Comments on: Love To Hate

By: Mike Not Really

Mike Not Really — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 07:28:18 +0000

Anyone listen to the Matt Kirshen album? I think it was really good, one of the bright spots from last comic standing.

By: Dan Tessitore

Dan Tessitore — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:30:59 +0000

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

By: brian c

brian c — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 11:23:12 +0000

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.

By: Dennis Laganiere

Dennis Laganiere — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 06:20:20 +0000

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

By: Dominic

Dominic — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 12:12:40 +0000

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.

By: Drew Volle

Drew Volle — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 21:41:49 +0000

My apologies if this whole thing was one long tangent… I forgot your question half way through.

By: Drew Volle

Drew Volle — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 21:32:50 +0000

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.

By: Allen

Allen — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 07:33:38 +0000

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?

By: Ryan

Ryan — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 03:43:12 +0000

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.

By: Richard

Richard — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 20:28:46 +0000

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.