Sunday I didn't call into the comedy store because they had a special show and didn't think I'd get on. I checked out 2 open mics at the madhouse and ken club. both were completely dead. the first one had about 2 people in the crowd, and the other one had just about the same.
monday I got thrown into hosting the comedy store show. it was funish, but I didn't get paid, so that was no fun. the door guy said I did well with the hosting, but at this point i should be pretty good at hosting.
tuesday was at til two. it had been standing room only the last few weeks, and of course when i was on there was no one there. i thought of some new ideas, and voiced them out but didnt get much of a response. i did open with dancing which got some laughs.
wednesday was winston's. there was a few people there, which is nice. just hosted and that was about it. friday at winstons was more packed than i expected. forgoed my set, but made a little bit of money. saturday i worked at the store, and that was interesting. one of the features was the comic that was a huge douche when i went to the la store. i didn't interact with him, but he talked about being a trust fund kid and it slowly makes more sense.
there were some bigish name pop ins at the store tonight, hannibal burress being one of them. he was really funny. my set was blah. im pretty exhausted. worked til 1 last night, then 8 am til 4, then comedy store, now back at the radio station until 6 am. hungry and tired, sucky fucky
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Made some moula
Wednesday at Winston's was slow as expected. There was ten or so people there, so not a total loss.
Thursday I opened the show at the Comedy Store. The crowd was pretty amped and it was pretty packed. I tried to film but the mc brought me up so quickly I didn't have time to hit record. My set was pretty ok. Not great, but nothing to complain about.
Friday at Winston's was pretty packed. The headliner was taping a dvd/cd so she brought a good amount of people. Also, after she finished, I brought her boyfriend up to have him propose. That was somewhat nerve recking. Luckily she said yes and it went smoothly. I did a few minutes before the headliners. Tried two newer jokes, both got little response. I told one that got no response at all. I can't recall that ever happening. So there's a first for everything.
Saturday was a special show with Joey Diaz. This is the third one he has done there and they have all been packed. I opened/ hosted the show. My set was meh. I had been drinking earlier and I think that effected me slightly. I got some laughs, just not a strong set overall.
Thursday I opened the show at the Comedy Store. The crowd was pretty amped and it was pretty packed. I tried to film but the mc brought me up so quickly I didn't have time to hit record. My set was pretty ok. Not great, but nothing to complain about.
Friday at Winston's was pretty packed. The headliner was taping a dvd/cd so she brought a good amount of people. Also, after she finished, I brought her boyfriend up to have him propose. That was somewhat nerve recking. Luckily she said yes and it went smoothly. I did a few minutes before the headliners. Tried two newer jokes, both got little response. I told one that got no response at all. I can't recall that ever happening. So there's a first for everything.
Saturday was a special show with Joey Diaz. This is the third one he has done there and they have all been packed. I opened/ hosted the show. My set was meh. I had been drinking earlier and I think that effected me slightly. I got some laughs, just not a strong set overall.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Comedy Store madness
Well I've been at the Comedy Store the last few nights, got up twice. Sunday was a pretty packed house, but by the time I got up they were slightly drained. Also when I opened with hating my job, someone yelled at least you have a job. This threw me off as I've been trying to tape. Still don't have anything I'm really proud of. I think I can get a decent 6 minutes if I chop up a recent Comedy Store set. I still have a few more chances to tape, but I doubt I'll get anything by Jan 27.
Monday was my first day of work, and there was the open mic going on. There was a good amount of people there due to the holiday and one girl that brought most of the people. I've tried to book her at Winston's but she ignored by message. I refuse to bug her. She's somewhat attractive, but most of her friends are douchey. They laughed a bunch at her but didn't give much attention to anyone else. Once again kind of a weird set. Tried a new joke, and that did got a good response. Still can't get the same reaction from 2 new jokes that really did well the first time I tried them. Kind of annoying. There were a few first timers. One was a girl, somewhat attractive, who opened with "I didn't plan to come up tonight, hopefully none of you can see my panties." A black guy did say he really enjoyed me, which is always cool to hear.
Tonight I was working at the Store again. Didn't get to go up but did get to watch some undeserving comics go up. It was an L.A. produced show, from the same guy that put my on the Palace show a few weeks back. That was the first time I saw him in person. I didn't approach him, nor did he talk to me. He likely had no idea who I was. Either way, I basically just watched the show and picked up some glasses. The worst part is seating people at the start. It's just awkward having to tell people where to sit, and half the time they move anyways. The crowd was nice enough tonight but I can imagine on the weekends, it could be annoying.
Monday was my first day of work, and there was the open mic going on. There was a good amount of people there due to the holiday and one girl that brought most of the people. I've tried to book her at Winston's but she ignored by message. I refuse to bug her. She's somewhat attractive, but most of her friends are douchey. They laughed a bunch at her but didn't give much attention to anyone else. Once again kind of a weird set. Tried a new joke, and that did got a good response. Still can't get the same reaction from 2 new jokes that really did well the first time I tried them. Kind of annoying. There were a few first timers. One was a girl, somewhat attractive, who opened with "I didn't plan to come up tonight, hopefully none of you can see my panties." A black guy did say he really enjoyed me, which is always cool to hear.
Tonight I was working at the Store again. Didn't get to go up but did get to watch some undeserving comics go up. It was an L.A. produced show, from the same guy that put my on the Palace show a few weeks back. That was the first time I saw him in person. I didn't approach him, nor did he talk to me. He likely had no idea who I was. Either way, I basically just watched the show and picked up some glasses. The worst part is seating people at the start. It's just awkward having to tell people where to sit, and half the time they move anyways. The crowd was nice enough tonight but I can imagine on the weekends, it could be annoying.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Streak has come to an end
Had another week full of shows. Wednesday had a triple header. First had Winston's. I didn't do a set, although it was a pretty decent turnout. There were a few no shows but had a couple out of towners fill in.
Next up was the Comedy Palace. I randomly got asked to feature on the show. Not expected too much and when I got there, my expectations were met. About 15 or so scattered audience members. They were listening but it's tough to put a lot of energy into that type of crowd. I tried a few new jokes, and reworked some older stuff. It was meh. I did 20 minutes which in itself is a success. I then headed over to Bar Eleven. Pretty dead there as well. Tried out some new stuff, but at this point I was slightly drunk.
Thursday was the Comedy Store. I was last on the list, but the whole crowd was still there which is nice. The guy before me was an L.A. guy that I see frequently, so either he lives in S.D. or isn't get much time up there. He did pretty well, so I never know how it's gonna go for me. I felt I did pretty well, had an interesting interaction with a crowd member for the last half of my set. A guy told me after I was in his top 3, and someone else asked if I had any videos on youtube. Always a cool feeling.
Friday was Winston's. It was a decent turnout from start to finish. The show started off slowly as always, but as the talent improved so did the audience reactions. My set was a roller coaster. Started off choppy as it normally does there. I need to start doing a solid joke up front. I did try a new joke that went pretty well. The newer jokes were decent. So hard to gauge from that place. I can't complain too much, made a little money and got some laughs.
All in all, I got over an hour of stage time this week. Hour and a half if you count hosting duties. That's more than most of San Diego, so that's a good thing. I start working at the Comedy Store tomorrow. I'm hoping I won't hate it that much. The days I got were kinda lame, I was hoping for Sunday or Thursdays, days I'd be there anyways, but I got Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday. So now if all goes to plan I'll be driving there 5 days a week, and the off days I'll be going to Winston's the other 2 days. Hopefully it doesn't burn me out. But if this is something I want to do with my life, it's time to start taking it seriously. Working there will basically pay for my gas money. I still need to find another paying gig, because I don't want to have to play poker anymore.
Next up was the Comedy Palace. I randomly got asked to feature on the show. Not expected too much and when I got there, my expectations were met. About 15 or so scattered audience members. They were listening but it's tough to put a lot of energy into that type of crowd. I tried a few new jokes, and reworked some older stuff. It was meh. I did 20 minutes which in itself is a success. I then headed over to Bar Eleven. Pretty dead there as well. Tried out some new stuff, but at this point I was slightly drunk.
Thursday was the Comedy Store. I was last on the list, but the whole crowd was still there which is nice. The guy before me was an L.A. guy that I see frequently, so either he lives in S.D. or isn't get much time up there. He did pretty well, so I never know how it's gonna go for me. I felt I did pretty well, had an interesting interaction with a crowd member for the last half of my set. A guy told me after I was in his top 3, and someone else asked if I had any videos on youtube. Always a cool feeling.
Friday was Winston's. It was a decent turnout from start to finish. The show started off slowly as always, but as the talent improved so did the audience reactions. My set was a roller coaster. Started off choppy as it normally does there. I need to start doing a solid joke up front. I did try a new joke that went pretty well. The newer jokes were decent. So hard to gauge from that place. I can't complain too much, made a little money and got some laughs.
All in all, I got over an hour of stage time this week. Hour and a half if you count hosting duties. That's more than most of San Diego, so that's a good thing. I start working at the Comedy Store tomorrow. I'm hoping I won't hate it that much. The days I got were kinda lame, I was hoping for Sunday or Thursdays, days I'd be there anyways, but I got Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday. So now if all goes to plan I'll be driving there 5 days a week, and the off days I'll be going to Winston's the other 2 days. Hopefully it doesn't burn me out. But if this is something I want to do with my life, it's time to start taking it seriously. Working there will basically pay for my gas money. I still need to find another paying gig, because I don't want to have to play poker anymore.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
I'm a comic again
Lotta shows going on. Sunday at the store was meh. Did a lot of the same jokes I did on Saturday. I went up second, which is a change from 2nd to last. The crowd was a little tight. The new jokes I did on Saturday did not go as well on Sunday. It was slightly awkward.
Monday was the first round of the contest. When I looked at the lineup, I wasn't too worried about advancing. I also did not expect much of a crowd. Well when I got there, I was pleasantly surprised with the turn out. My set was meh. Started off really well, but trailed off towards the end. Did most of the same jokes I did Sunday. The new stuff once again went awkwardly ok. I wasn't sure whether or not I'd advance. I ended up advancing. They don't say what place people come in. I asked the host but he didn't tell me. Oh well. One of the comics I've done a few shows with brought up a couple of times about me doing the same jokes. He didn't mean anything by it, but I took slight offense. This is the first time, in my near 3 years of comedy, that I've done the same jokes, so often. I am performing more in the past few weeks than I have since I've started as well.
Jokes: Smokey, kool aid, reality mash up, keystone lonely, dr keggles, dr vibrator, cocaine
Tonight I randomly got asked to do Lestat's. One of the best rooms in San Diego. I started off really, really well. Once again trailed off towards the end, and didn't end strong. Once again, trying the new jokes. A few of the comics said I did well, but who knows whether or not they were being sincere.
Monday was the first round of the contest. When I looked at the lineup, I wasn't too worried about advancing. I also did not expect much of a crowd. Well when I got there, I was pleasantly surprised with the turn out. My set was meh. Started off really well, but trailed off towards the end. Did most of the same jokes I did Sunday. The new stuff once again went awkwardly ok. I wasn't sure whether or not I'd advance. I ended up advancing. They don't say what place people come in. I asked the host but he didn't tell me. Oh well. One of the comics I've done a few shows with brought up a couple of times about me doing the same jokes. He didn't mean anything by it, but I took slight offense. This is the first time, in my near 3 years of comedy, that I've done the same jokes, so often. I am performing more in the past few weeks than I have since I've started as well.
Jokes: Smokey, kool aid, reality mash up, keystone lonely, dr keggles, dr vibrator, cocaine
Tonight I randomly got asked to do Lestat's. One of the best rooms in San Diego. I started off really, really well. Once again trailed off towards the end, and didn't end strong. Once again, trying the new jokes. A few of the comics said I did well, but who knows whether or not they were being sincere.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Busy week of shows
So the Winston's contest launched to a small turnout. One of the people I expected to bring people, brought one person. There was about 8 or so humans. There was a crazy heckler there for a half hour or so. Yelling Easy E, Ice Cube, and The bartender is hot!! Very strange. The comics he did harass handled it pretty well. Had 3 no shows. Two people let me know, one just didn't show at all. Kinda of angers me as there were still people that wanted to join. I expect to be the same shady turn out for this week as well.
Thursday was the Store. I was scheduled 2nd to last. I went up, started off pretty solid, but lost the audience somewhat. It was tough as there was a lot of talking but I think it was more people talking to the waitresses about closing their tabs. I tried to just chug along, but it was some what distracting. I would say it went ok, just nothing special.
Friday was Winston's. The headliner brought a lot of people. The show started late as the sound booth was recently moved. The crowd talked a lot during most people's sets. I decided to not go up.
Saturday I had a show in a hotel. I wasn't expecting much of a crowd and was slightly hesitant to have one of my coworkers go to the show. It turned out to be a pretty decent turnout. 30 or so but they were quiet. Definately not an easy crowd but I was happy with my set. Had some people say I did the best on the show. The headliner was an L.A. guy, been on Comedy Central, but really wasn't great. I guess he was complaining that he didn't want to be there, and even said it on stage. I don't get why people accept a booking if they're going to half ass it.
Poker is going god awful. Lost about 3k in the last month. Just getting so unlucky it's really emotionally draining. I have lost 1k online playing crazy omaha. But most of the losses are huge pots lost due to rediculous bad beats on the river.
Thursday was the Store. I was scheduled 2nd to last. I went up, started off pretty solid, but lost the audience somewhat. It was tough as there was a lot of talking but I think it was more people talking to the waitresses about closing their tabs. I tried to just chug along, but it was some what distracting. I would say it went ok, just nothing special.
Friday was Winston's. The headliner brought a lot of people. The show started late as the sound booth was recently moved. The crowd talked a lot during most people's sets. I decided to not go up.
Saturday I had a show in a hotel. I wasn't expecting much of a crowd and was slightly hesitant to have one of my coworkers go to the show. It turned out to be a pretty decent turnout. 30 or so but they were quiet. Definately not an easy crowd but I was happy with my set. Had some people say I did the best on the show. The headliner was an L.A. guy, been on Comedy Central, but really wasn't great. I guess he was complaining that he didn't want to be there, and even said it on stage. I don't get why people accept a booking if they're going to half ass it.
Poker is going god awful. Lost about 3k in the last month. Just getting so unlucky it's really emotionally draining. I have lost 1k online playing crazy omaha. But most of the losses are huge pots lost due to rediculous bad beats on the river.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Comedy Store, meh
So I went up second to last last night. Followed an Asain and a guy that talked about cumming on girls for 8 minutes. When I arrived there was a good amount of people, and it seemed like everyone was killing. I was slightly more nervous than usual for some reason. Anyways I started off kinda rough, and somewhat got out of the funk but I definately didn't do that great. I think the crowd was slightly tired/ dumb or maybe I just wasn't funny. I think I was talking a little too fast and stumbling over my words a little bit. I was jumping around and just not flowing nicely. I find myself really trying to move around, but it just didn't feel natural.
I think I need to start writting a set again. I'm just getting real choppy and not feeling great. Granted it has been working nicely at the Store, but this week just didn't feel good. I tried to end strong but just didn't work in my favor. Couple jokes hit slightly, just not a good finish.
I was told that I can now call in for Wednesdays and Thursdays at the Store which is cool and a nice accomplishment. Took a long time, nearly 3 years, but I'm finally getting some of the credit I worked hard for. I don't think I'll go on Wednesdays very often as we have the Winston's contest, but Thursdays are ususally good shows. Unfortunately I'm on the "cut list," meaning if there are a lot of L.A. pop ins, which there usually is, I'd get bumped. Either way, every other week or so would be nice. I think maybe I should start doing the same 8 minutes for the next month to try to get a good tape to send to Just for Laughs.
I think I need to start writting a set again. I'm just getting real choppy and not feeling great. Granted it has been working nicely at the Store, but this week just didn't feel good. I tried to end strong but just didn't work in my favor. Couple jokes hit slightly, just not a good finish.
I was told that I can now call in for Wednesdays and Thursdays at the Store which is cool and a nice accomplishment. Took a long time, nearly 3 years, but I'm finally getting some of the credit I worked hard for. I don't think I'll go on Wednesdays very often as we have the Winston's contest, but Thursdays are ususally good shows. Unfortunately I'm on the "cut list," meaning if there are a lot of L.A. pop ins, which there usually is, I'd get bumped. Either way, every other week or so would be nice. I think maybe I should start doing the same 8 minutes for the next month to try to get a good tape to send to Just for Laughs.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Time to recap
Well I've been ignoring the blog for reasons I can't really explain. Been focusing on girlfriend and poker. But, I've had more than enough time to write the blog. As far as what has happened. I was passed at the Comedy Store in the middle of November. It is a cool thing as I'm only the 3rd person that has been passed since I started. The other two had been doing comedy longer than me, but both were influential to my start.
I've been going last on the Sunday nights at the Comedy Store. For the most part the crowd is pretty small by the time I get up, but they listen. Not the easiest sell but I can't complain. I did a really good show there at the beginning of the month. I even had a seasoned comic talk to me after. She has a few big credits and travels doing comedy. Although she was slightly drunk, even admitting the fact. She asked me if I had an agent. That I had a "look for comedy" and that she doesn't say that to many people. I felt pretty flattered. I'm still contemplating my plans for present and future with comedy.
I was approached about working at the Comedy Store a few weeks ago. I wasn't overly excited, but if I was going to be there, might as well make a few extra bucks. Well I followed up last week, and they ended up hiring someone else. And although this comic is a nice guy, and solid comic, he's been doing comedy years less than me. I've been passed a few times already, but I haven't really been proactive about working there. People are telling me it's likely for the best I don't work there, but it would be nice to add that "credit." I'm just going to keep plugging away and make my way up being funny.
Craziest story of the last few months happened at the Comedy Palace. A place I never really enjoy performing at, and the place I failed to place in the finals. And got knocked out in the first round of the next contest. Anyways, the week before I got a text from a number I was unaware of. I had a feeling who it was but wasn't positive. My speculations were correct. He is a guy I had messaged a year ago about getting spots at the Palace. I was referred by a couple comic friends. Didn't hear back for a year, then bang, offered a weekend of shows. I declined Friday, but took Thursday and 2 shows Saturday. I get there to a decent sized crowd. The comic that opened the show was a local guy, that mainly only does crowd wor. I don't agree with this style, esp to open a show and with a crowd that is listening. It ruins the flow of the show, and the crowd expects everyone to do that. He was doing his normal schtick, but it was not going too well. Anyways I see the headliner light him, which I learn later was an early light. I hear them converse and the headliner basically says, "I do crowd work, so you can't." Local comic says I didn't know that, you should have told me. It was a nice enough encounter. I saw I was suppose to do 7, but the headliner came up to me right before and told me to do 10. I asked if there was a light, and he said "You're a professional, you'll get it." Ok then. I struggled off the bat, and once again had a rough set. The rest of the comics on there did mindless, hacky jokes. Which of course the moronic, older crowd ate up. There was even a table of 50 somethings holding up cards, ranking comics 6,7,8,9, etc. I was told only one woman scored me a "6." Oh well. I stayed for the whole show to watch 2 of the worst comics I've ever witnessed. One was a buff former Marine that unveiled a Charlie Sheen shirt as a punch line and talked about "recent" (things happened sometime in the last year) events. The headliner did hacky, rehearsed crowd work, about blacks, asians, mexicans, etc.
Fast forward to Saturday shows. I find out I'm only doing 5 minutes. I actually had a pretty good set. I was just going to leave but figured I'd do the professional thing and stick around. Anyways at 915 the crappy marine comic, who've I've never spoke to came up to me and another comic on the show and said we were not on the 9 show. I was like WTF, why did I stay all this time. He said he apologized but management told him their was too many comics on, BS. He even said he offered to cut his time back, BS. I once again asked why someone couldn't have told us that 2 hours again. I said whatever and went to talk to the headliner. He was sitting with his family, yeah kids and whatnot. I forgot there were kids 8 and under running around, legal I bet. Anyways I ask if I could speak to him a moment so we weren't in front of family. I ask him why I couldn't have been told 2 hours ago. He says he's a headliner and doesn't need to talk to anyone. Ha, excuse me. Then he goes into I brought no one to the show on Thursday. He said the guy that texting me said I was bringing 30 or so. I told him I've never met texter, and that I'm a comedian not a bringer. I once again say why couldn't you have told me two hours ago and walk away. I start talking to the owner near the ticket booth, and the headliner runs over and starts yelling, "don't talk shit about me." I say I'm not. At this point the local comic he called out for doing crowd work gets in his face, saying he was tired of being treated like shit all weekend. They exchange words then the headliner tells us to take it outside so he could knock us out. The owner takes him outside. I walk around a bit, then tell the headliner, who at this point is hyperventilating. I say no hard feelings, just wanted to know sooner and not have my time wasted. His gf comes out to check on him. I just walk away.
I hear about the local comic called him out some more after I left. I see said local comic the next night at Von's. He tells me that after they went back and forth telling each other they wouldn't perform if the other was on the show. Anyways as local comic was walking away the headliner tracked him down and said, "I really respect you. You got a lot of balls, no one has stood up to me before. I want to take you on tour with me. When I saw you Thursday I was seeing a young me. I shouldn't have taken your buddy off the show." It's so crazy how much he flipped his story. Me and said local comic I wouldn't say are great friends, and I think he was handed a lot of things. I gained respect for him after that, and wish him the best. He is making the move to L.A. shortly. I think for him it isn't the right move. He gets so much prime stage time, and never really uses it to work on jokes. He does so much crowd work, that I believe he will come into the same problem he faced with the L.A. headliner. It throws off the flow of a show to open with crowd work. Hopefully it works out.
Winston's has been hit or miss. The finals of the latest contest was probably the best show I've seen since I took over. Over 100 people paid, on top of 40 or so comics there. Everyone did well, and the winner definitely deserved it. The Friday shows have been somewhat slow, but that could be due to the holidays. I'm looking forward to the shows in January. As far as the contest. We will be moving to Wednesdays starting next week. I think it could be a good thing with the street fair going on at the same time. I think parking may be a problem, but people arn't going to drive down there and just leave. I've been performing a lot more on the Friday shows which is always a struggle but it's good to challenge myself.
That's it for now. I will try to get back to a show by show recap or at least a weekly recap.
I've been going last on the Sunday nights at the Comedy Store. For the most part the crowd is pretty small by the time I get up, but they listen. Not the easiest sell but I can't complain. I did a really good show there at the beginning of the month. I even had a seasoned comic talk to me after. She has a few big credits and travels doing comedy. Although she was slightly drunk, even admitting the fact. She asked me if I had an agent. That I had a "look for comedy" and that she doesn't say that to many people. I felt pretty flattered. I'm still contemplating my plans for present and future with comedy.
I was approached about working at the Comedy Store a few weeks ago. I wasn't overly excited, but if I was going to be there, might as well make a few extra bucks. Well I followed up last week, and they ended up hiring someone else. And although this comic is a nice guy, and solid comic, he's been doing comedy years less than me. I've been passed a few times already, but I haven't really been proactive about working there. People are telling me it's likely for the best I don't work there, but it would be nice to add that "credit." I'm just going to keep plugging away and make my way up being funny.
Craziest story of the last few months happened at the Comedy Palace. A place I never really enjoy performing at, and the place I failed to place in the finals. And got knocked out in the first round of the next contest. Anyways, the week before I got a text from a number I was unaware of. I had a feeling who it was but wasn't positive. My speculations were correct. He is a guy I had messaged a year ago about getting spots at the Palace. I was referred by a couple comic friends. Didn't hear back for a year, then bang, offered a weekend of shows. I declined Friday, but took Thursday and 2 shows Saturday. I get there to a decent sized crowd. The comic that opened the show was a local guy, that mainly only does crowd wor. I don't agree with this style, esp to open a show and with a crowd that is listening. It ruins the flow of the show, and the crowd expects everyone to do that. He was doing his normal schtick, but it was not going too well. Anyways I see the headliner light him, which I learn later was an early light. I hear them converse and the headliner basically says, "I do crowd work, so you can't." Local comic says I didn't know that, you should have told me. It was a nice enough encounter. I saw I was suppose to do 7, but the headliner came up to me right before and told me to do 10. I asked if there was a light, and he said "You're a professional, you'll get it." Ok then. I struggled off the bat, and once again had a rough set. The rest of the comics on there did mindless, hacky jokes. Which of course the moronic, older crowd ate up. There was even a table of 50 somethings holding up cards, ranking comics 6,7,8,9, etc. I was told only one woman scored me a "6." Oh well. I stayed for the whole show to watch 2 of the worst comics I've ever witnessed. One was a buff former Marine that unveiled a Charlie Sheen shirt as a punch line and talked about "recent" (things happened sometime in the last year) events. The headliner did hacky, rehearsed crowd work, about blacks, asians, mexicans, etc.
Fast forward to Saturday shows. I find out I'm only doing 5 minutes. I actually had a pretty good set. I was just going to leave but figured I'd do the professional thing and stick around. Anyways at 915 the crappy marine comic, who've I've never spoke to came up to me and another comic on the show and said we were not on the 9 show. I was like WTF, why did I stay all this time. He said he apologized but management told him their was too many comics on, BS. He even said he offered to cut his time back, BS. I once again asked why someone couldn't have told us that 2 hours again. I said whatever and went to talk to the headliner. He was sitting with his family, yeah kids and whatnot. I forgot there were kids 8 and under running around, legal I bet. Anyways I ask if I could speak to him a moment so we weren't in front of family. I ask him why I couldn't have been told 2 hours ago. He says he's a headliner and doesn't need to talk to anyone. Ha, excuse me. Then he goes into I brought no one to the show on Thursday. He said the guy that texting me said I was bringing 30 or so. I told him I've never met texter, and that I'm a comedian not a bringer. I once again say why couldn't you have told me two hours ago and walk away. I start talking to the owner near the ticket booth, and the headliner runs over and starts yelling, "don't talk shit about me." I say I'm not. At this point the local comic he called out for doing crowd work gets in his face, saying he was tired of being treated like shit all weekend. They exchange words then the headliner tells us to take it outside so he could knock us out. The owner takes him outside. I walk around a bit, then tell the headliner, who at this point is hyperventilating. I say no hard feelings, just wanted to know sooner and not have my time wasted. His gf comes out to check on him. I just walk away.
I hear about the local comic called him out some more after I left. I see said local comic the next night at Von's. He tells me that after they went back and forth telling each other they wouldn't perform if the other was on the show. Anyways as local comic was walking away the headliner tracked him down and said, "I really respect you. You got a lot of balls, no one has stood up to me before. I want to take you on tour with me. When I saw you Thursday I was seeing a young me. I shouldn't have taken your buddy off the show." It's so crazy how much he flipped his story. Me and said local comic I wouldn't say are great friends, and I think he was handed a lot of things. I gained respect for him after that, and wish him the best. He is making the move to L.A. shortly. I think for him it isn't the right move. He gets so much prime stage time, and never really uses it to work on jokes. He does so much crowd work, that I believe he will come into the same problem he faced with the L.A. headliner. It throws off the flow of a show to open with crowd work. Hopefully it works out.
Winston's has been hit or miss. The finals of the latest contest was probably the best show I've seen since I took over. Over 100 people paid, on top of 40 or so comics there. Everyone did well, and the winner definitely deserved it. The Friday shows have been somewhat slow, but that could be due to the holidays. I'm looking forward to the shows in January. As far as the contest. We will be moving to Wednesdays starting next week. I think it could be a good thing with the street fair going on at the same time. I think parking may be a problem, but people arn't going to drive down there and just leave. I've been performing a lot more on the Friday shows which is always a struggle but it's good to challenge myself.
That's it for now. I will try to get back to a show by show recap or at least a weekly recap.
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