Ricardo Lewis stops by to share his thoughts on the current crazy of remaking British sitcoms for an American audiences. He also shares a story about political correctness gone made. Brian finishes the show answering some of your questions from the blog styled comment threads. And there will be no GQ funniest hundred joke in this weeks show, will these jokes ever see the light of day again?
Email: brianmcomedy@gmail.com and give us a call on 206-203-4692
Why the change?
It seems to be working now…
Hi y’all
Hey, I enjoyed the show this week and it just struck how many British tv shows were remade for America. I knew that there were loads, just didn’t realise how many. Thankfully that rumoured remake of Father Ted never happened, the entire nation of Ireland would be standing outside of the studio protesting.
Hey I’ve an interesting little experiment that we can call carry out. The world of comedy is a very closed shop, there are probably only a handful comedians in every city, and it’s pretty much an everyone knows everyone business. I have a theory that there is only 1 degree of separation between ever comedian in the world, that is if any two comedians from any part of the Anglosphere meet they can find one comic whom both of them has performed with. Let’s see if we can find the degrees of separation between those of us comics who post on this site.
I’ll give an example, I’ve never met Ricardo Lewis, but I know that both of us have been on the same bill as Adam Hills. Therefore 1 degree of separation.
Here is the PDF of the 75 Funniest Jokes of All Time from QC Magazine from June of 1999.. a scan from the magazine..
http://www.emophilips.com/by/277
Also, try the URL that you have saved in the Wayback Machine.. http://www.archive.org/index.php
Qi is a really good comedy panel show. Have we got news for you is a really great show as well. Incidentally Angus Deayton the original host was sacked after some tabloid allegations. Neither show could ever come to the U.S. because there are not enough funny and clever comedians to fill the panel (I am sure there are some great comedians that could do it but not the mainstream ones). An interesting crossover failure was Graham Norton’s chat show he tried to do in New York and it failed they are airing the London show on BBC America and it is really good.
Russell Brand deserved to be fired not because the prank was so offensive but because it was so unfunny and because he is a shitty untalented comedian.
Even though the BBC has managed to make some great programs for the most part the writing and quality have been in a downward spiral for years. The bias is so disgusting that it has become a fascist propaganda wing for the left. This would all be fine if it weren’t a government chartered agency. I do like how they hunt down little old ladies that don’t pay their fee.
The Cable Guy clip was funny if he would only lay off the catch phrase.
Brian C you almost put me on tilt I can not believe anyone would try to remake Father Ted than goodness that abortion didn’t happen. Father Ted is one of greatest comedy series ever made.
Thanks for the crazy mad props B-mo. I hope I didn’t come across as someone who likes impressions in general, though. As a comic myself, I never want anyone to have the false impression that I like something
You’ve probably discussed this topic before, but I’ve been giving some thought lately to what to wear on stage. I’m about to enter my fifth year in comedy and still haven’t quite figured it out. I know the two schools of thought on this:
1) look better than the audience does
2) wear what you would wear normally because that’s more “real.”
But I’m not convinced every comic does him or herself a service by wearing their street duds. I’ve seen guys who look like they’re trying a bit hard to dress down, which can be particularly silly when they’re 37 and wearing an Affliction tee and baggies.
I’m a 40-year-old, 6′3″, bald white guy with an R-rated act (mostly), so I’m wondering if suiting up a bit wouldn’t help my cause. Any thoughts?
Dan: your a 40 year old, 6′3”, bald white guy whose act is R-rated and you don a suit…holy crap are you robert Schimmell?
Oh my word – hot news coming in – yet another Britcom is to get an American remake. A new Americanised remake of Absolutely Fabulous is on the cards, after the Fox network ordered a pilot episode.
http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2009/01/24/8166/us_remake_for_ab_fab
.
Schimmel is about 5′8″.
really? he always seemed taller. maybe the baggy suit makes that illusion. well my bad.
Even though I know everyone looks taller on TV, I was still a bit surprised myself when I saw him in person. I emcee’d with him in 07, and the first night, I neglected to readjust the mike stand when I introduced him. When I got all the way to the back of the room, he was still standing there looking up at the mike, ad-libbing (or not) a couple things about my ignorance and getting huge laughs out of it.
Ricardo Lewis is a dork who thinks too highly of himself – where are the UK comics ripping into our lefty labour government? – no balls.
BBC ain’t free – the UK has a TV Tax which goes to the BBC even if you don’t want to watch it.
Ross is the highest paid entertainer on TV – WFT are the BBC giving him millions of pounds of taxpayers money?
The BBC is public service, and shouldn’t be trying to compete with commercial entities.
Little britain was a great show in the UK – you should check out the ’shop keeper’ series of sketches every week lucas runs a different ‘mom and pop’ shop and walliams is an impossible customer — absolutely and completely classic.
I think they screwed up in the USA, because they dropped their clever stuff to focus on their grotesques.
@Dan Everyone on TV seems taller because most everyone on TV is freakishly short. I think the average height of actors is 4′6″ (Like BMo, I too, pull stats out of my ass)
Hooray! I’ve been slagged off by some anonymous jerk-off troll on the otherwise friendly and civil BTB forums. Well done pp – I feel like I’ve really arrived!
As far as what to wear on-stage, I’m toying with the idea of dressing up a little more for performances. Unless it’s a big deal, I usually go on in what I would normally wear. If it’s cold, I’ll wear a sweatshirt, etc. If I am in a contest or something like that, I’ll wear a nice polo, dark blue jeans and dress pants. I’ve been thinking about going with khakis though, since that would make me stand out. I’ve heard the “look better than them” argument enough to assume there’s probably some validity in it.
@Joel Fry really want to make a first impression… wear a dress.. or sweatpants.
IMHO, I really don’t care about how the comic dresses. To me, how the comic performs the material, is WAY more important that the clothing style. Unless you are doing physical humor, you really don’t need to see anything. In some respects, comedy is a bit like music.. all that matters is that you can hear it. But it all depends on WHO you are trying to impress.
Now at the same time, I’m not some big time exec that can make or break careers, so use my 2 cents for what it’s worth.
On a completely different note, my Mom just added me on her Facebook account. Now, I think I’ve used Facebook about 4 times, never for anything interesting/fun/illegal/anything really. The shocker here is…. my mother has a facebook account. [::facepalm::]
I gotta say as far as dressing for a show I’ve only recently learned how to do it right. I’m ashamed to say it now but when I started out I wore a very colerful shirt. I did’nt even have a joke about it, it was just there. Now adays i generally go through two diffrent styles for my low level, dark, dingy basement gigs I where Sneakers, jeans, a long sleeed shirt and a hat. where more respectable gigs i generally wear a blazer along with it.I’ve found theres no real reson to obsess over clothing, but its just one of those little nuances you have to think of ahead of time.
My usual day wear is Hawaiian shirts… I’ve worn this on stage a couple of times. It’s what I’m comfortable in… and I don’t really change my day clothes going to an open mic. For the more professional open mics I tend to wear what I think are my best shirts… but they are still casual clothes.
I’m not sure what to do with the Hawaiian shirts… since in a way they might scream hack…. like wearing a tuxedo t-shirt. I haven’t written any material that specifically addresses my shirt.
Personally I like the comics that wear casual clothes, but they look to be their best put together casual clothes. But I really don’t care that much… it’s all about the cleverness of the material for me…
I’d still laugh at Emo Philips even if he was in gorilla costume…
oh man. moms on facebook? tell me about it.
she friend requested me, and i ignored it.
i dont want her to be able to check up on my shit.
you know because i’m a total badass, and get in trouble online- thugging and all that. nah that’s just weird though…
It’s bad enough that in the mid thirties, *I* have a facebook account, but my mom at 55+ with a facebook account.. it’s the first sign of the apocalypse.
I must check THE email to deny the request.. (yes, an old MSR throwback..)
Great show Brian, and great Springer impression by Ricardo!
I wondered if anyone has any tips on how to read the audience during your set. In the past I was performing in a couple spots where I could see and hear the audience. Last week I MC’d at a new venue where the stage was a few feet off the ground (which made it harder to hear the audience) and the stage lights were uber-bright. I could barely see the front row.
While on stage I couldn’t hear the audience or see their body language to know what was working and what wasn’t. When I watched the tape back I could hear them no problem.
Anyone got any tips on how to read the audience better during your set?
I used to suck at reading the audience. The only feeling I would have onstage would be if I was doing poorly, and if I didn’t have that feeling, then I just presumed I was doing well. It took over 1 1/2 years to get a feeling of “I am really doing well” onstage. I like going 3rd or 4th in a show, or headlining, because by then you definitely have a feel for what will work and what won’t.
Have some pre-ready savers just in case a joke of yours bombs. I read an audience TERRIBLY not too long ago, and since then I’ve worked really hard on having a couple of lines hidden away to fall back on just in case they don’t dig a joke that I’m doing. That way you can make fun of yourself, then they’ll get on your side, and you can try a different avenue of jokes. Not 100% sure that’s what you are looking for in an answer, but that’s the best I can give you. I’m far from a seasoned vet, though, so take that for what it is.
FOR ALL BILL HICKS FANS.
Apparently Bill Hick’s mother is set to appear on Letterman to talk about Bill. My buddy just sent me this email:
DVR alert: Letterman honors the late, great Bill Hicks
Bill Hicks never became a household name, but he’s widely regarded as one of the most talented and challenging stand-up comedians.
As is the case with many trailblazers, Hicks’ material was also controversial. In 1993, the Southern satirist became the first comedy act to be censored at CBS’ Ed Sullivan Theatre. Hours after delivering a routine for The Late Show with David Letterman, the show’s executive producer called to tell him it wouldn’t air. Tragically, Hicks died of cancer less than five months after the incident. He was 32.
On Friday, Bill Hicks’ mother will appear on The Late Show to discuss her son’s legacy. Letterman will also air the censored performance, which includes riffs on pop culture and social issues. (For an early peek, read a transcript of the routine.)
This year marks the 15th anniversary of Hicks’ death. Events are being planned in his honor all over the world, and a documentary is also in the works. Check his official site for more info, and cruise YouTube to watch archived performances.
Thanks to Pop reader Roger J. for the tip — he attended Monday’s Late Show taping and may be able to add more details in the comments.
When I saw the announcement last night (www.sacredcow.com) I got really excited. You can find clips of Hicks doing that 6 minutes in clubs after it was cut from the Letterman show, but I am really looking forward to seeing the original “offense.”
Can’t wait to see it, thanks for the tip!
Nice show brian. Are you permanently moving them to fridays now?
Hey all. I apologize for the delay. I think I may be making a permanent move to Tuesday’s. Stay tuned!
Ok, well in light of no behind the bricks did anyone else Watch Conan last night. He had Jon Stewart, Mary Lynn Rajskrab, and mike birbiglia. it was a comedy nerdgasm.
I liked the show. I spent a summer in England once with my older sister and they purposefully didn’t buy a TV so that they didn’t have to pay the TV tax. Apparently, the BBC people didn’t believe them at all and had to check out the house multiple times.
Anywho, like Potter, I have questions about reading the audience. I recently did a set a local open-mic. I live in Nashville and went to a fuckin’ competitive open-mic; you have to show up over an hour early to get a spot on the sign-up list. Mind you, it’s all singer-songwriters, but they were cool with letting me do my stand-up. I went up and tried to make fun of some of the sorority girls blowing dudes, but although there weren’t any of them there, still bombed. For the rest of the act, I felt like I stumbled terribly and that no one laughed. I mean, I got a couple chuckles, but that was it.
Anywho, after the fact, several people said that my stuff was funny and that I got laughs, but I don’t really think so. Yet, I think I recall you saying something about how hard it is to gauge your laughs while on stage. So, while I personally think I bombed and that I was just getting some pity compliments, is it possible that I did better than I thought?
Oh joel, I like your ideas about having some ready lines in case you bomb. That makes sense. I’ll probably have to start thinking of some of those.
It happens to me often enough to where I wouldn’t be able to get by without them.
If I can bitch for a second regarding Dan’s topic about what to wear on stage– this is the source of non-stop trauma for me. I like dressing up, but as a lady, it can give folks the wrong impression. When I wear a dress or a skirt, the crowd seems ready for internet dating/celebrity gossip type-stuff, which isn’t what I do. I can’t dress too sexy, basically, because it doesn’t really fit what I have to say, even though feeling sexy makes me feel better on stage. That said, I do a lot of variety shows where I can wear man panties and jumps suits, so I shouldn’t bitch.
I hate men in bowling shirts. Wear a suit if you’re over 35, or a non-descript polo, but bowling shirts or anything with flames or dragons just scream moron to me. Have I offended anyone yet?
So I dont know about the rest of you but last night I watched letterman for showing of the unaired bill hicks segment that was announced here and every other comedy blog of merit. I enjoyed it thourghly, and I’m always pleasently surprised when It still seems relevant. hell his opening joke was about hunting down and killing billy ray cyrus. which makes you wonder how he would have felt about Hannah Montana.
If Margaret says dress it up a bit, that settles it. Women dress men better than men do (though I did draw the line when my mother tried to convince me to wear pastels).
“I hate men in bowling shirts. Wear a suit if you’re over 35, or a non-descript polo, but bowling shirts or anything with flames or dragons just scream moron to me. Have I offended anyone yet?”
This may be my favorite post ever. When did that become the standard outfit for every douche, bag middle aged, unoriginal, male comic?
If you missed the Bill Hicks bit on Letterman. Here are the highlights (including his whole set).
http://lateshow.cbs.com/latenight/lateshow/video_player/index/php/976782.phtml
Suited up for a show last night, and a very attractive woman at least 10 years my junior told me I was hot and wanted to take me home. Why it didn’t happen is a long and stupid story involving a bad decision and a state trooper, but the point is:
The stage-wear issue is now officially solved.
Thanks, Margaret.
I hope I don’t get that type of luck. That would mean a six year old would be coming up to me wanting to sleep with me… I don’t need that type of trouble.
You’re welcome, Dan. Sorry to hear about another sharp-dressed man foiled by a man in uniform. I hope he didn’t get the lady or your license.
I can’t tell you how many shitty open-mic’ers (me included) have got their first road work because all the funny people got dinged for DUIs.
The story is lamer than that. I needed to get home that night and reluctantly stuck to my plan and left. Three miles south of town I hit an ice patch and spun out into the ditch. The trooper came by about 15 minutes later and towed me out. I went back to the club, and the woman was gone. I ended up on a comic’s couch that was a foot shorter than I am.
Is what happened to Russell Brand is all that different from what happened to Don Imus? I think it’s different in at least this one way: the people who went after brand were REALLY after his network and it’s alleged bias. The people who went after Imus were after Imus. So it was personal, it worked, and that’s a shame for all of us, even without making excuses for what either said.