Comments on: Comedy Hurts http://behindthebricks.com/comedy-hurts Stand-up Stripped Down Mon, 06 Sep 2010 23:01:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Michael http://behindthebricks.com/comedy-hurts/comment-page-1#comment-5258 Michael Thu, 26 Feb 2009 03:46:59 +0000 http://behindthebricks.com/?p=153#comment-5258 I know it was a while ago, but I just saw a guy opening for Brian Posehn, and he admitted to feeling a little sick, but it kind of made me mad, too. He was not interested, clearly mailing it in, so the crowd was disinterested. Don't you have to at least pretend you want to be there? I know it was a while ago, but I just saw a guy opening for Brian Posehn, and he admitted to feeling a little sick, but it kind of made me mad, too. He was not interested, clearly mailing it in, so the crowd was disinterested. Don’t you have to at least pretend you want to be there?

]]> By: Joel Fry http://behindthebricks.com/comedy-hurts/comment-page-1#comment-4980 Joel Fry Fri, 12 Dec 2008 08:10:25 +0000 http://behindthebricks.com/?p=153#comment-4980 Not really sure what defines a professional comedian. I definitely wouldn't consider myself a professional comic, and it'll be a long long time before I even begin to think about whether or not I'm a comedian. I guess it's up to the decision-makers what makes someone a professional comic. And even they'll disagree. Not really sure what defines a professional comedian. I definitely wouldn’t consider myself a professional comic, and it’ll be a long long time before I even begin to think about whether or not I’m a comedian.

I guess it’s up to the decision-makers what makes someone a professional comic. And even they’ll disagree.

]]> By: Marc http://behindthebricks.com/comedy-hurts/comment-page-1#comment-4979 Marc Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:25:10 +0000 http://behindthebricks.com/?p=153#comment-4979 Here is a question I've been thinking about. What defines a professional comedian? Is it a state of mind or does it mean you are getting paid as a comedian? I ask this because recently one of our local comedy clubs changed the open mic rules. Amateurs get 3 minutes, professionals get 5 minutes. The first night I signed up, I accidently signed on the professional side and didn't really say anything about it. Before I went up the new club manager asked me, "are you a professional?" and I said, "I dunno" and he said, "who are you?" and I told him my name and then he said, "where do you work?" and Iike a dumb-ass I said, "at an architectural firm". Then he said, "your an amateur...scratched my name out and put me on the 3 minute list". So now I'm labeled (at least by this manager) as an amateur and probably as someone who tried to scam his way onto the pro-side of the list. In my mind I'm a professional. I've had about six real shows were tickets were sold. I've also featured for some of the local headliners, and I've been on the road for a week filling in for a feature act through The Comedy Zone, got some scratch, and a hotel room for the effort. So wouldn't that be considered a professional? The funny thing is, alot of the professionals will sign up for the open mic, and when their name is called to go on stage, they are missing in action. One night a professional went for 3 minutes and said, "that's all the material I have for tonight" and brought up the next comedian, which happened to be me. So when I got on stage I looked at the club manager and asked him, "can I have his two minutes he didn't use?" Of course I didn't get them. lol Here is a question I’ve been thinking about. What defines a professional comedian? Is it a state of mind or does it mean you are getting paid as a comedian? I ask this because recently one of our local comedy clubs changed the open mic rules. Amateurs get 3 minutes, professionals get 5 minutes. The first night I signed up, I accidently signed on the professional side and didn’t really say anything about it. Before I went up the new club manager asked me, “are you a professional?” and I said, “I dunno” and he said, “who are you?” and I told him my name and then he said, “where do you work?” and Iike a dumb-ass I said, “at an architectural firm”. Then he said, “your an amateur…scratched my name out and put me on the 3 minute list”. So now I’m labeled (at least by this manager) as an amateur and probably as someone who tried to scam his way onto the pro-side of the list.

In my mind I’m a professional. I’ve had about six real shows were tickets were sold. I’ve also featured for some of the local headliners, and I’ve been on the road for a week filling in for a feature act through The Comedy Zone, got some scratch, and a hotel room for the effort. So wouldn’t that be considered a professional?

The funny thing is, alot of the professionals will sign up for the open mic, and when their name is called to go on stage, they are missing in action. One night a professional went for 3 minutes and said, “that’s all the material I have for tonight” and brought up the next comedian, which happened to be me. So when I got on stage I looked at the club manager and asked him, “can I have his two minutes he didn’t use?” Of course I didn’t get them. lol

]]> By: brian http://behindthebricks.com/comedy-hurts/comment-page-1#comment-4978 brian Thu, 11 Dec 2008 06:02:26 +0000 http://behindthebricks.com/?p=153#comment-4978 Slight delay in the show this week. Wish I had a good reason, but really it's just complete laziness. Should be out by Friday. Slight delay in the show this week. Wish I had a good reason, but really it’s just complete laziness. Should be out by Friday.

]]> By: Patrick AKA Smiley http://behindthebricks.com/comedy-hurts/comment-page-1#comment-4976 Patrick AKA Smiley Wed, 10 Dec 2008 01:45:13 +0000 http://behindthebricks.com/?p=153#comment-4976 man this years gonna be the year that keeps on giving(comedy wise) http://punchlinemagazine.com/blog/maria-bamford-john-mulaney-more-added-to-comedy-central-records-roster man this years gonna be the year that keeps on giving(comedy wise)

http://punchlinemagazine.com/blog/maria-bamford-john-mulaney-more-added-to-comedy-central-records-roster

]]> By: Nick http://behindthebricks.com/comedy-hurts/comment-page-1#comment-4975 Nick Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:42:59 +0000 http://behindthebricks.com/?p=153#comment-4975 My family are going to be supportive I'm sure but I'll dread telling my abortion jokes in front of them - but I've seen my mother laugh in front of Frankie Boyle's stuff so she's set herself up for a fall...... My friends are going to be slightly different - I dunno, I know they'll be pleasantly surprised. I suppose its because of the fact that none really have any similar aspriations or any interest in performing at all. It'll be weird inviting them along for a show - not that I'm not looking forward to it. that's another thing Marc, first and foremost I'm a fan of stand up. I've seen half a room get up and leave after their buddy finished. I'd want my friends to enojy the whole show rather my sorry bunch of abortion jokes. To be honest, at this moment in time I'm enjoying doing it in secret.....if any thing I feel there's a lot less pressure! My family are going to be supportive I’m sure but I’ll dread telling my abortion jokes in front of them – but I’ve seen my mother laugh in front of Frankie Boyle’s stuff so she’s set herself up for a fall……

My friends are going to be slightly different – I dunno, I know they’ll be pleasantly surprised. I suppose its because of the fact that none really have any similar aspriations or any interest in performing at all. It’ll be weird inviting them along for a show – not that I’m not looking forward to it.

that’s another thing Marc, first and foremost I’m a fan of stand up. I’ve seen half a room get up and leave after their buddy finished. I’d want my friends to enojy the whole show rather my sorry bunch of abortion jokes.

To be honest, at this moment in time I’m enjoying doing it in secret…..if any thing I feel there’s a lot less pressure!

]]> By: Patrick AKA Smiley http://behindthebricks.com/comedy-hurts/comment-page-1#comment-4974 Patrick AKA Smiley Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:29:57 +0000 http://behindthebricks.com/?p=153#comment-4974 I agree that its important to have family and freinds support you in the begining but it can be very annoying. my parents know about my ambitions in comedy but theres a problem. my parents only exposure to comedy is what they see on ET or some shit or the stuff I sit them down for myself. my mother keeps wondering why i dont do more stuff like dane cook(because I actually bother to write) and my father kepps giving me these "ideas" for props i can use in my act. the only similarity between carrot top and i is our hair coler. I understand what theyre doing, they just want me to be succesful but they dont really understand the originality behind it. I agree that its important to have family and freinds support you in the begining but it can be very annoying. my parents know about my ambitions in comedy but theres a problem. my parents only exposure to comedy is what they see on ET or some shit or the stuff I sit them down for myself. my mother keeps wondering why i dont do more stuff like dane cook(because I actually bother to write) and my father kepps giving me these “ideas” for props i can use in my act. the only similarity between carrot top and i is our hair coler. I understand what theyre doing, they just want me to be succesful but they dont really understand the originality behind it.

]]> By: Marc http://behindthebricks.com/comedy-hurts/comment-page-1#comment-4973 Marc Mon, 08 Dec 2008 19:00:17 +0000 http://behindthebricks.com/?p=153#comment-4973 I always try to send out an email to my friends about open mics or gigs I have around town. Just as a reminder. I usually get a handful of people to show up. But alot of them have a life and it's hard for them to get out on a week night. I find it most difficult to give them a time frame. Alot of the times they will ask, "when are you going up?" and if I invited them to an open mic I have to tell them, "sometime between 8:00pm and 1:00am" :) On occasion we will have a "bring the office guy" come around. He brings about 30+ people from his office, nobody has seen or heard of him, and he is killing the audience and all the comedians going on after him cannot wait to sink their teeth into them. Unfortunetly as soon as his set is finished, they all get up and leave. So if I invite people out, I ask them to please stay and watch as many other comedians as they can. Bringing family can be stressful, I guess it's up to the individual person and how comfortable they feel around them. Most of my family has seen me perform and I think the stress factor comes in because you want to do your best in front of them, and give them a great show. Not to impress them for praise, but to convince them your not pissing your life away doing comedy. LOL I always try to send out an email to my friends about open mics or gigs I have around town. Just as a reminder. I usually get a handful of people to show up. But alot of them have a life and it’s hard for them to get out on a week night. I find it most difficult to give them a time frame. Alot of the times they will ask, “when are you going up?” and if I invited them to an open mic I have to tell them, “sometime between 8:00pm and 1:00am” :)

On occasion we will have a “bring the office guy” come around. He brings about 30+ people from his office, nobody has seen or heard of him, and he is killing the audience and all the comedians going on after him cannot wait to sink their teeth into them. Unfortunetly as soon as his set is finished, they all get up and leave. So if I invite people out, I ask them to please stay and watch as many other comedians as they can.

Bringing family can be stressful, I guess it’s up to the individual person and how comfortable they feel around them. Most of my family has seen me perform and I think the stress factor comes in because you want to do your best in front of them, and give them a great show. Not to impress them for praise, but to convince them your not pissing your life away doing comedy. LOL

]]> By: Nick http://behindthebricks.com/comedy-hurts/comment-page-1#comment-4972 Nick Mon, 08 Dec 2008 12:47:41 +0000 http://behindthebricks.com/?p=153#comment-4972 sorry...*ruin* sorry…*ruin*

]]> By: Nick http://behindthebricks.com/comedy-hurts/comment-page-1#comment-4971 Nick Mon, 08 Dec 2008 12:47:24 +0000 http://behindthebricks.com/?p=153#comment-4971 Hey Americans, stop it with your offensive gags. You come over here, take our women and run our wholesome sense of humour. http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2008/12/08/7949/bbc_rapped_over_palin_gag Hey Americans, stop it with your offensive gags. You come over here, take our women and run our wholesome sense of humour.

http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2008/12/08/7949/bbc_rapped_over_palin_gag

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