What are you lookin at?

The first time I performed at Just For Laughs was in 98. I competed in a regional competition that consisted of three divisions: Western/Central/Eastern Canada. The winner of each night would move on and do spots on the remaining shows at Just For Laughs.

I performed on the second night and felt I had a strong set. This was happy Darren with a slight dark bent by this time. I had to follow an act that had a tough time which is not easy to do and then do well yourself. In the end I did not win my night but a great comic did and I was happy for him. I knew that if it came down to me or him then that was cool with me since I respected his comedy. Many people felt I was ripped off in terms of the audience. When the show was over many people came up to me and felt that it was bullshit that I did not even place in the top three that night. Hey just chalk it up to the bullshit of a competition.

The next day I was outside by the pool of our hotel trying to get in some good times before they kick me out and I have to find my own way back to Toronto since the fairy tale was over. I spoke with the winner of night one and we had a very interesting conversation. He said to me that he had heard that I was robbed and what did I think.

I told him it was a bit of a pissoff but I will get over it. He just couldn’t understand how it could happen and I tried to spell it out for him. I told him that he is the kind of comic that goes to the plate and knocks it out of the park and the crowd/tv people sits and goes wow look at him go. On the other hand I was the kind of comic that had to go to the plate and knock it out of the park three times before finally a waitress might say “Wow I think he got to second on that one”

That is life and there was nothing I could do about it…that is just the way it is. Then he said something that still stays with me to this day he simply asked

“Well if it takes you three times to get noticed then why not change”

I sat there and thought about that statement and just let it roll. I know he was just trying to offer advice and I understand that, but I had a moment of clarity. Pre 98 I cared what the audience thought and would do anything for their acceptance just like this comic still does to this day.

That is when I realized that there are two schools of comedy. Neither one is better then the other, just a different way of looking at things. The first: you go to where the audience wants you to go or the second: you take the audience to where you want to go.

This comic has often said that he never bombs and has a great show all the time. I wish I could say that. I know I am just paraphrasing Bob Dylan but he has a famous quote about getting booed. He pretty much said that if you don’t bomb sometimes you aren’t doing something right and I truly believe that. To me it is like going to Amsterdam and only looking at the canal and not looking at the red light district.

I am not going “change” to go to the audience…I am going to try and take them to where I want to go and live with the consequences. Maybe this is just my way of justifying me sucking or doing what I do but it is the only way I can do it. There is nothing more rewarding then doing a bit that might not work. That is the tight rope that I am addicted to, one that requires no net.