this is an opportunity to still participate. Placing in the top 3 of a Satellite guarantees you a spot in The Main Event contest. It is also a way to get a better score than your video submission by performing live, which could help your chances of being chosen for The Main Event.
How am I able to add additional Satellites to my registration?
Just email [email protected]. Let him know you have registered. He will email you back a link to add all remaining Satellites for $25. This link will only be emailed to anyone who has already registered for The Main Event.
Is it possible to change the location of my Satellite?
Yes. You must make any Satellite changes before the scheduled deadline; otherwise, you must pay for the additional Satellite. You can only make a change one time. Just email [email protected], and ask him to make the change for you.
Is it possible to register for a Satellite without registering for The Main Event?
No. The only way to pick a Satellite is to register for The Main Event. When you register, you are not registering for a Satellite, you are registering for The Main Event and picking a free Satellite.
When I sign up for The Main Event this year, how many Satellites can I sign up for?
You will be able to pick one Satellite or one Online Showcase as part of your registration. You can add as many additional Satellites or Online Showcases as you wish for a fee of $25.00. We do run specials which will let you pick more Satellites or Online Showcases when you register early.
Is it possible to be in more than one Satellite?
Why should I do a Satellite?
The advantage of participating in a Satellite is you will have Satellite points added to your score just for performing at a Satellite. A half of a point if you are in the wildcard, One point if you are in the second round, Two points if you make it to Saturday and Three points if you’re one of the top 3 comics from that Satellite. This means your overall score will be higher, giving you a better chance of being picked for The Main Event. A max of 6 points per comic per season can be earned by performing at Satellites or Online Showcases. You will also be seen by the owner or booker of the Satellite club, meaning you have a good chance of meeting them and getting work from them. If you win, you get a week’s worth of work there and will be placed into the second round of The Main Event.
Do we have to perform at any Satellite to get on stage at The Main Event?
No. When you register for the WSOC you are registering for The Main Event. You can simply not choose a Satellite and pick The Main Event only. Your video will be judged along with all the other submissions for the year. If your video is in the top 101, you will be selected to compete in The Main Event. If you can do a Satellite, we think you should because it will help increase your overall score.
Am I responsible for all travel expenses to perform at the Satellite?
Can I enter the Satellite contest through the comedy clubs that have satellites?
When I pay the registration fee, am I automatically in the Satellite?
No. When you pay the registration fee, you are automatically registered for The World Series of Comedy Main Event festival, and you are eligible to participate in all the seminars, social events, and events with bookers and club owners during the week.
Will there be any discounts on a hotel in the Satellite cities?
We try to get each club to give us information they have for the best hotel nearest the club, but it is best, once you get picked, to go online and book the best hotel you can find near the club. If we do get information about hotels for the Satellite, it will be listed on the Satellite info page and emailed to you for each Satellite.
Do I have to be at the Satellite for all four days?
How much time will I be doing in the Satellite shows?
This can be found on the website: https://theworldseriesofcomedy.com/contest-format.
WILDCARD WEDNESDAY
Each comic performs for five minutes.
Three comics will move on to Round 2.
One show, with 16 comics in the show.
1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place winners perform in the Thursday and Friday shows.
One Wildcard winner in each Round 2 shows.
ROUND 2
Each comic performs for seven minutes.
Six comics will move on to the Semi-Finals.
Three shows, with nine comics in each show.
1st & 2nd Place winners will move on to the 1st show on Saturday.
SEMI-FINALS
1st SHOW ON SATURDAY
Each comic performs for ten minutes.
Three comics will move on to the Finals.
FINALS
LAST SHOW ON SATURDAY
Each comic performs for 25 minutes.
1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place winners will be announced.
I have a gig and can't do the finals of the Satellite. Should I still register?
I picked the Satellite I want to go to, do I have to register again for The Main Event?
No. When you register for The World Series of Comedy, you are registering for The Main Event and are eligible to participate in all its daytime and social events. In addition, you get to pick a Satellite for free, in the city of your choice, as long as the deadline has not passed.
Do we get any free tickets to the shows at the Satellites?
No, but we will always try to offer a discount ticket for each Satellite. Every Satellite is different, and we have to follow the rules of the club that is hosting the Satellite. We always need volunteer helpers for each Satellite; so if you have registered and want to hang out, we will make sure you get in each night as long as you help us during the shows.
Can comics buy the offered audience packages for themselves if they want to see the shows at the Satellite?
Any comedian that wants to pay the regular audience price is free to do so and will enjoy the benefits of any regular audience member. Comedians paying for admission are subject to any and all food/drink minimums the club may have. The WSOC reserves the right to seat all audience members in the club at their discretion.
How do I know if I was picked for a Satellite?
Each Satellite has its own info page, and this is where the names of the top 40 comics will be listed. You can find the dates when the names will be posted for each Satellite on the website calendar at https://theworldseriesofcomedy.com/calendar. An email will also be sent out to all the comics who picked that Satellite.
I would love to see the local comedy club in my town as one of the WSOC Satellites. What can I do to make that happen?
Who are the judges for the live shows at the Satellites?
President/CEO/comedian, Joe Lowers, and VP of the WSOC, Jason Rowland, and an owner/booker from the club where the Satellite is taking place. There may be a 4th Judge who could be someone from the comedy club or a local headliner/celebrity
Can a comedian be accepted, potentially, into more than one Satellite?
Yes. We will watch all the videos for every comic for each Satellite and rank them for each Satellite. If you pick more than one Satellite, your video will be reviewed for each one. Even if you win a Satellite you can still be accepted into another Satellite. Again, the advantage to participating in more than one is that your highest score is retained no matter which Satellite you received it from, and it will be applied when the 101 comedians are selected for The Main Event.
If my schedule changes after I am selected to compete in a Satellite, can I request to perform on a different day?
There are no guarantees that a change can be made to the performance schedule. However, once the list is posted there may be comics who drop out; at that point we will try to accommodate scheduling conflicts.
If I want to register for a Satellite contest in the WSOC, do I just show up?
No. You must register for each Satellite via the WSOC website and do so by the specified deadlines. All information regarding specific locations and dates can be found at https://theworldseriesofcomedy.com/calendar.
Does signing up for a Satellite mean I audition in that town?
Yes & No. Picking a Satellite means that you will submit a video for acceptance into the contest held locally in that town at a specific comedy club. If you are picked as one of the top 40 from all the videos submitted for that Satellite, then you will need to travel to that comedy club and perform.
What do I do if I got picked for a Satellite?
The main thing you need to do is read the emails that you will get from us. We will send out several emails leading up to the Satellite, and in these emails you will find a lot of the answers you will need or want. You will be emailed a link to confirm your spot. If we do not get an email from you confirming your spot, then your spot will be given to the next comic in line. You must show up to the show on time. If you are late, you will lose your spot to perform.
What do I do if I don't get picked for a Satellite?
You should email [email protected] and ask for notes on your video submission. After reading the notes on your video, you can submit a new link for another video. LINK TO SUBMIT A NEW VIDEO. We will watch and score the updated video. We will use your highest scoring video for any other Satellites you picked and The Main Event. You can only resubmit a video link one time, so please make sure you take the time to read the notes and try to send us an updated video.