There’s a lot of self loathing going on here. A lot of self loathing.
Topics on the day include pissing in the sink, getting a hard slap to the comedy face, more Dane Cook talk than I care to admit, another BTBer loses his comedy virginity, and the first listener requested comedy spotlight of the month. Why are bathrooms such a crapshoot?
Email: brianmcomedy@gmail.com and give us a call on 206-203-4692
I haven’t listened to the new episode yet, but I did listen to the new Standup Orlando, and I have to applaud you Brian. I like their show a lot, but their interviews are always with the most bitter, out-of-touch, cliche-ridden old fucks in the world. Congrats on interviewing people who have something good to say about the comedy business, or, barring that, at least an iota of perspective.
Hey, my apologies for not providing a report from the field at this years Kilkenny Cat Laughs comedy festival, I was unable to attend. In this tough times I had to choose between this and the Heineken Cup final. So comedy weekend with my girlfriend or rugby weekend with the lads, only one choice there.
Anyway Chortle has a very good blog of the weekend here
http://www.chortle.co.uk/features/2009/05/28/8972/the_cats_whiskerse
Found the comments on this weeks BTB on building ‘em up then knocking them down relating to Dane Cook and the backlash a lot of performers recieve once they stop being an underdog and achieve some level of success fascinating and timely.
This is perectly illustrated by the current insanity surrounding reality TV star Susan Boyle. She went from classic underdog to winner then back to backlash victim and loser in less than a few weeks. Now she’s had a massive breakdown and been hospitalized after not winning the Britain’s Got Talent final, she’s an underdog all over again, and ripe for some sort of comeback.
(Until the new comeback backlash of course.)
Man it’s all too much.
.
Dude! What a bummer about that hot chick! Why do they do that? It’s like she is saying; I’d almost do you, but you weren’t quite funny enough. Damn. You should have used that petsmart bit about your jack russel terrier. Dude, that bit kills. I still laugh at that, and I have listened to it like a thousand times.
Anyway, keep up the good work, this show rules!
Its true about underdog…but still Dane Cook material was weak in his last special. Also people who are goodlooking get an extra chance and given more credit. Maybe I’m just bitter.
I have a question for you seasoned comics. How do you read a crowd? – just started and have limited material so I can’t really change material too much but I have to imagine performing at college campus and retirement home you do diferent material….or do you?
Andrew Dice Clay was able to do material about how good his life was, banging broads, etc, but he framed it like of course this happens to all of us, whereas Dane Cook frames it more like of course this won’t happen to you, but it happens to me all the time. Fair to put it that way?
Leonardo,
Dice worked that kind of talk into his foulmouth Brooklyn everyman persona seamlessly because it was self-parodying. If Dane had more of an explicit fratboy persona (or whatever persona he has) that could handle self-parody, he’d pull it off, but he doesn’t really know how to make fun of himself. And it’s a little too late to start. That’s my take, at least.
I have a question for everyone. I have a full time job so I have security and I’ve always felt that because of that security it’s always held me back as a comic. It’s like having a job is my crutch. So the question is to become a great comic, do you have to take the risk and go for it all out and focus 100% on comedy?
Also, I’ve made the decision to move to England to pursue it full time in October so I’d love to meet up with some British blog style comment thread members to go out and do some shows. I can get your info off Brian if that’s cool.
I think I’ve made this request before, but I’m old and forgetful. Could you add something to the show notes/blog posts about the clips and comedians featured in each show?
Ryan, All good comedy is based on risk. A comedian who doesn’t takes risks is bound to become a hack comic, bland at best. It’s all about originality, and originality requires social risks. Take any comedian working today and analyze them. Not one of them is like another. Even one liners like Hedberg and Wright are completely distinct. And it has to be 100% balls out. If your stuff is original than the audience won’t recognize the humor
Right away. The perfect example of this is in Steve Martin’s autobiography. If it’s not 100% than you’ll give up before your genius is realized. Hedberg had the same problem.
It is my belief that we are all entreprenuers on stage. Original comedians are monopolist, and they get paid like them. If your stuff looks the same as someone elses than they would have already made The other person famous and they’d label you a look-a-like.
My apologies if this whole thing was one long tangent… I forgot your question half way through.
That’s some nice insite Drew. I agree with you! I go to open mic nights and you hear the same shit all the time. People don’t take risks and they are forgoten right after they get off stage. I am not saying to be a character but your material has to be diferent. I never though Dice was ever funny. But at least I remember him.
We just had our showcase at the Green Room on Hollywood Blvd tonight… right next to Marylyn Monroe’s sidewalk star.
The comedians all killed, there were lots of civilians, and the people who ran the club seemed happy with the show… Hopefully we get to come back. It would be a nice regular gig.
—Dennis the Emcee
So what do people think of Conan O’Brien on the Tonight Show? I for one am happy, 3 months without Conan was too long, and he doesn’t seem to have lost any of the Late Night magic. Looking forward to watching the show grow over the next few weeks.
I have nothing against Conan, but I don’t think The Tonight Show will ever recover the cache of the Carson years regardless of who’s at the helm. If you watch clips from almost any period of Carson’s reign, you see a spontaneity and a camaraderie with guests that Leno rarely if ever achieved. Leno really didn’t have an Ed McMahon or Paul Schaeffer as a foil, though Richter might revive that.
If Letterman had taken over from Carson, as Carson wanted, The Tonight Show would still be king and still have that edge. Conan would have been the heir apparent to the Late Night spot, and the Kimmels and Fergusons and the rest would have a hard time competing.
Just my .02
Anyone listen to the Matt Kirshen album? I think it was really good, one of the bright spots from last comic standing.