Stand up recs

[eumaas]

Of course, the lows (bombing) are about as awful as I've ever felt.

"There's a flaw in the dialectic!"

[Wolter]

Of course, the lows (bombing) are about as awful as I've ever felt.

"There's a flaw in the dialectic!"

Oddly, that was my first night. And I didn't do that badly, even if that line came out unbidden.

But, I guarantee you, if I were not at The Comedy Zone in Charleston, SC, I might have made that line work.

[Dr. Medulla]

A comedian who can't read a room isn't funny—simple as that.

It's hard as hell, let me tell you. My very brief foray into that was semi-successful, but it is a skillset that combines native ability AND experience. But those moments when you are actually on (I think I had 2-3 out of the dozen or so times I went up) and can feel the pulse of the audience are better than any high I've ever had.

Of course, the lows (bombing) are about as awful as I've ever felt.

I imagine it's not that different a skill set as a political stump speaker. Every performance is different just because the crowd will be different, and timing and inflection have to accommodate. It's yet another example of why I dislike so much the attitude that "comedy is easy." No fucking way. Ever told a joke to even a few friends and you know that you're telling it poorly based on their reaction? Just a wretched feeling because there's really no way out.

[Wolter]

A comedian who can't read a room isn't funny—simple as that.

It's hard as hell, let me tell you. My very brief foray into that was semi-successful, but it is a skillset that combines native ability AND experience. But those moments when you are actually on (I think I had 2-3 out of the dozen or so times I went up) and can feel the pulse of the audience are better than any high I've ever had.

Of course, the lows (bombing) are about as awful as I've ever felt.

I imagine it's not that different a skill set as a political stump speaker. Every performance is different just because the crowd will be different, and timing and inflection have to accommodate. It's yet another example of why I dislike so much the attitude that "comedy is easy." No fucking way. Ever told a joke to even a few friends and you know that you're telling it poorly based on their reaction? Just a wretched feeling because there's really no way out.

The difference between bad drama and bad comedy is that bad drama bores you, bad comedy ANGERS you.

And, having acted on-and-off for the last 15 years, I can honestly say it's nowhere near as harrowing. If the audience isn't pleased by your performance, then you rationalize it by saying they didn't like the dialogue, the character, the direction, the way some other actor played off you, or any of a number of things. If they don't like your standup, they don't like YOU. And there's no avoiding it or rationalizing it.

I think that's part of why so many standups are miseralbly depressed and some have a pathological need to pander to the crowds for validation.

[Dr. Medulla]

A comedian who can't read a room isn't funny—simple as that.

It's hard as hell, let me tell you. My very brief foray into that was semi-successful, but it is a skillset that combines native ability AND experience. But those moments when you are actually on (I think I had 2-3 out of the dozen or so times I went up) and can feel the pulse of the audience are better than any high I've ever had.

Of course, the lows (bombing) are about as awful as I've ever felt.

I imagine it's not that different a skill set as a political stump speaker. Every performance is different just because the crowd will be different, and timing and inflection have to accommodate. It's yet another example of why I dislike so much the attitude that "comedy is easy." No fucking way. Ever told a joke to even a few friends and you know that you're telling it poorly based on their reaction? Just a wretched feeling because there's really no way out.

The difference between bad drama and bad comedy is that bad drama bores you, bad comedy ANGERS you.

You can still enjoy a bad drama or action flick or horror movie by accepting the ridiculousness or internally mocking it. It's damn difficult to do that with comedy—it just doesn't leave that wiggle room because it depends so much on herding the audience properly.

And, having acted on-and-off for the last 15 years, I can honestly say it's nowhere near as harrowing. If the audience isn't pleased by your performance, then you rationalize it by saying they didn't like the dialogue, the character, the direction, the way some other actor played off you, or any of a number of things. If they don't like your standup, they don't like YOU. And there's no avoiding it or rationalizing it.

I think that's part of why so many standups are miseralbly depressed and some have a pathological need to pander to the crowds for validation.

I agree wholeheartedly. Insecurity is also good for comedians because they're more aware of human failings, which is the essence of most (all?) humour. But that need for validation is definitely there. Johnny Carson, for example, basically didn't exist when the camera wasn't on. At parties, he'd basically find the corner and try to hide. Being friends with a standup, I suspect, would be less laughter than we would hope.

[CorwoodRep]

Being serious for a second, I think you should listen to 2:22 instead of the Feelin' Kinda Patton edit, matedog. You may not think it's funnier, but it develops a lot more smoothly, his pacing is more effective (it comes across as too punchy in the edit, which kills some of his build-up), and you'll almost certainly have more respect for his process. Because while you don't have to find Oswalt funny, you also shouldn't dismiss him as too crude or one-note or whatever, because that's not what he's about. (Also, his sophomore album is better too.)

[Marky Dread]

Bill Hicks or Derek & Clive hit the spot for me.

[matedog]

Being serious for a second, I think you should listen to 2:22 instead of the Feelin' Kinda Patton edit, matedog. You may not think it's funnier, but it develops a lot more smoothly, his pacing is more effective (it comes across as too punchy in the edit, which kills some of his build-up), and you'll almost certainly have more respect for his process. Because while you don't have to find Oswalt funny, you also shouldn't dismiss him as too crude or one-note or whatever, because that's not what he's about. (Also, his sophomore album is better too.)

It didn't come with the download pack. I also have Live at Maxwell, Minneapolis, No Reason to Complain, The Hero Who Saves the Day, Werewolves and Lollipops. Some of those might be boots. Any of those I should try my next LA drive?

Again, I enjoyed it. I just thought he went on too long on many bits with out ever changing the joke. I did enjoy the bit about the internet porn solicitation. He developed it in that the joke was different throughout. It was an absurd solicitation and the reasons it was absurd varied throughout the joke.

[Flex]

It didn't come with the download pack. I also have Live at Maxwell, Minneapolis, No Reason to Complain, The Hero Who Saves the Day, Werewolves and Lollipops. Some of those might be boots. Any of those I should try my next LA drive?

I listened to No Reason to Complain earlier today and remembered how enjoyable it was. That one has the Flex seal of approval anyways.

[CorwoodRep]

Hero Who Saves The Day is the first disc of 2:22. The second disc is The Hero Who Gets Away With It. I can send it to you if you're actually interested.

[matedog]

Hero Who Saves The Day is the first disc of 2:22. The second disc is The Hero Who Gets Away With It. I can send it to you if you're actually interested.

I will try the first disc for now and if I really dig it, I'll give you a holla.

[CorwoodRep]

*Villain Who Gets Away With It, for posterity.

[Dr. Medulla]

Two approaches for dealing with hecklers (NSFW, for those of you with crybaby coworkers):
[youtube][/youtube]

[youtube][/youtube]

[Silent Majority]

I find Dave Chapelle to be criminally underrated.

[Flex]

I find Dave Chapelle to be criminally underrated.

I always thought he was pretty highly regarded. Maybe it's with you young whippersnappers, since he sort of purposely crashed his career while he was on top.

I think he's great. An occasional dud bit here and there, but mostly quite excellent.