Unlearning The Spotlight 3: Unlearning “Bigger, Louder, Funnier Is Better”

When most people imagine an Emcee, they picture the entertainer who walks on stage, grabs the mic, and fills the room with rousing energy and raucous laughter. The assumption is simple: Bigger is better. Louder is better. Funnier is better.

But here’s the thing: those qualities alone don’t make an event successful. In fact, when overdone, they can actually work against the stated purpose of the gathering.

From the Emcee’s Perspective

I’ve been in rooms where the Emcee has turned every introduction into a comedy routine. The audience laughed to begin with. But soon, the focus shifted away from the award recipients, the speakers, and the event itself. The spotlight was hijacked by the performance.

A skilled event host knows that the real craft lies not in being the loudest voice in the room, but in understanding when to amplify energy and when to pull it back. Sometimes the most powerful move you can make on stage is not another punchline but a well-timed pause, a moment of silence, or a gentle acknowledgment – a moment of genuine realness that connects deeply with the audience.

Subtlety and timing create space for people to feel, not just react. And listening (paying attention) to what’s happening in the room allows an Emcee to respond with authenticity rather than pre-rehearsed patter.

From the Event Organiser’s Perspective

As an organiser, your goals extend beyond entertainment. You want your message to land, your people to feel celebrated, and your audience to leave inspired. Hiring an Emcee who goes for “bigger, louder, funnier” at every turn can seriously undermine those goals.

Consider the CEO who is about to deliver a heartfelt vision speech. If the Emcee has just finished a stand-up-style monologue, the audience may be primed for humour instead of reflection. Or think about an awards evening where winners are rushed onto stage after a barrage of jokes – their achievements risk being overshadowed by punchlines.

A well-chosen Emcee doesn’t compete with the content. They enhance it. They know how to hold energy without overwhelming it, and they understand that the event’s purpose, not their performance, should be the star of the show.

The Power of Subtlety

Subtlety doesn’t mean being boring or timid. It means reading the moment. It means noticing the nervousness in a speaker’s voice and offering reassurance instead of another gag. It means letting an audience sit in a moment of pride or applause instead of cutting it short.

When used well, subtlety and responsiveness can transform an event from a string of segments into a connected, meaningful journey.

Homework for Emcees

Next time you attend an event (as a guest), pay attention not to the speaker, but to the audience.

Notice their body language, energy shifts, and reactions. When do they lean in? When do they disengage? Do they react in a way you would expect to what was said from the stage?

Write down three observations afterwards. This practice sharpens your ability to read a room – an essential skill for an Emcee.

The Mindset Shift

Unlearning “bigger, louder, funnier is better” is about reframing what success looks like. For Emcees, it’s realising that mastery lies in subtlety, timing, and listening. For organisers, it’s choosing someone who knows how to hold a room without dominating it.

Because in the end, the goal isn’t for people to walk away saying, “The host was hilarious.” The goal is for them to say, “That event was so memorable.”

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This is the third chapter in my 17-part series, Unlearning The Spotlight – The journey of the Emcee from showmanship to authentic, high-touch facilitation. Each week, I’ll share fresh insights into what makes a truly effective Emcee in today’s evolving event landscape. If you’d like to follow along, subscribe to my blog on my website. At the end of the series, you’ll receive all 17 chapters collected in a free PDF mini-book, “Unlearning The Spotlight.”

👉If you’re planning an event and want to ensure your message and your people take centre stage, let’s connect. Arrange a 20-minute video call with me to explore how I can help your event achieve its goals.