Comments on: Internet Killed The Comedy Star http://behindthebricks.com/internet-killed-the-comedy-star Stand-up Stripped Down Mon, 06 Sep 2010 23:01:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Dan http://behindthebricks.com/internet-killed-the-comedy-star/comment-page-1#comment-4078 Dan Thu, 15 May 2008 05:31:05 +0000 http://behindthebricks.com/?p=105#comment-4078 There's a guy in Indy who shows up once a month for the Tuesday open mic, Carl K: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=34658454 He has one of the best old-guy bits I've ever heard: "I like biscuits and gravy. It reminds me of oral sex." There’s a guy in Indy who shows up once a month for the Tuesday open mic, Carl K:

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=34658454

He has one of the best old-guy bits I’ve ever heard: “I like biscuits and gravy. It reminds me of oral sex.”

]]> By: Margaret France http://behindthebricks.com/internet-killed-the-comedy-star/comment-page-1#comment-4077 Margaret France Thu, 15 May 2008 04:02:08 +0000 http://behindthebricks.com/?p=105#comment-4077 Of course there are famous examples of incredible talents starting early. If you are an incredible talent, it doesn't matter when you start. I think that the problem with young comics is that there are a lot of them, and they show their influences more than older comics do because they have less life-stuff going on. I'm jealous of them, too, because stage presence is so important and that is something that you can improve even if your material is basically a paraphrase of (God help us) Vicious Circle. Most of the people I see starting in the bay area are either really young (majority), going through a divorce, or in some sort of midlife crisis. I'm much closer to a midlife crisis and I think the disintegration of anyone's marriage is hilarious, so of course I like the old folks better. Of course there are famous examples of incredible talents starting early. If you are an incredible talent, it doesn’t matter when you start.

I think that the problem with young comics is that there are a lot of them, and they show their influences more than older comics do because they have less life-stuff going on. I’m jealous of them, too, because stage presence is so important and that is something that you can improve even if your material is basically a paraphrase of (God help us) Vicious Circle.

Most of the people I see starting in the bay area are either really young (majority), going through a divorce, or in some sort of midlife crisis. I’m much closer to a midlife crisis and I think the disintegration of anyone’s marriage is hilarious, so of course I like the old folks better.

]]> By: Dan http://behindthebricks.com/internet-killed-the-comedy-star/comment-page-1#comment-4076 Dan Thu, 15 May 2008 03:02:34 +0000 http://behindthebricks.com/?p=105#comment-4076 I hope I didn't come off as being against anyone under a certain age getting on the mike. There are those who get it. Bill Hicks started at 14 as well. I hope I didn’t come off as being against anyone under a certain age getting on the mike. There are those who get it. Bill Hicks started at 14 as well.

]]> By: Ryan http://behindthebricks.com/internet-killed-the-comedy-star/comment-page-1#comment-4075 Ryan Wed, 14 May 2008 14:10:04 +0000 http://behindthebricks.com/?p=105#comment-4075 I totally agree with you Aman, I see the younger comics and and you can tell the ones that will succeed due to their passion. I was always jealous of them because I felt like they have such a head start on me so its nice to hear the argument from both sides. In the end funny is funny, regardless of age. I totally agree with you Aman, I see the younger comics and and you can tell the ones that will succeed due to their passion. I was always jealous of them because I felt like they have such a head start on me so its nice to hear the argument from both sides. In the end funny is funny, regardless of age.

]]> By: brian http://behindthebricks.com/internet-killed-the-comedy-star/comment-page-1#comment-4074 brian Wed, 14 May 2008 12:49:51 +0000 http://behindthebricks.com/?p=105#comment-4074 I think it's awesome that you docked them for going over their time. Much like in the real comedy world, it doesn't matter how funny you are, you're still gonna get your ass chewed out if you go over. I think it’s awesome that you docked them for going over their time. Much like in the real comedy world, it doesn’t matter how funny you are, you’re still gonna get your ass chewed out if you go over.

]]> By: Sina Amedson http://behindthebricks.com/internet-killed-the-comedy-star/comment-page-1#comment-4073 Sina Amedson Wed, 14 May 2008 07:45:55 +0000 http://behindthebricks.com/?p=105#comment-4073 Don't you guys think it's so much funnier when people aren't trying to be funny? Check out this video of Bill O'Reilly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t857cprZs1o Don’t you guys think it’s so much funnier when people aren’t trying to be funny?

Check out this video of Bill O’Reilly:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t857cprZs1o

]]> By: Grammar-Nazi http://behindthebricks.com/internet-killed-the-comedy-star/comment-page-1#comment-4072 Grammar-Nazi Wed, 14 May 2008 03:31:42 +0000 http://behindthebricks.com/?p=105#comment-4072 Brian, In response to your question in the show, the C on the stand-up exam was due to time, but the opposite extreme of what you expected. I told them five to seven minutes; he went 10, and I had to force him to leave the stage. If he had been funny, he might have gotten a B, but you have to know when your material sucks, you should shut up, don't you think? And as for the drunk student, the only funny thing she did was fall off the stage. However, she spilled my wife's drink in the process, so she lost any hope for pratfall credit.... Brian,

In response to your question in the show, the C on the stand-up exam was due to time, but the opposite extreme of what you expected. I told them five to seven minutes; he went 10, and I had to force him to leave the stage. If he had been funny, he might have gotten a B, but you have to know when your material sucks, you should shut up, don’t you think?

And as for the drunk student, the only funny thing she did was fall off the stage. However, she spilled my wife’s drink in the process, so she lost any hope for pratfall credit….

]]> By: Aman Ali http://behindthebricks.com/internet-killed-the-comedy-star/comment-page-1#comment-4071 Aman Ali Tue, 13 May 2008 20:38:43 +0000 http://behindthebricks.com/?p=105#comment-4071 I see where everyone is coming from saying comics starting later have an easier time easing into the field, but obviously everyone matures differently. Eddie Murphy was tearing up the New York standup scene at an early age and landed a role on Saturday Night Live at age 19. Dave Chappelle started doing standup at age 14 and landed a role in Robin Hood Men in Tights at age 20. Sure these two are rare examples, but I think whats more important than age in comedy is passion and stamina. If an 8 year old wants to get on stage and tell jokes, who cares let him. Younger comics might have a harder time easing into the field, but hey if they have passion to succeed they will. And yes I have a bias because I'm 22 year old comic :) I see where everyone is coming from saying comics starting later have an easier time easing into the field, but obviously everyone matures differently. Eddie Murphy was tearing up the New York standup scene at an early age and landed a role on Saturday Night Live at age 19. Dave Chappelle started doing standup at age 14 and landed a role in Robin Hood Men in Tights at age 20.

Sure these two are rare examples, but I think whats more important than age in comedy is passion and stamina.

If an 8 year old wants to get on stage and tell jokes, who cares let him. Younger comics might have a harder time easing into the field, but hey if they have passion to succeed they will.

And yes I have a bias because I’m 22 year old comic :)

]]> By: Dan http://behindthebricks.com/internet-killed-the-comedy-star/comment-page-1#comment-4070 Dan Tue, 13 May 2008 13:27:29 +0000 http://behindthebricks.com/?p=105#comment-4070 I agree about the age thing, but I'm biased because I started "late." The only drawback is perhaps lacking the will, or the stamina, to be on the road a lot. Then again, I don't mind turning down the opportunity to drive 300 miles for $100 and no room. Most, if not all, of the early-20-somethings I see are all flash and no substance. They jump around like Dane Cook in their A&F shirts and pre-torn jeans and peacock for the sorority table, and that's pretty much it. Either that or they're totally derivative of Hedberg. I agree about the age thing, but I’m biased because I started “late.” The only drawback is perhaps lacking the will, or the stamina, to be on the road a lot. Then again, I don’t mind turning down the opportunity to drive 300 miles for $100 and no room.

Most, if not all, of the early-20-somethings I see are all flash and no substance. They jump around like Dane Cook in their A&F shirts and pre-torn jeans and peacock for the sorority table, and that’s pretty much it. Either that or they’re totally derivative of Hedberg.

]]> By: Margaret France http://behindthebricks.com/internet-killed-the-comedy-star/comment-page-1#comment-4069 Margaret France Tue, 13 May 2008 03:54:10 +0000 http://behindthebricks.com/?p=105#comment-4069 Ryan, I know what you mean about starting late. I started when I was 28 or 29, but I actually think it's an advantage, because 20 year olds don't have much to talk about outside of comedy (Jay Black made a good case for this). They also still do hard drugs, which makes me feel like an old lady when I kick it with the comics. Most important, as a grown-up-type, I am less tempted by road pussy. I know most of it is either not worth it or really not worth it. I think these are major advantages for the codgers. I'll bet the young'uns can counter them, but I'm a little hard of hearing so they best type in all caps. Ryan,
I know what you mean about starting late. I started when I was 28 or 29, but I actually think it’s an advantage, because 20 year olds don’t have much to talk about outside of comedy (Jay Black made a good case for this). They also still do hard drugs, which makes me feel like an old lady when I kick it with the comics.

Most important, as a grown-up-type, I am less tempted by road pussy. I know most of it is either not worth it or really not worth it.

I think these are major advantages for the codgers. I’ll bet the young’uns can counter them, but I’m a little hard of hearing so they best type in all caps.

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