What are you lookin at?

Something has always bothered me about comics and especially younger comics. I get quite an amount of emails from younger comics asking for advice on how to get started or how to get better and I think that other then just doing it this little rant will help:

Why do comics not come out and watch other comics to become better.

For example, last week a great american comic came into town named Tom Simmons and did great sets all week. Most of his material fell into that category of "Fuck I wish I wrote that". Very few comics came out to watch him and that is sad. Even comics that performed before him just took off and did not stick around.

I understand that people have lives but some comics are not trying hard enough. Some comics are off to do other sets and that makes sense...but others are just rushing to get to other venues to hang out. Younger comics should be out at least once a week to just check out headliners that they have never seen before. There is a reason they are headlining...even if they are hacks you can learn why you never want to become them.

Do you think you are not allowed in comedy clubs on the other nights? Do you think you might lift their material or be influenced unintentionally? I am pretty sure that if you spoke to a manager and seemed genuine about wanting to get better they would let you get in on nights that are not super busy so you could watch. It only saves them time by not having to tell you things and your learning curve will be shorter.

I remember back in the day I used to watch everyone all the time. Now I only have time to see guys that I have never seen before or that comics tell me that certain comics have changed their acts enough to check out again. When I was single and younger I was out five six nights a week trying to get better.

In 2002 after I already been headlining for a few years I was flying into calgary and I got there late. I had to rush on my night off to get to the club and check out Glen Foster. Glen is one of canada's best comics and not to be missed. His website is

www.thatcanadianguy.com

Now I always have a hard time in calgary..edmonton is rock and roll for me but calgary is not. Glen does well in every market so I wanted to rush to see what he was doing to kill in a place that I don't.
Is it because he is a nicer guy on stage then me....yes...

that he has better suited material...yes.
Does he pander to the crowd ...no.

Did I learn anything....maybe don't expect to do well in calgary after all, but I am still glad that I checked out glen. At this point I am ten years in and most would think I would not have to do this. This is what you have to do if you want to survive in the long hall in comedy.

My other point is this: Do you know what managers of clubs, bookers and other older comics like...they like to see comics that take the craft seriously and want to get better. I remember back in the late 90's when I hung out (for free for five years) at the amatuer nights in toronto. The host of amatuer nights and the owner of the club would talk about which comics were funny and what comics were doing. I would always tell them which ones were working hard and trying to get better. That would always influence what they felt about the younger comics.

Let me say that again
That would always influence what they felt about the younger comics.

I am not telling you this so you can think I am a great guy I am telling you this so you know that this kind of thing does not go unnoticed. I was on amatuer night longer then most. When I see a comic working hard and not getting his/her due I tell them that I appreciate what they are doing and I make sure to tell anyone that can help them cause I know that a few comics did that for me. If they didn't I would still be on amatuer night.

On the way up sometimes working hard or having a good work ethic and not being a dick will score you just as many points as being original. You have to look at this as a commitment and because of that you have to put in the time to get into the pants of our woman called show.

anywhooo......I am going to go and write some more stuff that people will stare at

see ya fucktards