Seriously getting so tired of the politics of comedy. I've never been the suck up type. I don't like guys for the most part. I can't stand arrogance. That's all you see and feel in a comedy club filled with "comics."
I tried to get on the alternates list for the Comedy Store tonight. Welp the dude that picked me up was late and I was last on the list. I didn't get on. So crazy I did 20 minutes out front of people that hated me and made 1000$ a week ago, and now I can't even get 3 fucking minutes.
After the open mic is San Diego's best show. Use best very loosely. The guy that opens the show is the same dude every week, same fricking jokes. He actaully stole a joke that Carlos Mencia stole from Ari Shaffear (sp?). All the guys on the show arn't really that funny. I found out as I was leaving that a comic that started about 6 months after me will be joining the staff. He's a funny guy, but he hasn't been doing it as long as me nor is he better than me. But he sucks up and is there every night. Clearly he's more dedicated than me. Is being funny ever going to mean anything? Honestly. I know I'm not the funniest comic, but given the right opportunity I will be solid.
I'm way too nice at Winston's. I always give people time. I even gave up my own time the other night so a new comic could tell jokes. I'm going to start being a sleezy dick from now on. I guess you have to be a person that only cares about themselves to make it in comedy.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Little Better at Winston's
Did pretty well last night. Didn't really tell that many jokes, mostly crowd work. I tried a new jokes, and a joke I haven't done in awhile. They both did pretty ok. Every week is a struggle at Winston's. I really think we need to cut the show down to 2 hours. I like being able to give everyone time, but the show is suffering. The San Diego comedy scene is almost getting too full. There are so many places to perform but for the most part all the shows are either bringer or crap. I really can't promote anymore. I've just got burnt out with it. It's like being a salesman. You can only take rejection so many times. It's frustrating that some of my friends and coworkers haven't even been to one of my shows. Kind of discouraging.
I guess I can start hanging outside the Comedy Store to show my dedication to comeedy, but honestly I'm not dedicated enough to do that. I was definately a bigger fan of stand up before I started. But like many things, it's no longer a hobby, it's more a job. The grind of telling jokes for no money or thanks is draining. Gotta keep plugging away I guess...
Jokes: How are you, names, directions, can i be honest, intervention, one thing led to another, oregon trail, home depot, nintendo, tony the tiger
I guess I can start hanging outside the Comedy Store to show my dedication to comeedy, but honestly I'm not dedicated enough to do that. I was definately a bigger fan of stand up before I started. But like many things, it's no longer a hobby, it's more a job. The grind of telling jokes for no money or thanks is draining. Gotta keep plugging away I guess...
Jokes: How are you, names, directions, can i be honest, intervention, one thing led to another, oregon trail, home depot, nintendo, tony the tiger
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Ouch...
Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words will crush your soul. So had a show when we got off the plane last night. Going in I was pretty sure it was going to be rough. Getting there I knew it was going to be awful. I had done comedy there before. It is just not set up for comedy. It's much too large and the lighting is terrible.
I went up second and basically winged it. I had no set planned or set list. Just went up there and tried to be funny. I did ok considering the circumstances. When you're on stage and are able to see the crowd, all your eyes pick up is the people not laughing. It's good to make a few people chuckle, but last night there was a 60 year old lady just staring down the comics. Not a smile, a smurk, nothing. She was so out of place, but she was there for the blues band after. It interests me how some people can hate comedy so much. I admit I rarely laugh, and that is why I either sit in the back or go outside. We all told our jokes and got the f out of there. One dude said we did well and that's all I can ask for.
Well onto the title of the post. I knew I didn't do that well at the college show. My dad said after, "what was wrong with you." When I asked my sister about the show she said, "we've had worse." Clearly I know I stumbled over my words and was kind of nervous. Smaller crowds that aren't very receptive make me more nervous then doing big crowds. With me doing new jokes and different jokes so often I am not comfortabble with a lot of my material. Since I was young I kind of had trouble flubbing up my words. My brain is always working so on occasion I'll combine two words at once and I'll sound like a moron. I did this a few times at NEC, I even screwed up one of my staple jokes at the Gold Room. Anyways. Some girl posted on Billy's wall that he was the best. It doesn't really bother me, he will always do better than me with a dumb crowd. Not a shot at him, we simply have a different style of jokes. Anyways, I reply to the post saying, "A little of me died inside." Totally joking, she responds, "Sorry, you couldn't even talk, too many drinks." Well considering I had 2 beers, that was not the case. She doesn't understand the mind of a comic and how much that truly hurt. Also my sister tells me there's some kind of controvery about our show, someone recorded the show, and they feel they need to screen comics better. I'd like to get to the bottom of it, and figure what that is about. Anyways, not really feeling that great about comedy at the moment. Sad as I should feel accomplished with what we did, but it's the total opposite.
I went up second and basically winged it. I had no set planned or set list. Just went up there and tried to be funny. I did ok considering the circumstances. When you're on stage and are able to see the crowd, all your eyes pick up is the people not laughing. It's good to make a few people chuckle, but last night there was a 60 year old lady just staring down the comics. Not a smile, a smurk, nothing. She was so out of place, but she was there for the blues band after. It interests me how some people can hate comedy so much. I admit I rarely laugh, and that is why I either sit in the back or go outside. We all told our jokes and got the f out of there. One dude said we did well and that's all I can ask for.
Well onto the title of the post. I knew I didn't do that well at the college show. My dad said after, "what was wrong with you." When I asked my sister about the show she said, "we've had worse." Clearly I know I stumbled over my words and was kind of nervous. Smaller crowds that aren't very receptive make me more nervous then doing big crowds. With me doing new jokes and different jokes so often I am not comfortabble with a lot of my material. Since I was young I kind of had trouble flubbing up my words. My brain is always working so on occasion I'll combine two words at once and I'll sound like a moron. I did this a few times at NEC, I even screwed up one of my staple jokes at the Gold Room. Anyways. Some girl posted on Billy's wall that he was the best. It doesn't really bother me, he will always do better than me with a dumb crowd. Not a shot at him, we simply have a different style of jokes. Anyways, I reply to the post saying, "A little of me died inside." Totally joking, she responds, "Sorry, you couldn't even talk, too many drinks." Well considering I had 2 beers, that was not the case. She doesn't understand the mind of a comic and how much that truly hurt. Also my sister tells me there's some kind of controvery about our show, someone recorded the show, and they feel they need to screen comics better. I'd like to get to the bottom of it, and figure what that is about. Anyways, not really feeling that great about comedy at the moment. Sad as I should feel accomplished with what we did, but it's the total opposite.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Tour complete
Well the tour is over. I am now sitting on a plane reflecting it all. I’m actually sitting next to a bitter old women that didn’t want the complimentary drink or snacks. I asked if she could get it and give it to me, which she replied, “No thanks.” She also has her sandles off and her disgusting snaggle toes are resting on the wall. There should be a law against exposed feet. I’d much rather legalize topless women at beaches and ban old broads from being able to show off their nasty vainey toes. Every peanut I ate tasted like I was eating her toes nails.
Anyways the tour. Last night was rough. It was the first time I really found myself sweating on stage and stretching for laughs. I had planned to do 30, but once I got to the venue I didn’t plan to do much more than 20. I ended up doing closer to 18. The place was really small, and not really a good spot for comedy. The kids were listening but it was tough to get them to laugh. A lot of them were there just so they got credit for attending the event. 4 people in the back actually said “Finally we can get out of this shit hole.”
It was basically like telling jokes in a classroom as these kids never have been to a comedy club. Basic things like, “how are you feeling tonight,” “we’re good thank you sir.” No applause or cheering. They really had no energy. All the lights were on and you can see all the faces not laughing. I had forgot my camera at the hotel room. At first I was sad, but once I got there I knew I wouldn’t have gotten much of a tape anyways.
About half way through my set I gave up on the set material and tried to do crowd work. This worked out much better. I need to do this more often. I just figured with getting paid so much I should bring the jokes. At the end of the day my job is to entertain. I need to be able to adjust on the fly. I’ll give that set a C-.
I would definitely rate the tour a success. It was great getting to know the guys on a different level. I’m anxious to see how this will affect our friendships moving forward. There is talk of doing a show in Texas, and working on recording a professional tape to pass out to colleges and clubs. I think we all approach comedy different, but we have a connection now. Comedy has to be taken one step at a time, and I think this trip was a step in the right direction.
Anyways the tour. Last night was rough. It was the first time I really found myself sweating on stage and stretching for laughs. I had planned to do 30, but once I got to the venue I didn’t plan to do much more than 20. I ended up doing closer to 18. The place was really small, and not really a good spot for comedy. The kids were listening but it was tough to get them to laugh. A lot of them were there just so they got credit for attending the event. 4 people in the back actually said “Finally we can get out of this shit hole.”
It was basically like telling jokes in a classroom as these kids never have been to a comedy club. Basic things like, “how are you feeling tonight,” “we’re good thank you sir.” No applause or cheering. They really had no energy. All the lights were on and you can see all the faces not laughing. I had forgot my camera at the hotel room. At first I was sad, but once I got there I knew I wouldn’t have gotten much of a tape anyways.
About half way through my set I gave up on the set material and tried to do crowd work. This worked out much better. I need to do this more often. I just figured with getting paid so much I should bring the jokes. At the end of the day my job is to entertain. I need to be able to adjust on the fly. I’ll give that set a C-.
I would definitely rate the tour a success. It was great getting to know the guys on a different level. I’m anxious to see how this will affect our friendships moving forward. There is talk of doing a show in Texas, and working on recording a professional tape to pass out to colleges and clubs. I think we all approach comedy different, but we have a connection now. Comedy has to be taken one step at a time, and I think this trip was a step in the right direction.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Gold Room Complete yo!!
Amazing turn out. There was a good amount of people from my family that showed up. A lot were the family members that chat with my mom but I've had maybe 5 convo's with them, and how are you is the main focus of the convo. I was happy they all came. I was kind of disappointed the fraternity didn't promote a little more. They had an opportunity to make a good amount of money but didn't bring anyone. I comped them all so they didn't pay anything but they could have made more.
I was stressing a little bit before the show. I don't like having the pressure of having to pay people and figure out who deserves what. The guy from Maine was pretty solid. Don't think he promoted at all but I kicked him a little money. I gave the fraternity a little bit, and then gave the guys money. I left a little for myself. Not much considering I had to reserve the room for 250$ and pay the door guy. My buddy ran the bar, and did do me a favor on letting me put on the show.
As far as my set. Stumbled a bit, even stumbled on my nintendo joke which should be one of my staple jokes. Started losing my voice at the end. May have drank a bit too much, combined with the stress of the show affected me a little bit. I felt like I was going to fall down at one point. I planned to do 30, ended up only doing around 24ish. I definately have a lot to work on to be a national headliner. My pacing and timing needs to be improved. I should start working on doing tighter sets, but I enjoy doing different jokes. At some point I do need to be able to memorize my jokes. I don't know. I'd give my set a B.
Here our the videos...
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Jokes: Maine "the way life should be", storm center, how are you, names, directions, can i be honest, intervention, tgif, theme songs, geico, free credit report, nintendo, oregon trail, field trips, young lies, dr. lies, planned parenthood, hand jobs, gf lies, speed dating, not tough/ black women, gf cheered sex, anger book, facebook, spell check, google, typewriters, needle in a haystack, herpes comm, cialis, smokey the bear, cigarettes, home depot, soap in mouth, getting older, variety packs, pretzels, 100 % american
I was stressing a little bit before the show. I don't like having the pressure of having to pay people and figure out who deserves what. The guy from Maine was pretty solid. Don't think he promoted at all but I kicked him a little money. I gave the fraternity a little bit, and then gave the guys money. I left a little for myself. Not much considering I had to reserve the room for 250$ and pay the door guy. My buddy ran the bar, and did do me a favor on letting me put on the show.
As far as my set. Stumbled a bit, even stumbled on my nintendo joke which should be one of my staple jokes. Started losing my voice at the end. May have drank a bit too much, combined with the stress of the show affected me a little bit. I felt like I was going to fall down at one point. I planned to do 30, ended up only doing around 24ish. I definately have a lot to work on to be a national headliner. My pacing and timing needs to be improved. I should start working on doing tighter sets, but I enjoy doing different jokes. At some point I do need to be able to memorize my jokes. I don't know. I'd give my set a B.
Here our the videos...
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Jokes: Maine "the way life should be", storm center, how are you, names, directions, can i be honest, intervention, tgif, theme songs, geico, free credit report, nintendo, oregon trail, field trips, young lies, dr. lies, planned parenthood, hand jobs, gf lies, speed dating, not tough/ black women, gf cheered sex, anger book, facebook, spell check, google, typewriters, needle in a haystack, herpes comm, cialis, smokey the bear, cigarettes, home depot, soap in mouth, getting older, variety packs, pretzels, 100 % american
Friday, March 5, 2010
Slainte show in the books
So wrapped the first Maine show last night. It was a strange experience. We checked it out before hand and it was small. Small doesn't really describe it. There were 3couches and about 7 random chairs. There was no stage. It was basically like doing jokes in a living room. I wasn't really sure how it was going to go. Christian went up first and opened the show well. The next guy up was a guy I was referred to from another Maine comic. I didn't really watch him that much but from what I heard he wasn't that great. Billy went next and did pretty well. I closed the show. It was awkward. I basically just looked over everyone as it was too intimate to make eye contact with individual people. I did ok. Not every joke hit real hard but some did. Nothing did awful. I made it through with doing jokes that I will not do on Saturday. I did jokes that I don't really don't think were very strong. I did about 15 minutes which I think is solid considering I'm doing a different 30 on Saturday.
Jokes: Maine: the way life should be, auto car starters, storm center, made bball team, costly booze, booze's farm, 3 yrs single, self porn, gf whiore, pulling out, condoms, old vage, chubby chaser, surgeon general, smelling things
Jokes: Maine: the way life should be, auto car starters, storm center, made bball team, costly booze, booze's farm, 3 yrs single, self porn, gf whiore, pulling out, condoms, old vage, chubby chaser, surgeon general, smelling things
Monday, March 1, 2010
Couple of shows, now on the east coast
So I made it on the Comedy Store open mic list. It's only 3 minutes, not really sure why I keep going. I had my lady friend pick me up. She was 15 minutes late and kind of drunk. I wasn't pleased. She had 2 other friends with her. I knew it was going to look terrible if I rolled in with 3 pretty intoxicated people who didn't want to buy any of their overpriced drinks and were going to leave after I was done. I suggested they do to a bar down the road until I was done.
I got on stage and worked on some newer jokes. I ususally do my jokes when I go there, but I felt like trying some new stuff. I did pretty ok. There was one comic that did really well. It was mostly "hackish" jokes, i.e. killer whales shouldn't be messed with they have killer in their name. He had a unique take on it, and the crowd ate it up so I had to give him props.
After I was done, I headed out to the next place. It's basically a rival of the other place so I couldn't even advertise where I was going. I got to the Palace right when the show started. I went up 3rd. The guy before me is still pretty new, and his jokes are pretty vulgar. Kind of typical, not genuinely funny person but wants to give comedy a try type comic. He's a nice guy, but you just hear people and realize comedy isn't for them. Welp I got up there and tried to ease the room a bit. It didn't go over too well. Crowd was kind of tight. I went into some newer stuff then went into some of my solid material. I pretty much winged it. I got the light, and it didn't feel like I was up there very long. Either they lit me early or I was doing really well. Time goes by so much faster when you're doing well. The guy that lit me said I was funny, so I doubt he lit me early. I had to leave soon after. The dude I emailed about being on his show was there. I thought about talking to him, but at this point I don't care.
I got an email from a person who books shows in L.A. She was interested in giving me some time, in exchange for time at Winston's. I'm interested to find out what places she actually books. Anyways, I'm in Maine, it's cold. I went to the gym here and there were no ladies there. There was like 2. It's so crazy how many women are in S.D. I'm excited for the other guys to come in. Should be fun.
I got on stage and worked on some newer jokes. I ususally do my jokes when I go there, but I felt like trying some new stuff. I did pretty ok. There was one comic that did really well. It was mostly "hackish" jokes, i.e. killer whales shouldn't be messed with they have killer in their name. He had a unique take on it, and the crowd ate it up so I had to give him props.
After I was done, I headed out to the next place. It's basically a rival of the other place so I couldn't even advertise where I was going. I got to the Palace right when the show started. I went up 3rd. The guy before me is still pretty new, and his jokes are pretty vulgar. Kind of typical, not genuinely funny person but wants to give comedy a try type comic. He's a nice guy, but you just hear people and realize comedy isn't for them. Welp I got up there and tried to ease the room a bit. It didn't go over too well. Crowd was kind of tight. I went into some newer stuff then went into some of my solid material. I pretty much winged it. I got the light, and it didn't feel like I was up there very long. Either they lit me early or I was doing really well. Time goes by so much faster when you're doing well. The guy that lit me said I was funny, so I doubt he lit me early. I had to leave soon after. The dude I emailed about being on his show was there. I thought about talking to him, but at this point I don't care.
I got an email from a person who books shows in L.A. She was interested in giving me some time, in exchange for time at Winston's. I'm interested to find out what places she actually books. Anyways, I'm in Maine, it's cold. I went to the gym here and there were no ladies there. There was like 2. It's so crazy how many women are in S.D. I'm excited for the other guys to come in. Should be fun.
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