Brother Can You Spare A Dime
April 11, 2007 · Print This Article
Between, plane tickets, hookers, gas, meth, and rubber chickens, exactly how do traveling club comics survive. Brian talks about living in poverty, shitty day jobs, hell gigs, and the joys of selling out.
Listener topics include remembering your first time, do you need to be dirty to be funny, and a few names provide a blast from the past.
Finally, comics who call collect, and a comic to television star who discusses the hilarity of alcohol abuse and suicide.
Email: brianmcomedy@gmail.com
Give the show a call: 206-600-4325
A new poll question should be up soon. We all know that the big names in comedy can charge whatever they want and people will shell out, but how much would you guys pay to go to a club and see 3 comics you’ve never heard of? Get your votes in.
Let’s create a union! C’mon guys! We’ll demand fair wages and better condos!
We just need to band toget–
Oh…
On a not-so-sarcastic note, I would like to say that I don’t get paid yet for comedy, because the first paid position is emcee and I’m not there yet.
So, here’s my question, if it’s answerable, and if answerable is a word: What are, if any, standard wages for stand-up comedians? I would think that headliners get the most, then features, then emcees. Also, what about in a New York style show where it’s an emcee and comics each doing 10 minutes or so?
Thanks, B-Mo.
~Charles
Great show, I would stay and do some commenting, but I have to get my taxes done….I hate doing taxes. Actually to illustrate how lazy I am, “doing” my taxes consists of piling all of the forms in a stack and taking them to an accountant. I think it is fair to say that I will be filing for an extension again this year.
At least I ain’t broke! Oh, wait….damn….
hey b-mo, i gotta tell yah i laughed my ass off after that “He must be titus or a stalker” thing. unfourtanetly i am neither. just an big fan. i did recently pick up his cd and its even better than the special. and twice as long. make sure to give it a listen. its totally worth it.
I agree, Bobcat is one of the most underrated comics. How strange is it to be both underrated AND a household name at the same time? Seriously, he’s a great comic, and he’s famous, but he’s not famous for being a great comic. Fucking crazy!
Hot damn, anothe great show!
Speaking of Bobcat, Anyone seen “Sleeping Dogs Lie”? It was released on DVD this week.
I downloaded Titus’ alubum on your recommendation, I’ll give it a listen this weekend! I also DL’d Joe Rogan’s new comedy album and the one thing that struck me immediately, and I hate to beat this dead horse, was how similar Joe Rogan sounds to Carlos Mencia. If you close your eyes, they SOUND alike. They both have that similar “Shouting the Punchline” delivery.
Just another layer of complexity to throw out there, I guess.
I want to mention an older comedian whom I just loved in my teen years, and the story about how I was introduced to him.
I was in junior high as a freshman, the gym was busy with about three basketball games at once. Off to the side I saw a cassette tape sitting like it was discarded. I picked it up to read it and it read, “Robin Harris- Be-Be’s kids”. I didn’t have a clue what it was, so I took it. Yes, I stole it from some poor unsuspecting soul.
When I got home that afternoon, I popped it in to listen and was just horrified. The language literally shocked me, though now the language doesn’t, and I threw the tape away after one listening as I was afraid my parents would find it. I was only 13 at the time, and not too wise about hiding things yet. But even after I chunked the tape, the bit about the Piccolo player would not leave my mind, and in my mind that bit was the most perfect bit in it’s composition, delivery and punchline. A few years later after I had embraced the cursing (Eddy Murphy , 2 Live Crew and N.W.A. will get you past that quick) I purchased the album, and to this day is one of my favorites.
Yeah, it was around 14 that my parents found a home recording of me and my 12 year old neighbor singing our rendition of 2 live crews “We want some pussy”, I had that recorder turned off in 2 notes. You just can’t help naivety, I had no idea what “running a train” was, but I sure liked that song. Sadly, my parents still have that cassette and tried playing it for me about 6 weeks ago. I did that 20 years ago, damn, seems like yesterday.
But yeah, Robin Harris, he was funny as hell, but that crack got to him, as it does.
I found a great interview of Brian Posehn;
http://www.gothamist.com/2007/04/13/brian_posehn_co.php
I really like his stuff, and hope you like the interview.
B-Mo… good show man! I will be listening, keep it coming!
P.S. That song was funny.
Robin Harris’ story is a heartbreaker. He was such a talented guy, but only really known in the black community. And just when he started to find mainstream success…Bebe’s kids will be comedy classic forever.
http://entertainment1.sympatico.msn.ca/Celebs/Galleries/Articles/Gallery_InfluentialComedians.htm?feedname=Photo_Gallery-Comedian&pos=0&nolookup=true#TopPosition
What gives MSN Entertainment the right to rate comics by how influential they are? This is a link to “The most influential comics of all time,” and I just wanted to see what you guys think of MSN’s little list. I am freakin’ amazed at some of the names on this list. They put Bob Hope instead of Jack Benny, just to give you an idea of how the list is gonna go.
Great show, B-Mo!
I’m with you Joel, that list is a little dicey. How can you name Seinfeld one of the 10 most influential comics, without mentioning people like Brenner and Klein who pioneered the kind of comedy he does? And Dane Cook! He is easily the most INFLUENCED comic in history.
Joel, thanks for finding the list. I agree with it totally! except that Dane Cook should be number 1 with Larry the cable guy a close second! GitRDone
Seriously, The list is pretty solid with the exception of Seinfeld, Cook and as much as I hate to say it, Stewart. The way I understand it, the list is for influential comedy. Replacing the three I mentioned, would be Lenny Bruce, Red Skelton and Redd Foxx. Hmm, two reds, that’s just weird.
Anywho, as I said, everyone else was pretty influential in comedy in general, not necessarily stand-up.
yeah this list was pretty shakey but i think it missed the point. i definetily think that seinfeld and Stewart should be taken off(and keep in mind that i like these guys). Cook should definetly be taken off becuase he is way to recent in the mainstream to be called Influencial. And i also had a problem with the three stooges and Monty python. now i love those guys but the list said influncial COMEDIANS. while they would fall more unto comedic performers. now the rest were on the money with pryor, carlin and hope. but my last question is why they couldent find a more decent picture of HOPE, that looks like hes still in grade school. and unless your jim carrey your not performing that early.
oh one more thing. i was on punchlinemagazine.com and i saw some articles that looke interesting. 1)Lewis Black (probably my favorite stand up under Titus and just above Gaffigan) is getting his own tv show on comedy central called “the root of all evil”. the concept is that hes a judge and other comedians are lawyers trying to convice him that their client is “the root of all evil”.
2) Douglas Glick, an assistant proffesor of anthropology at binghampton university in new york has analyzed the likes of dave chapelle, eddie izzard, and richard pryor. he is doing this to under stand the process of stand up and to uncover why anyone would choose such an emotionally damaging carreer.
I read those articles as well. I’m a little concerned about Lewis Black’s show. He’s an amazing comic, but his improv skills are a little suspect. Anyone who saw Comedy Central’s Last Laugh ‘06 can back me up. They were taking questions from the crowd, and Lewis just stood there chuckling while Patton and Geraldo worked their magic.
The more I think about that list, the angrier I get. How do you not include Lenny Bruce? If there was only one name on that list it should be his. If you believe it’s the place of comedians to challenge conventions and push the envelope, not only was he the 1st do it, but he was actually persecuted for it. This was a guy arrested for saying “cocksucker”. Now you hear it at every open mic in America.
yeah, you might be right about lewis’s improv skills. but i think thats okay. and as far as last luagh goes he did give a couple of gems and let patton and greg do what they do best. either way im a happy guy.
I finished getting my taxes together, now it is off to the accountant tomorrow to file for the extension. Like Ellen Degeneres said “Procrastinate Now!”, I live that motto more often than I would like.
I agree with Smiley on the list. The stooges and Monty Python, they are more comedic actors rather than comedians. I think the problem is that mainstream media labels anyone that does something funny as a “comedian”, and doesn’t differentiate a Stand-up comic from the pack. Hell, for that matter Peter Griffin should get the “comedian” award this year, that dude is funny.
I agree that Jon Stewart has no business being on that list. If you think about it, Seinfeld is about 100X more successful than The Daily Show could ever dream of being.
My wife had our second child today. If any of you want some stand up material, go down to the labor and delivery ward of the hospital and check out some of the parents. They are either 16 with their hat on backwards, or they knocked up their sister. One particular “Cletus” had denim from head to toe, mullet all greased up,, white T-Shirt, I felt like saying, “Hey Fonzie, give my best to Mr & Mrs C.”
Lewis Black getting his own TV show sounds pretty sweet, and he’s hands-down my favorite living comic (Bill Hicks is #1), but he’s been slipping a little bit. I saw his “Red White and Screwed” act in Santa Rosa last year, and it was pretty inferior to his act just a couple years before. And that Last Laugh thing was pretty lame, too. I’ll be watching and praying he doesn’t bomb.
Oh yeah, nice podcast B-Mo.
Y’know, Jon Stewart may not have any business being on a stand up comedy greats list, but his show IS one of the most successful comedy shows ever. Now I realize that this is probably something only a teenager (such as yours truly) could understand, but The Daily Show is how at least 70 percent of my friends, including myself, get their news. While it may not be as successful as Seinfeld, it might just be more significant.
Great show-thanks for answering my questions Brian. Hope progress is made in the business to get better pay across all levels. I think you hit the nail on the head, you have to enjoy comedy so much that the money is not what you do it for.
This show should be required listening for anyone who wants to get into standup.
Can’t wait for this weeks show-thanks again
NorCal
Tyler,
You are right that Jon Stewart and The Daily Show has single handedly help the younger generation, not only become aware of politics, but have a stronger understanding of the system and those in it. Humor is a great tool to get a serious topic across any boundary. I love the Daily Show, I am 34, and have been into the political scene since the Iran Contra scandal. The thing that is great about the daily show is that they will take a jab at whomever screws up, regardless of the party.
With that said, the column was about “influential” comedians, and you gotta wonder how many comedians you can influence in 5 years of success. Dane Cook?
anywho, that is my two cents.
Darcy,
Congratulations!
I thought this deserved it’s own post.
Seinfeld has been off the air for 8 years, and everyone knows “yada yada yada”, the high talker, man hands, Soup Nazi. 8 Years. At most, you would have been 11 when it went off the air. It was also called the #1 televison show of all time by TV Guide.
Killborn left the Daily Show because it’s on cable to join a network show no one watched. I have not seen him since. I also find the show has slipped a lot since Cordry et al left.
I guess my point is, The Daily Show has its audience, but suggesting it is anywhere near Seinfeld is like saying Freddy Got Fingered is as good as Citizen Kane. Just my opinion.
Study finds that men and women view sexual images differently. Women hold the picture with two hands, while the man….
http://www.wgal.com/news/12083505/detail.html
link for goodness.
Seinfeld is one of the best tv shows out there still is becuase alot of other sitcoms are crap. and the daily show cant be lumped togethor with seinfeld becuase the daily show is a satirical news program and the first of it’s kind. and to tell you the truth i, like tyler watch it to get daily news from someone besides the crazy ass lyeing media. also the daily show rocks becuase A) Jon Stewart comes from my hometown, “Lawrenceville Muthafuccckkkkaaasss”, and B) It introduced me to lewis black (well that and late night with CONAN O’BRIEN). nuff’ said
1st off, I want to thank Smiley for the 1st drunk post on the btb boards. 2nd, Darcy is absolutely right. The Daily Show is fantastic and very popular, but nowhere in the same league as Seinfeld as far as popularity is concerned. And Lawrenceville may have Jon Stewart, but Tucson has Geralso Rivera, and he…Alright, you win this round.
Actually I agree 100% with Snappy there. Dane Cook had absolutely no business being on an influential comics list. I actually found it very funny that MSN basically said “well, hes been accused of stealing material, but, well, we just wanna put him on the goddamn list.”
Also, I’m not suggesting in any way that the Daily Show is anywhere near Seinfeld as far as popularity or actual funniness (is that a word?), I am merely making the point that there is a difference between being influential and making people remember a joke for years to come. The Daily Show influences the way people think, and Seinfeld influenced the way people are entertained. And frankly, I think I prefer Seinfeld.
Interesting show and a great topic. I’m 26 and struggling to juggle my passion for doing stand-up with a full time career. Our first child is on the way and I need to pay the bills, which means I can’t get to comedy clubs at 5 for an open-mic sign up or really beg and plead to get stage time. Hell, just getting copies of my DVD made for sendouts last week required a long lunch.
Anyone else making end meet while doing standup on the side?
Brian,
With everything that’s happened at Va Tech and 9/11, I know that sports and humor become a part of the healing factor. When did you or do other comics find it ok to laugh again? How did you go about find it within yourself to say “I’m ready to make others laugh” or “I’m now ready to laugh myself”?
I know that after 9/11 Mayor guiliani Went on SNL and basically said its ok to luagh and let the healing begin. maybe someone from va should do that
I was going to comment on the Va. Tech situation, and when it is o.k. to start making jokes of the situation, but I believe my comments were inappropriate, and insensitive. (that’s a first for me, self-censoring)
I’ll keep it light, especially since this post will probably not be viewed much.
Snappy’ half-assed Review;
I just watched “Thank God You’re Here” and thought I would give you guys my 2 cents;
The premise of the show is that 4 comedians, whether stand-up or stage, compete in an improv style for a coveted “door” trophy. The show is hosted by David Alan Grier (In living Color, other stuff) and judged by Dave Foley (News Radio, Boys in the Hall).
The four guests on the second (because I missed the premiere and am too lazy to watch it on the interweb!) show was Jason Alexander, Harland Williams, Brian Posehn and Jane Lynch (Funny, trust me).
So this is from their site “showcases the improvisational skills of a group of four brave actors each week, as they walk into a live sketch without a script, their only armor and unforeseen and unexplained wardrobe change. The only thing the celebrity can count on when walking into the scenario is a desperate greeting from a fellow actor in the skit, proclaiming, “Thank God You’re Here!”.”
This showcases each persons improvisational skills, annnnnnnnnd some don’t have any. Man was I ever disappointed in Posehns improv skills. I wanted to like him, hell I wanted to love him, his standup is freakin’ great, but it is scripted. Now Harland Williams, that dude is great at improv, I think he could make you laugh with a case of Diahrrea and a soldering iron! He by far was the best. Jason Alexander was nominally better than Brian, which isn’t saying much, especially being that he used the Seinfeld crutch twice on the show.
Which brings us to Jane Lynch. She is underrated as a comedic actor. You stick her with Eugene Levvy and you have a great duo. She by-far was the second best on there, which I mean to be a compliment.
Anywho, The hosting and judging really put a damper on the haha. David and Dave are just not that funny unless they are performing physical comedy, they literally slow the pace down, and that train needs speed, a lot of speed.
Aparrantly they are putting not just comedians, but those they think might be funny on here. The pilot showcased Jennifer Coolidge (”For Your Consideration,” “Best In Show”), Bryan Cranston (”Malcom in the Middle”), Joel McHale (E! Entertainment’s, “The Soup”) and Wayne Knight (”Seinfeld”).
Tomorrow night on Wednesday, April 18 at 8/7c
George Takei (”Heroes”), Chelsea Handler (”The Chelsea Handler Show”), Tom Green (”The Tom Green Show”), Shannon Elizabeth (”American Pie”)
I will give it another shot, but they need to screen who the fuck they put on here. Make sure they don’t suck at improv. Hell I can’t even do a damn Murder Mystery party well enough to be invited back so that is where my level of expertise comes in.
This concludes my half-assed review…..
you might be right snappy. now i personally like the show but you are right about the judge and the host.
It’s funny, I was just sitting down to write my own “Thank God You’re Here” review when I saw Snappy’s. But oh well, Snappy is right on with that review. I will say however, that the judging and host are not even close to bad enough to make me skip this show. The one thing that really bugs me about this host and judge duo is when David Alan Grier will say something along the lines of “I like to call our host ‘the executioner’” which Dave Foley will follow up with “he was simply hilarious. Perfect performance.”
Also, I think that Posehn was actually somewhat decent with his performance, but maybe I’m only saying this because I love the Sarah Silverman Program, almost as much as the show that precedes it, South Park. I think his problem is that he may have built himself up a little too much when Grier mentioned that they do improv on the Sarah Silverman Program, which I believe basically boils down to Silverman coming up with a new joke, and if she gets a good reaction out of the cast, they throw it in.
And one more thing, are we really gonna credit Takei with his two episodes of Heroes over a career defined by Star Trek? I mean, come on.
Quick correction Snappy, it was Kids in the Hall, not Boys in the Hall. They are Canadian, gotta defend my boys.
Quick warning, looks like Kempey Cakes found you Brian. God damn that guest spot on JTS.
This may be giving too much credit to the poorly thought out list, but Dane Cook may be one of the most influential comedians in recent years not based on his comey, but on his self-promotion. He seems to be the first performer to find an enormous following via an interactive website with a lot of free material and MySpace, which was previously an internet teenage angst-hole. Now every comedian has a Myspace page, as does every band, filmmaker and presidential candidate. Where his comedy is hacky and lame, he might have revolutionized the way comedy is promoted.
I hate to say it, but flyingdisks is right. Nice observation.