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If you two don't have any problems, then maybe it's the pole?
I find that kids start to interact with the show like that as soon as they start feeling like you are their friend. With any new friendship he wants to find our where he is in the pecking order with you. So he finds a sensitive area to poke you, one that will get a reaction and sees how long he can get away with it. Once you look hurt when he steals the punch line, he knows this is a working trigger and he now knows how to mess with you. This gives him higher status. And playing status games with someone that has 200 people watching must give quite the kick.
If you notice it happening in your show, look at him like a misbehaving dog. The second time it happens, treat him like your son or your little brother. In both these cases, don't act it, be it. Treat him like your older brothers treated you, or like you treated your younger ones. The worst thing you can do is give him the message that you are playing. You are not. Be direct. Use personal and hurtful heckle lines. "Sorry, Mom never gave him the attention he wanted, so he trys to get it from me." "Excuss me! You don't have a speaking part here." Blurt the first part of the sentence out to shock him and awaken his fight or flight reflexes. This will give him a different kind of kick. But after that if he still wants to fight, you have put pressure on him and hopefully won't be able to think straight. (and remember your lines.)
The people on poles don't have this problem because they work with high status characters. But it may also be the Australian training grounds. Status is important there.
I'll write some more later, on dealing with them off pitch.
I find that kids start to interact with the show like that as soon as they start feeling like you are their friend. With any new friendship he wants to find our where he is in the pecking order with you. So he finds a sensitive area to poke you, one that will get a reaction and sees how long he can get away with it. Once you look hurt when he steals the punch line, he knows this is a working trigger and he now knows how to mess with you. This gives him higher status. And playing status games with someone that has 200 people watching must give quite the kick.
If you notice it happening in your show, look at him like a misbehaving dog. The second time it happens, treat him like your son or your little brother. In both these cases, don't act it, be it. Treat him like your older brothers treated you, or like you treated your younger ones. The worst thing you can do is give him the message that you are playing. You are not. Be direct. Use personal and hurtful heckle lines. "Sorry, Mom never gave him the attention he wanted, so he trys to get it from me." "Excuss me! You don't have a speaking part here." Blurt the first part of the sentence out to shock him and awaken his fight or flight reflexes. This will give him a different kind of kick. But after that if he still wants to fight, you have put pressure on him and hopefully won't be able to think straight. (and remember your lines.)
The people on poles don't have this problem because they work with high status characters. But it may also be the Australian training grounds. Status is important there.
I'll write some more later, on dealing with them off pitch.
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