How was 2009 as a comedy year? Lets check in with Dylan Gadino of Punchlinemagazine.com. He seems to know what’s going on.
Topics on the day include the cesspool that is E and VH1, the joys of New year’s eve as a parent, crowbaring stand up into the biggest party night of the year, why some gigs are just destined for failure, and puppets on the radio. What could possibly go wrong?
Email: brianmcomedy@gmail.com and give us a call on 206-203-4692
hey, guys: i realized we took down the Maron interview from Punchline Mag’s front page after Brian talked about it. you can see it here. http://vimeo.com/5649255 -dylan
2009 was OK comedy-wise. I had the opportunity to feature with Tom Mabe, Pat Godwin, Larry Reeb, Bill Blank, and Mike Kosta. ‘09 was also the first year I crossed more than one state line in the same weekend to do comedy. After gas, I may have cleared $30 when it was all said and done, but it was a good time. I also showcased at an “A” room where I used to open-mike a lot, and I got a thumbs up to feature, provided my full set DVD follow-up gets watched
2009 was, for me, a really decent comedy year. I built on what happened for me in 2008 and began running an open mic in February of 2009. I was also chief booking coordinator for CornStar Comedy, where we booked dozens of shows state-wide for dozens of different comics from around Iowa. I co-organized the largest comedy contest in the history of the state with a $1000 grand prize payoff and six different states being represented comedically. I performed several times at the Funny Bone in Des Moines, which is NOT a club that’s friendly to local open mikers. And it put me in a good position to have a breakout 2010 with this Iowa Comedy Festival thing.
By the way, TOTALLY agree with you guys on liking albums more than DVDs. Comedy is so much better as audio; it allows you to use your imagination and interpret the visual in your own way, which is far superior to what a DVD allows you to do.
I agree, but not always. Sometimes it’s a real pain in the ass not being able to see wtf is going on e.g. in Steve Martin’s “Let’s Get Small” where you can hear bangs and clatters and laughing, but as a listener you are totally in the dark. I think he mentioned in his book, though, how that actually increased show attendance because people couldn’t get the full experience from the albums.
I get what you’re saying, D-Robe. And while it drove attendance to his shows back in the 70s, people in the year 2010 are TOTALLY clueless about what the hell is happening to him on stage.
The bigger issue for me is that I’m more likely to listen to audio on the go. I rarely put in a stand-up dvd even though I own several, and for that matter I don’t usually put a cd in when I’m just sitting on the couch. I like listening to cd’s in the car or stand-up on my ipod if I’m traveling.
Probably also the case for the 300 vhs movies I own that I never watched a second time. Anyone want a copy of Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey?
Wait, wait- you still own 300 VHS movies? You could always gift them to your adorable great-grandkids.
Another example of visual gags on albums that pissed me off (since I know you guys were waiting); the cunnilingus bit at the very end of Robin Williams ‘Live On Broadway’. It seems to go on for 5 minutes and without the visual you were totally fucked. I just wonder if some other comic heard the album, got curious and watched the dvd, and found out it was his own joke.
I guess it was easy to see coming, but damn;
http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/stern_sidekick_in_suicide_try_5m9Hwhn1OvpONlzbsiW3oJ
Wasn’t very impressed with the Jeff Dunham audio clip. I swear at several points you can hear his lips move.
(on a stick ?)
.
That’s my first exposure really to Jeff Dunham and it sounded to me like the crowd was responding the way they would to an 8th grade talent contest-polite applause and chuckling.
I have a question, is it ever appropriate to tell an open-miker maybe he should take up another hobby? Or if someone really is failing but seems to really want to do well, do you let them keep at it?
I have to disagree with Joel. I don’t think comedy is better as audio. CDs are a much easier way to enjoy comedy acts, but they are not better than being able to see the comedian.
I don’t just feel this way with “zany” comedians who jump around and make noise. I have Louis CKs “Chewed Up” on DVD and CD, and I think the DVD is phenomenally better. He’s not a physical comedian, but when he furrows his brow it adds volumes to the joke that you don’t experience when you’re listening to the cd.
Even when people are stoic on stage I think it adds to their act. They’re spitting all these hilarious words with no physical reaction to what they’re accomplishing. ie: Dan Mintz http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUNJeffmLZE
I don’t remember the last time I was telling a story to my friends and was like, “Hold on guys, let’s turn off the lights. Trust me, it will make it much better.”
Just my thoughts.
Lugnut, that’s an interesting question. Generally, I’d say no – eventually the ones who just don’t have the comedy gene will disappear. And occasionally someone who seems hopeless will turn around. Then again, I’ve seen guys do damage to a club’s business on pro-am/open-mike nights because they just kept coming, kept doing stupid shit (like reading the same weak jokes from the same cheat sheet for 6 months, or getting stoned and fucking off on stage). But ultimately, I think it’s the club’s responsibility to limit stage time, encourage some people to work harder, give honest feedback, etc.
I’m with Dan. No need to crush a dream. Let 14 years of 3 minute spots at open mics without ever a hint of moving up do it for you.
Regarding letting a terrible comic continue doing stand-up, Eddie Izzard famously died a death every gig during his first few years performing before his act fell into place. Mind you this very fact seems to be held onto by many deluded pisspoor acts that really should give up.
It seems kinda sad either way…
What do you guys think of the Jay Leno fiasco at NBC? Looks like this unfunny bastard is about to derail Conan’s career because he couldn’t hack it at an earlier time slot.
I’m very curious how the half-hour Jay Leno show will work out. It’s not like NBC late-night lineup changes have never happened before; the Tonight Show used to be 90 minutes long. So maybe this is just the next step.