Public Domain Comedy Videos

...Comedy Videos in the public domain...

So I know it's been a while, and I'm going to try and make it up to you with: Public Domain Comedy Videos!!!

Yes, you can catch such timeless classics such as, "I LOVE LUCY" (hint-hint), right on this kick-butt website.

So if you're an old school comedy fan (emphasis on "old"), check out the URL:

http://www.pdcomedy.com/

Enjoy it!

And if you haven't signed up for the Comedy Launch---then you'll be disappointed. (I'll leave it at that!)

~ Ciao!
Lucy

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The Idiotic Notion that got me started in comedy, Part 1

So blogspot is getting the best of me these days, disallowing any of my neat interview podcasts to post. So I have to resort to a lame "Where did this comedy idea come from?" post. Well, fine blogspot, you may have won the battle, but I still have an army behind me of graphic designers that are going to rip your insides out and make them pretty for all to see---bwah-ha-ha-ha!! (Whoops! Halloween was last month!)

So how did this idea of comedy get into my head? To be honest, this memory didn't resurface until a conversation on the phone yesterday with a dear high school friend. For some odd reason, I blocked out this memory per chance because it was too painful.

Grabs your high chairs kids, gather around the fire, because momma's going to take you back... waaaayyy back to kindergarten, with Mrs. Johnson. Yes, I said it, Mrs. Johnson. Generic name, right? I'm not making this one up.

Mrs. Johnson lead the first grade class (whoops, already my memory is jumping years) in an annual Christmas school play. Each class had to perform their own version of whatever twisted zombie reindeer rendition to impress the parents. But because there were so many of us little 'uns, they threw in some ancillary characters: A Mother and Father Christmas tree. Enter yours truly: I was "Mother Christmas Tree". And Papa Christmas Tree and I, during all that time in Spelling and Grammar when we were supposed to be memorizing lines, we opted for doodling of dirty pictures, and making sure each was properly labeled--Butt, BOO-bies, and whatever that thing is below the belt. Vag-enis or was it Pen-gina?

Anyway, when it came time to bring the house down, Mr. Christmas and myself felt adequate. We sorta knew our lines. "Pen-gina." I remember during rehearsal that my cue was to speak after he did. I speak after he does. What it was exactly I should be saying still hadn't settled into my easily distracted and precocious brain. I just knew he spoke first.

Fast forward to School Play Day: The audience had been filled with anxious parents and restless kids. All the other classmates had not only memorized their lines, but they had done them so well, that people laughed after each bit. Genius, I tell you! I watched off stage in amazement. I took careful note of the cadence. Line. Line. Laughter. Line. Line. Laughter.

I found myself on stage with my green turtleneck on to blend in with my very carefully designed costume. I bore a sharp resemblance to a North American White Spruce. Meanwhile, Mr. Christmas Tree had become petrified. He somehow had allowed stage fright to set in. I didn't know where this was going, but I sensed all together downhill. Everyone else had gotten their laughs. It was Mr. Christmas's turn and he was bombing--big time. He just kept repeating the same two words in hopes that the other eight would magically fall out of his mouth. I knew it was now or never. I had to get that bit of laughter for him---for my partner in pervvy crime.

So what would a faithful Christmas tree wife do? Make silly faces to the audience. And just like I had anticipated, the laughter followed. It came in waves. I was overwhelmed by them. Unfortunately, so was Mr. Christmas. He thought they were laughing at his incompetence, failing to memorize a simple few lines. The audience finished laughing, yet Mr. Christmas hadn't quite finished crying.

I glanced offstage to meet a look of disappointment by Mrs. Johnson. What did she know? She wouldn't know good comedy if it shed pine needles on her front lawn. Make room on the couch, Letterman. A star was born! But only after I paid my dues in the "Timeout chair". (Sigh)



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All inhibitions out the window: Part 2 (edited)

[If you would like to see Part 1, click here.]

A lot of people are afraid to say what they want. That's why they don't get what they want. -- Madonna

Can you believe I quoted Madonna? I have a love/hate relationship with Madonna and her actions. I pretty much can't stand anything she's done post her Erotica album, "The Girlie Show Tour". But her quote highlights the point I need to make in this post. And it sort of parlays into another point-- so bear with me in this verbose post.

I've come to a realization that "I don't care anymore." My goal as a standup comic is not simply shock value (i.e. Howard Stern, Sarah Silverman) but to teach, to open horizons, to offer new perspectives, and to force you (yes, you, the audience member, the blog reader, you) to finally (to use a trite phrase) think "outside of the box." This all may be construed as making you uncomfortable. Yeah, are you squirming in your seat, yet? Well, hang tight!

Change is the bane of many a person's existence. I, for one, revel in it. I like to be challenged, travel to new places, speak to different and interesting people, and hear and learn about new and innovative ideas. (Could I have used the word "and" any more?)

My motivation is to make you (the audience member) feel a little uncomfortable. To squirm in your seat--to have you go home after the show and, dare I say it, THINK!

So now I said it! Are you happy Madonna? I wrote it. I'm not afraid to say it. It's documented. It's now in the comedy ether! It's floating through the universe. It will happen!

Overall, I feel comedians are too passive. I mean, yeah, they get on stage and speak (that's fairly active). But they use comedy, the medium, simply to make people laugh.

To me that's boring. I think there should be more behind it.

Why not make people laugh AND have them go home thinking about what was said? Why not have a p.o.v. and express it?

I'm not saying it hasn't been done ever. But as of late, I haven't seen it.

The Daily Show does it everyday. However, I don't think The Daily Show steers their viewers one way or another. There's no bias with The Daily Show, which I believe is safe and passive. The Daily Show, like high school and college, should teach their viewers to critically think. I know that if someone rails against my comedy, at least they're thinking. At least they took the time to develop an opinion. I think the opposite reaction, eating up the message passively, is exactly what George Orwell was profiling in 1984 and Animal Farm.

In the world of Info-tainment, standup comedians are the ideal denizens. They can entertain people AND have them think, perhaps even motivate!

So let me tie this back to Madonna. Madonna brought sex to the forefront via music and via her performances. All her antics were personal and direct affronts to several cultures and people. And she changed the way people saw women---as smart, powerful, sexual beings. That I dig!

Kabbalah childrens books-- I don't dig. (But that's for another post.)

Comedians, now and have always been, in the perfect position to do a complete overhaul in entertainment and in society.

We are the mavericks, the leaders, the harbingers, the forerunners.

We are the barometers of society.

* * *

Recently, I was approached in a NYC subway by a man from Michigan. He was perhaps in his late 40s, early 50s and white. He needed directions. And me, being the opportunistic deipnosophist I am, happily gave them to him--but not without some form of compensation. Eventually, after he digested my directions, we sat down together to wait for the next train. I think to myself, "Take advantage of this situation to conduct an experiment."

Now I must let you know that I'm quite the eager conversationalist. And I'm ready to carry on with anybody who approaches, sometimes even against their will. Concerning all impromptu public encounters, I carefully select my words when speaking, glancing furtively at my listener always keeping him in mind while running my mouth. I'm very self aware during all of my conversations--all five senses overlapping and receiving signals. I'm forever taking into account the state of my listener. And I would my babbling as staccato--rambling but strategically punctuated with comfortable silences.

Now, I don't know Michigan. I'm not familiar--I've never been. But I have heard how down right conservative, highly catholic, and basically racist it is, from both black and white residents (former and current). (If you don't believe me, Detriot, MI is noted in the US Census as "the most racially segregated region in the country".

I do know about the ethnic makeup the distinct ethnic enclaves, and the vast, vast, vast, cultural segregation that takes place (i.e. Ann Arbor, Detroit, Northern Michigan.) I believe the Roman Catholicism plays a big role in the segregation. It's a highly Roman Catholic state.

And me, being the upstart I am, broached upon this controversial and undoubtedly uncomfortable topic with this man. A Thai girlfriend of mine in medical school mentioned that she has another East Indian friend who is currently living in Northern Michigan--truly a "sticking out like a sore thumb" situation.

I then recounted the story my Thai friend told me, about the East Indian's life in Northern Michigan, to this man. In a very matter of fact sense, he didn't really have an opinion. He did agree it was very Roman Catholic state and he talked a bit about how homogeneous it is in Northern Michigan. But he clearly didn't want to venture into any other avenues, where the conversation easily could have traveled in.

I even said the word, "racist." Obviously a word white people don't want to hear, partly because it's a heated word that creates controversy. And maybe because it's a slight bit accusatory. But I was tempted. I truly wanted to see how he would react.

Why aren't white people willing to say, "Yeah, that's racist area."? Or "Those are racist people."? Or, "Someone who is not white or Roman Catholic might have a hard time living there."? Why is that so hard to for white people admit? And remember that I'm super aware--of both his movements, and my tone. I made sure NOT to sound accusatory. Trust me. I was very innocuous and Seinfeld-ian about it: Why is it so hard to admit? Granted this conversation lasted a total of 3.5 mins. It was indeed long enough to get to the meat of the matter. He deftly avoided it and train finally arrived. We went our separate ways.

Why is it so hard for white people to admit?

I, for one, know that I get special treatment for being a woman, mainly from men, more specifically black men. I'm attractive, but I'm not THAT attractive. I rank maybe a 6.43 out of 10. (.43 instead of .5 because I don't wear my hair down as often as I should--and hence I get points docked.) But either way, I know I will always get a discount at the local pizza shoppe if I flirt with the manager, or if I wear a skirt that day. That is a form of privilege that I'm willing to admit to receiving. That's where "Ladies Nights" at clubs stem from. And within the comedy scene, women are catered to because there are so few of us. But I wouldn't receive that privilege, if I were not a woman. AND I'm willing to admit it. I acknowledge that!

Anyway, regarding the Michigan Man:
my main objective in this conversation was to get him thinking. After all, he's visiting New York, a seemingly diverse "melting pot." And he's riding the subway, which is what a lot of tourists skillfully avoid because of NYC folklore revolving around gangs. And he had the balls to approach me, a black female. He can't be THAT racist. Perhaps, he isn't at all.

With regards to the words "racist" and "nigger", I feel like the "R" word incites more feeling than the "N" word when used in front of white people. I think the "R-word" is the white person's "N-word"--the word that gets them all pent up and bothered. Calling a white person the "R" word seems to be an egregious and offensive act.

Understandable.

Who would not be offended by either term?

- Someone who is.
- Someone who isn't.

Here's a scenario:
You call someone a racist. There are two outcomes:

1.) The accused is a racist and is proud of it, but is wise enough not to say anything--and doesn't.

2.) Or he isn't racist, knows he isn't, and still doesn't say anything.

It's the latter, the fake racists, that I have a problem with. I assume this man fell into the latter category.

So why not say something? Again, it was a short amount of time, I am a stranger, and maybe his personality doesn't warrant discussing "hot button issues" with upstart comedians. Perhaps, that's the way he was raised.

But I really do feel more white people have a duty to welcome conversations like the one mentioned above. And also they should feel comfortable saying, "Yeah, I'm white and privileged because of it." Now where they go in the conversation after that is up to them. But I feel the first step to ending racism is to admit it, observe it, be conscious of it, and ideally work towards leveling it off. Of course, there's no incentive to someone losing power--losing privilege.

And also, if you're really not racist, then why not just come out and say it? Or make mention of it. Why can't you admit that perhaps a member of your family or other folks in your circle are--but you aren't. You're enlightened.

For someone to say, "Yeah, I'm a racist," at least you know they're bastards and they're being honest about it. They're basically nodding their heads and saying "Yes, I subscribe to that ideology." (Although, they probably wouldn't say it with such grace and eloquence.)

So that's why I feel 80% of the world is racist. Secretly racist, by not willing to say what's really on their mind.

Same goes with the N-word amongst blacks. I haven't figured out if I care enough about the word. I am in that minority that the term is directed. But I don't care because I know I'm not one. So I don't get offended when the word is used even when directed at me and coming out of non-black's mouth.

I invite your thoughts...Please comment...and send this article to friends...and invite them to comment.


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Standup comedy is unnatural

So I was having a discussion with a writer-turned-standup comic, recently. And we were both trying to make sense of our uncanny desire to get on stage. Essentially, we are willing to risk public humiliation, be secretly judged, and experience our 5-7 minutes of fame (in exchange for a one-drink-minimum), for what? And why? Why? Why? Why?

We both we went silent.

Him: It's unnatural.
Me: Right.
Him: It's perverse.
Me: Uh, huh.
Him: No other animal or specie subjects themselves to such painful and masochistic conditions.
Me: You said it, brotha.

And with those last words, we walked to the nearest train station and parted ways.

But his words stayed with me.

He's completely right. People run away from any form of public speaking, especially standup comedy.

Actors have lines written by someone else, usually about someone else. But this is all me. Nothing is hidden. This is all truth. When I get onstage it's me--naked, pure, and most importantly, vulnerable. The gloves come off, folks!

And for the same reason, that is why audiences are so fascinated. People are terrified of getting on stage and speaking their mind. (Unfortunately, this is a result of culture, our family construct, and our educational system.) So if someone else is willing to do it, you as the audience are happy you're not doing.

It's sort of like watching someone eat it while crossing the street. If they do a faceplant while in public, everybody watching is happy that it wasn't them.

Audiences are attracted to the raw truth and honesty. A standup comic is going to virtually read their most personal thoughts and dreams and present them to you on stage--ready for you to cut them down and make waste of them (if you so choose).

Every entertainer exposes themselves somewhat: writers/authors, singers/songwriters, dancers/performance artists, poets/painters, etc.
Standup comedians stand at the top of the heap when it comes exposure and humiliation. We're the Jesus Christ of entertainment when it comes to pain and suffering to lead people to a better path--only to get shot down at the end. (Did I go too far with that last analogy?)

Standup comedy is completely the opposite of what we've been taught as human beings. We all remember swearing never to fall in love again after that dreamy boy (or girl) at the playground rejected us for some other douchebag with the latest game on the Sega Genesis system. Well, take that experience and amplify it 100 times and add some feelings of guilt and sprinkle some familial exile for the next 5-7 years. "You said what about Mom on stage?"

The lesson we have since learned, "Protect yourself, remain strong, and keep your mouth shut!"

My standup comic comedy friend tried to then make comparisons to nature. Monkeys, Zebras, Whales, Kangaroos... none of these guys get on stage in front of their animal brethren and try to make them laugh! You don't see lions trying to make the entire pride laugh it up. What is that? What is this perverse mindset? What are we thinking?

We are not animals. We can reason. So shouldn't we reason our way out of this? Shouldn't we figure out the easiest way is just not to get on stage in the first place? Technically, we're putting ourselves in danger. That is the opposite of reason. So then perhaps the animals are smarter than we are.

Duly noted. But we still want it... however unnatural it is.

---ADDENDUM---
"Neque porro quisquam est qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit..."

"There is no one who loves pain itself, who seeks after it and wants to have it, simply because it is pain..."


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Laughing for laughing's sake

Like whoa! -Black Rob

Thanks to RAFFI for this topic. His post on his blog, CitizenMindful,
Laughing my Asinine off is what inspired today's post.

About two weeks ago, I attended The Brooklyn Comedy Company's monthly show, "Shades Of Black: The Breakdown".

I wasn't sure what to expect, so I first took a guess and predicted that I would experience either one of two types of black comedy. (Black as in Afr. American, not to be mistaken for black as in dark comedy.)

Either the:
- Angry black comics (neo-soul, right-fist in the air type of comedy)

or the...

- BET Comicview / Showtime at the Apollo type of comedy.

I was happy to say that I got neither.
To get a better idea of the type of comedy, click here.

Overall, the comedy was pretty good. I would rate it at a 7.5 out of 10. Not laugh out loud, bust a gut--but definitely good!

So I entered the show, at a time that I thought I would be late. (The flyer said 8pm.) Instead, I got there around 9pm, because I had a busy Comedy Run that night. To my benefit, the show had just started. (Thank God for CPT.) Anyway, the show was packed, with a mixed crowd--black and whites, and some blacks with whites (Yep, interracial couples, folks! I'm going to take this moment and quote Black Rob and say, "Like whoa!") Interracial couples front row at a comedy show? (Now, that's takin' some liberties that most would not feel comfortable doing--even in NYC. That's begging to be made fun of*, or at least pointed out.) I think of interracial dating constantly, so much that it became a monomania. (Thank you Free Dictionary.com!)

Okay, so now the show has started, and it's going well. Typically, with all comedy shows, there's a host. The host's role is not to steal the show or anyone's thunder, but to keep things rolling. Some times the host tells mild jokes, minor stories or chats up the audience (crowd work) just to keep the energy light--but nothing hard-hitting. The host is not there to make laugh out loud gut-busting jokes.

That being said, someone should have told the couple in the back row that this was the case. This couple made no bones about laughing at everything the host said. The host would be in the middle of the joke, just about to give the punchline, and this couple would burst out laughing--first started by the woman cackling and the boyfriend filling in where she left off. And it was so disconcerting that even the host stopped her set for a bit and addressed the outrageous couple in the back. And to add some color the picture, the couple was white. (Not all black people are loud and obnoxious, you prejudiced pricks---white people are, too!)

Anyway, it did get to the point of irksome and perhaps even greatly annoying, to the point of members of the audience turning around and glaring, like you would do in a movie theater.

My point is that, as much as we comedians want you to have a good time and laugh, it's very unfunny if you laugh at everything. It throws off our radar. We can't tell what really is funny and what's not. It's also extremely disturbing to not only the joke-tellers, but to the rest of the audience.

So I'm saying, like RAFFI, be mindful. We understand you had too much to drink, but don't ruin it for everyone else.


* There's a theory that the reason why you don't see certain groups/demographics represented a comedy shows are because they're afraid of getting made fun of. For example: Fat people, and Asians. I'm not being racist myself. I'm just repeating conversations that I've had with other comedians. I should be like dragnet: "Just the facts ma'am," but I guess this is closer to hearsay.

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Friday, the 13th--a day of happiness!

Today's friday the 13th. One my favorite days to celebrate. Good things always seem to happen on said day. Most of the day was spent studying. And thinking and more thinking.

...my link cherry has been popped...

I wrote (or at least thought about) a few jokes. Nothing noteworthy, but I earned new blogger friends, and my link cherry has been popped today.

I haven't been on stage in about a week and I'm going through a bit of withdrawal. But then I think about the cash I have to drop to get on stage and I then I no longer feel guilty for not being on stage.

I still find joke writing to be a bit of a chore. I tried churning out a few with my sibling. And then I thought about a piece of advice I was given from comedy great Greer Barnes.

Mr. Barnes mentioned that if you hear or think of a joke in your head and you proceed to tell that joke the exact way you heard it in your head, then 99.9% of the time, the joke will work. But the problem with comedy writing and joke telling is that the way you hear it in your head is not always the way it comes out. It's the translation that is difficult. And I've always been sharp with the pen, vocabulary, and linguistics in general. But I've realized this all has to do with recall--pure, unadulterated recall. I find myself racing to a pen and paper over running to my digital voice recorder, because the DVR throws me off sometimes. I would start with telling the joke into the recorder and thinking about what I just said in the middle of finishing the next sentence, missing the phrasing of the following sentences, because I'm so tuned into what's coming out of my mouth. It's probably the verbal equivalent of a copy of copy-- perhaps feedback. Yeah, I speak and all I get is feedback. Yeah, you don't want to be in the same room when I climax.

God help me. I missing some key jokes.

I am Jack's smirking revenge.
I am Jack's cold sweat.
I am Jack's raging bile duct.
I am Jack's colon.
I am Jack's complete lack of surprise.
I am Jack's wasted life.
I am Jack's inflamed sense of rejection.
I am Jack's broken heart.

I am my own distraction.

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The Transition

All I can say is that the "transition" from audience member (timid wannabe) to active and determined standup comic is fast! It's quick. Quite literally it's at breakneck speed. I think all the difference lies in confidence.

...I've surpassed death...

First things first: If you're just starting out, your jokes don't have to be that good. I mean, 'Yes,' eventually you should be able to make the audience laugh on your own merit. But a lot of the hilarity of your jokes lie in your persona. And most, if not all, of your persona lies in your stage presence.

So let's do the math: Good stage presence --leads to--> easy to translate (i.e. good) persona --which leads to--> funnier jokes. Get it, folks?

It's important to get your original personality out there.

I remember being on the other side of the line thinking, "Oh my god, how do they do it?" And finally, I did it. I got on stage, and I hear a voice introducing me as a standup comic. And then it's over. I've completely transitioned. I'm on the other side of the fence, fully and completely. I've entered a land and crossed a border and the views of which the majority of people will never even dare to venture. It's truly magical.

People now say to me, "I can't believe you do that."

And for a moment in time I couldn't either, but now it's very tangible--very real.

Take a dive.

Seinfeld mentions people would rather be in the coffin than giving the eulogy. This is a part of his joke about the "Top Two Fears in the World." The biggest fear is public speaking. Second is death.

And I've surpassed death.

It makes me wonder, 'Was I always earmarked for standup comedy?'
Because the moment I receive that mic in my hand, I feel at home. Almost like a rapper, aka emcee.

And how does doing standup comedy in NYC compare to doing standup in any other city?

I wouldn't know. I didn't start out in any other city. But from what I've heard echoed in the streets of the village, most people come to NYC having held title as big fish in their little small town pond. And NYC is the ocean with a ton of once big fish, now genetically dwarfed into little fish. They all hope to crack the formula for the antidote to become big once again.

One thing I have noticed living in NYC is this: You need to be nocturnal to truly experience NY. If you're not, you'll miss out on a large portion of what New York has to offer. If you're a struggling standup comic, you have no choice but to get thrust right into the middle of nocturnal New York. Is that such a bad thing? Trust me. It's to your benefit.

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"How long've you been doing comedy?"

Yes, this is the inevitable question amongst standup comics.

...This is inevitable question...

I always ask because there is a bit of a hierarchy in comedy, as in any position, job, occupation. It's the basis behind history. You need to learn where your forefathers came from---those that took the plunge before you and established what you're working with today. Now granted, the guys that have only been around 1-2 years really haven't made that much of a 'splash,' so to speak. But they still know more about the environment that you will be working in. And at the same time, they are dwarfed and will be learning along with you.

But I've noticed there's a parabola of how people answer that question: "How long you've been doing comedy?"

Remember Conic math: The PARABOLIC Asymptote, is used for a Parabolic line approaching to a curve, so that they never meet; yet by producing both indefinitely, their distance from each other becomes less than any given line.

When a parabola is formed, it is basically a shape of a "giant U." The two arms of that "U" will travel indefinitely but never approach the axes ( x, y). Have I lost you?

Perhaps here's a better definition:
"For parabolas, the two arms eventually become parallel to each other..."

So my point is that they're essentially traveling within the same environment. One arm is seeing what the other arm is seeing: same conditions, same circumstances, same niche.

If you're still having difficulty, explore the Conic section of your college math book.

And then there's this other shape called a Hyperbola, which sort of acts in the same way. Parabola-Hyperbola demo

[I added this link because I just thought this page was cute: An Emotional Parabola]

Okay...okay, let me get back to the point, as it relates to comedy.

If a burgeoning comedian were to travel the entire length of one arm of a parabola or hyperbola, ascend and descend the curve, and make his/her way to the other arm. That other side, that other arm, with a minimal degree difference, is the same condition/environment as the original trip. It's the curve that makes all the difference.

That curve could eventually represent a "learning curve," if you will. But it's a learning curve of mild deceit. It's not a curve of out-and-out heinous lies, but mild deceit.

The beginners who answer that question want to appear that they've been doing comedy longer than they have. So they'll say they've been in it longer and it's to their benefit because they'll appear experienced. They'll get better spots and more time, etc.

...everyone wants to stay around that curve, to remain current....

Those that have been in it longer will say they've only been it for a shorter amount of time, so that when they kill they amaze the GM or the owner of the club.

Where does that difference lie? Somewhere around 5 years. Inexperienced standups with only 2-3 years will push closer to 5 years. And experienced with 8-9 years will say 6-7, maybe even 5.

You see, the inexperienced comedians are on one side, ready to travel the curve. While the experienced comedians have traveled the curve. Both are in the same environment. (I preface this by saying that once you're in the comedy circuit, you keep seeing/running into/meeting these "Big Dogs." But you're on the same stage, using the same mic, in front of the same audience.) I know, because I've been in this three months, and I have rubbed shoulders with Big Dogs.

To the casual on-looker, they can't tell the difference between a powerhouse comedian and a beginner. There aren't any visible muscles or degrees given out--no badges of honor. Granted, if you're Dave Chappelle that's different. But there are a ton of other notables that are just as good, but don't show any visible signs of battle scars or of traveling that curve. It seems as though everyone wants to stay around that curve, to remain current.

So I guess this is a really long and drawn out way of saying how comedians mask how long they've been in the scene, despite both levels of experience occupying the same space. There's only a slight degree of difference and eventually everyone will become parallel to each other. And most definitely everyone will travel that curve.

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All inhibitions out the window...

A chemical change requires a chemical reaction, a process whereby the chemical properties of a substance are altered by a rearrangement of the atoms in the substance. Of course we cannot see atoms with the naked eye, but fortunately, there are a number of clues that tell us when a chemical reaction has occurred.

You're probably wondering, why have I quoted an 11th grade science text? Because after last week, I've noticed the chemistry of my being is changing--a chemical reaction is taking place in my body. For those of you who remember 11th grade chemistry, a chemical reaction has two categories: (1) Reversible (2) Irreversible. I'm referring to the latter.

How has a chemical reaction manifested itself in my being? Well, I'd like to describe the it like the emergence of the Incredible Hulk from a mild-mannered scientist.

What was the catalyst? The stage. The mic. The audience. Repeat cycle.

All of a sudden. I'm nowhere near as inhibited as I used to be. My friends would say otherwise. They would say I wasn't really ever inhibited before. But now that my uninhibited self has grown into a virtual daredevil, I'm noticing a drastic difference in my demeanor. (It's really noticeable.)

It's almost as if I've evaded death. It's definitely a high. It's as if I'm untouchable. (Although, I'm not the type to let it go to my head.)

Maybe it was always there, and standup comedy was a catalyst.

How did I come to this realization? Let's just say, that when I got out of the shower, I used close the vertical blinds. And now all of sudden, I forget. Not that I am an exhibitionist, but I'm so focused on other things, I really don't care.

"here the fundamental properties of the materials involved have changed."

"chemical changes are often accompanied by changes in temperature, the crucial difference being that these changes are the result of alterations in the chemical properties of the substances involved."

"The bubbling of a substance is yet another clue that a chemical reaction has occurred."

All of these quotes describe my current state. Bubbling over, simmering, letting off of exhaust, delta (a change in temperature), etc...

It's nice, nice feeling. You should join me.

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Categorizing comedians...

...Grow a backbone...

I'm not a fan of categorizing comedians. Like she's a "black female" comedian. Or he's a "gay" comedian.
It's smacks of Brown v. Board of Education. Separate is inherently unequal.

So the minute someone approaches me and says, "Hey, you should do our Women's Comedy show," already I'm thinking, "You're comedy show probably sucks."

You're basically saying, "I don't stack up with those guys, so I need to create my own playroom where no one will hurt me." And it's the whole 5th grade "Boys have cooties" theory. Am I right? Do I have any takers?

So you're no longer playing with the big boys. You can't hold your own. If you feel you need your own separate category, you're probably not that great a comedian. The way I see it, you're a comedian who happens to be gay. Or I'm a comedian who happens to be female. That's it. No special category. No special show. The uniting factor is that you're a comedian, first--adjective later.

How many times do you hear, "Man, I want to see/hear some good Latino comedy tonight? Any good Latino comics on tonight?" NO! But you do hear, "Man, I'm up for some good comedy! Any good comedians on tonight?" No qualifiers. No modifiers. Just comedy.

This is the same mentality that the parents of kids on little league teams have---where EVERYONE goes home with an award. No! NO! Little Billy isn't good at baseball. And he needs to know that, he doesn't have to be good at everything in order to exist in this world. Grow a backbone and move on!

I like to think of myself as the Tori Amos of comedy. For those who aren't familiar with Tori Amos and her bout with Lilith Fair--she refused to join the tour because she thought it was limiting.

"I'm not into the all-male, all-female thing," says Amos with growing agitation. "Where's Dionysus? Where's Hades? You can't cut out the testosterone. And we need some pansy-ass people, too, like little camp Hermes. Even though I'm sure some of those women have more testosterone then Hermes," she adds with a slightly unsisterly roll of the eyes. Quote from June 1998 Rolling Stone Article: Her Secret Garden.

"I don't think women and music are going to take the next step if it's got to be a constant comparison," she said. "It's hard to be individuals when you're grouped together all the time, and it bugs me that there's so much comparison going on."
Quote from a 1998 Iowa State Daily article: Cornflake Girl Tori Amos Overcomes The Odds.

I COMPLETELY and whole-heartily agree. More power to her.

And to all comedians... Do your thing, and don't limit your surroundings. Conquer all mediums and platforms. Take them all on, so that no one can say she's the best female comedian, she's the best black comedian. She's the best comedian-->period.


* I only use the spelling comedienne because I think it looks cute on paper. In all honesty, I think it's sort of feminist and stupid. (I personally think any "ism" or "ist" is stupid.) You're placing yourself into a category and in essence into an 'extreme' when you say, I'm an "ist." To me, it's everything in moderation. Except for recreational drugs--- I think ultimately drugs desensitize you from the world.

** Really life should be like Star Trek: The Next Generation, where we didn't really acknowledge sexual orientation, or gender, or whatever other modifier. They were all on a mission, and it didn't matter what they looked like (I mean c'mon look at Wharf-- (And I have to bone to pick with them because he was a black actor-- that's for another rant) They were only divided by what they did--what their position was on the ship, not what they looked like. I know... I know... weak analogy, but it clarifies my point.

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Am I angry enough?

Larry David is such a curmudgeon! You know in real life he's an evil-spirited unfulfilled and angry human being.
But I love him. I think he's the cat's meow--well, sorta.

I always say, if you're going to be an asshole---BE an ASSHOLE! Don't hold back. I appreciate honesty and integrity.

You're thinking,

Lucy, there's no honesty nor integrity in being an asshole.

All comedy starts with anger. -Seinfeld

You're mistaken! You cannot be any more honest, than in being a total and complete asshole. There's no fluff or crap to sift through. You know Larry David's not going to bullshit you, he's not going to blow smoke up your ass, he's not going to fill your head with compliments and make you think you're better than you are.

This is what I love about him. You get to the core. I don't like social niceties. I don't like false compliments (which in effect are most compliments.) We all know that compliments are just another means of a playing up to someone to get something you want out of them. That's why I sparingly give out compliments. I'm still, in essence, a nice person. But if you hangout with me long enough, you'll notice that I'm stingy with my compliments. I don't like having to 'play the game.' I don't like pleasantries or platitudes. What's the point?

Here's a great short interview with Larry David on, Sit Down with David Steinberg.

...pleading ignorance isn't an excuse...

My friend pointed out to me the other day, that I'm "too deep."

Friend: When I get on the phone with you, it's never 'how's the weather?' you always start deep, like 'the meaning of the universe is'...

She mentions that the average person doesn't have the capacity for 'depth' all the time. In fact she said, it's too demanding to be "deep" all of the time.

I intensely disagree on two counts:

1) I'm not deep all of the time. I just don't like "small talk." My conversations on the phone usually start out with "Where should I meet you?" or "What time does the party start?" or "When can I get my book back?" Those aren't deep, just to the point.

I don't have minutes to burn (whether those minutes relate to cellular or life... both are precious!)

2) I believe people DO have the capacity for being deep more often in their lives, but are too afraid to get to heart/meat of the matter. Or they never learned that there was 'meat' to attain. But as they say, pleading ignorance isn't an excuse

...I want to make a lasting impression...

I'm pledging to do comedy that gets to the 'meat of the matter.' The sh-t that really gets to me, the sh-t we all ignore. And from my perspective--as a black person---as a female---as a black female--- as an educated black female-- you catch my drift. And I don't want this to be loaded comedy or dark comedy. I want it to open up some eyes, brains, and horizons--and make people think! I want people leaving the venue thinking 'damn, she blew me away.' I want my comedy to be dinner conversation. I want it to be broadcast over radio morning show airwaves. I want it to be the reason for someone to start a cover band or for it to be a theme at the next Gay Pride parade. Yes, I want drag queens dressing in tribute to the subject matter I bring up. I want to make a lasting impression. Catch my drift?

~Lucy

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Evolution of the comedy set...

...When is the next great standup going to come along?...

On Home Box Office (which I am allowed another week of, before it gets shut off), a Seinfeld Special, an award show specifically made for Seinfeld was aired. I love anything Seinfeld appears on. If Seinfeld shows, I'm there. (If they would only invite me.) I happened to steal front row seats in my shack apartment to watch Jerry Seinfeld: The Comedian Award, hosted by Anderson Cooper. The guests were Robert Klein, Chris Rock, Garry Shandling.

Here's a clip that is straight out of bootlegger's assemblage.

My impression of comedy after watching this award show has again changed. Not in a good way or in a bad way---just an emergence, a bit of a revelation--perhaps a different glimpse of what comedy really is. Like any other form of entertainment, comedy is evolving. It's constantly changing--constantly morphing into different forms.

After watching this 1/2 - 1hr show, I was inspired. I love to hear the "inside scoop." What are comedians really thinking? What do they think of [fill in the blank]?"

According to Jon Stewart, there's nothing more un-funny than hearing a comedian break down (explain) a joke. But to me, it's fascinating!

Speaking of Jon Stewart, I also saw not one, but two interviews with him. One was more comedic based than the other, so I'll make mention of that comedic one here. (Perhaps I'll mention the other in a later post.)

Jon Stewart, when he's not in character, is soooo charming. Within a moments notice, my pants would slip right off if he even accidentally glanced in my direction. His charm is evidenced in this clip, Sit Down with David Steinberg, a TV Land cable show. [You'll have to excuse the web ads--hey a business has to thrive, right?]

There's another great interview with Seinfeld on Sit Down with David Steinberg. Seinfeld asks the question, "When is the next great standup going to come along?... Where are the guys trying to push us out?"

But at the same time, I remember having conversations with comedians during my comedy runs, and they would bring up the same topic but argue it on a different slant--mentioning that comedy is saturated. There are too many comedians out there. This says to me that maybe you aren't that good, or that your comedy is basic and not though-provoking. Perhaps, you're not pushing the envelope. So in essence, I agree with Seinfeld-- who's comin' up?

It's my mission to be the one to fill their (the great's) shoes.

~Lucy

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