Doug Chadwick wrote: I'm not accusing anyone Vic. I'm sure you run your events well but Phil's post shows that things may be different elsewhere.

What Phil's post showed was that on an unexpectedly busy night at a club the MC might have to start proceedings early and make sure that those who turned up early got on and even more importantly, that the audience enjoyed themselves (as Vic Smith emphasises).
I'm sorry for Phil but he could well have been edged out at my club if he'd turned up late on an open evening and not made it plain to the MC that he had to catch a bus by whatever time it was.
I can understand why Doug likes the blackboard system because he can pick his spot but it has its drawbacks. For example, you might get half a dozen singer-songwriter guitarists one after the other followed by half a dozen long unaccompanied ballad singers.
It's fairer on the audience to mix them up a bit.
Doug's remark about cronies is unpleasant. The MC may indeed have favourite acts because he knows they can be relied upon for a rousing opening song or to provide a bit of light relief after a heavy murder ballad or to give a good finish (Phil's story shows that the MC at the club did well to give the polished group a spot that brought the first half to a good close -- and no one else had to follow them).
I've been bumped off the singers list many times because I was late or there wasn't room and I'm sure it will happen again.