Studio City, CA -- 8.26.09
I hung out at the Improv last night. I had come to realize that I needed to do the hang more. I saw and chatted up Ralphie May and his wife Lana. Btw - if you get a chance check out Ralphie May's website. I think it's one of the best stand-up sites out there.
The show at the Improv was strong. Jerry Rocha was the mc. I saw a bunch of people I haven't seen in a long time on both sides of the business. I also saw a bunch of folks whom I had never seen live before. Like LaVell Crawford, who had the crowd eating out of his hand.
The best thing about my having taken a break from comedy for eight years, is that I really enjoy watching others again. But most importantly watching without judgement.
The crowd was one of the biggest "Industry" crowds I had seen in while. When I first started doing comedy I always feared the "Industry" crowd, but now I realize they want you to be the one they are looking for too.
Drove home with Nancy Reed as we dissected everybody's set, like the good ol' gangsta comedy whores that we are.
Studio City, CA -- 8.23.09
Last night I headed out to a new gig that Bruce Fine has going at the Airtel Hotel in Van Nuys called the Laugh Pack. I was pleasantly surprised and happy to see how good of a room it is. On the show along with Bruce was Bob Zany, Destiny (who also just came out of retirement) and Suli Mccullogh.
Bob and I had gone up against each other years ago during the semi-finals of Star Search. I joked to Bob, how I caught a lucky break when at the end of his set he had this bit with a ballon that always killed and when he brought the balloon out of his pocket it broke and ended his set awkwardly. God knows I wouldn't have beat him any other way.
I snapped off a roll of film of some of the comics, then went my merry little way over to the Improv where I had an 11:30 set.
I met fellow comics Nancy Reed, Shelby Chong and Amber Tozer along with the "Jack of all the Comedy Trade" Jeff Singer for a drink and a nosh before I went on. I was really happy with my set. I did however fuck up my new joke about Extenze. I knew I was going to trip up on saying, " Male Extenze helps a man precisely control his ejaculation." I had walked around all day yesterday repeating over and over, "precisely control his ejaculation...Precisely control his ejaculation..." For some reason my tongue just couldn't roll it's way around that sentence. But other then that, fun, fun, fun...
I want to extend a thanks to Tim Chizmar and Eddie Barojas for booking me on the Comedy Orgy show.
Studio City, CA -- 8.21.08
I went out last night to see Ritch Shydner at the Laugh Factory and see him work on his 2nd or 3rd set since his return to comedy. Ritch was a funny comic in his day that appeared on The Tonight Show numerous times, first with Johnny Carson then with Leno. Ritch had taken quite a few years off from doing stand-up to work on his writing. He wrote a book with Mark Schiff called "I Killed" True Stories of the Road from America's Top Comics. Here's the link if you want to check it out. www.standupstories.com
It was nice to talk to Ritch about what its like to come back around to doing comedy again. There's not a lot of people who can understand what that's like to go through. He had a pretty smooth time of it considering how long he had stepped away from it.
Jordan Brady was also there. Jordan started as a comic and is now a director. Ritch and Jordan are working on a documentary together. I had photographed some behind the scenes stuff for them on their project and managed to take a few photographs last night, as well.
The line up at the Laugh Factory was pretty crazy. It was the first time I had ever seen Brett Ernst, who was really fun to watch. Neil Brennan who as always was inspiring and the very funny Tony Rock.
I was super impressed by the line-up and had a great time. It's nice to enjoy comedy again. I was so over comedy when I had quit for eight years that I couldn't even watch other comics on tv, let alone live. I'm glad I'm back and able to appreciate other people's insights.
Although, I'm considered passed at the Laugh Factory to get spots I have yet to receive one spot there. Last night I realized that I need to hang out more and keep my face in front of people. I also understand that I need to up the anty on my comedy and pull my shi*t more together after watching those guys. Jaime Masada, the owner of the Laugh Factory really puts a strong line up together.
Some comics who have just read the last line I wrote might think I'm kissing some major ass by writing that. But screw it - that's how I see it.
I'm looking forward to my spot tomorrow night at the Improv. It's my first Saturday spot there and the line up is strong as well. Perhaps I'll see some of you there.
Studio City, CA -- 08.16.08
This week has been full of comedy as usual.
On Tuesday I went and saw my friend and fellow comic Joey Diaz do a run thru for his new one man show. He had asked a few buds to come watch and give thoughts. Also there was Jerry Rocha and Rich Williams. I was honored that he included me. He has been solid to me since my return to comedy. I totally respect that he is working so hard to put himself out there and grow.
On Thursday I went to Skinny's Lounge on Lankershim in NoHo to watch a new friend of mine Amber Tozer (courtesy of Jeff Singer) do comedy. The actual club itself was pretty cool and the comics were fun and pretty interesting to watch. First off, Amber is pretty funny and fearless. Second, most of the comics on the show were women like Liz Stewart, Katie Massa Kennedy and Shelagh Ratner. Third, it was really nice to see a show were all the women were as strong or stronger then the men. Afterwards, we danced our asses off.
As a side note, Amber and myself are from Colorado and literally grew up 20 miles from each other... Of course in different decades.
Speaking of Jeff Singer, On Saturday night we were invited to a dinner by Nancy Reed with Tommy Chong and his lovely wife Shelby. I had opened for Tommy years ago and had met the both of them several times. It was pretty cool to hear Tommy talk about not just comedy in the old days - but the music scene in Canada in the sixties, in which he played a part and also the new show stage show that he has coming up with Cheech. He also talked for a long time to Jeff about Hockey. One just doesn't put hockey and Tommy Chong together in the same sentence, so I thought I would do it here.
It was also nice talking to Shelby Chong who is also a comic. She started doing comedy 12 years ago at Tommy's request in order to have something to do while touring with Tommy. She is quite a vivacious and hot number still this day.
As a side note, I was fortunate to be in the crowd when Cheech and Chong first reunited a few years back at the HBO Aspen Comedy Festival. I had snuck a camera in and banged off a couple of frames. I was telling Tommy that when they both came out on stage the crowd gave them an instant standing ovation and how one could see that they were stunned.
I wanna thank Nancy for a night that will be well remembered.
Comedy Castle
Royal Oak, Michigan
07.31.09
I'm hanging out in Michigan on a free vacay while a friend of mine is working on a movie set. So I had called a couple of clubs to get a some guest sets going. I played last weekend at the Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase and had two rocking sets. The owner Roger is a great guy and reminded of old school club owners in the day, who just loved comedy. The type of guy who would've booked Hedberg before all the hype just because he thought the guy was an original. I've met quite a few Michigan comics who have been highly entertaining and generous in time and spirit.
Tonight I worked the Comedy Casle in Detroit. A nice shout out to Mark Ridley for putting me on. I think I played the Comedy Castle as a headliner about ten years ago. They are remodeling the club and it looks great. Mike Kosta was on the bill and was actually a nice dude. I only bring that up because his character on stage doesn't seem so sweet - but in person he is very charming. I had an adequate set and then had to split to drive back to Ann Arbor lickety split.
Tomorrow, I will be doing a set again at the Showcase in Ann Arbor.
I really need to work on some new material. I have written quite a bit since my return - but one always needs MORE! I was a little miffed at myself for not bringing my camera for my comedy photo project. Honestly, sometimes I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer.
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San Antonio, TX -- 06.26.09
So, it's been awhile since I've updated my blog. Not that there isn't a lot to talk about. I have been quite busy. Right now I'm writing from the Rivercenter Comedy Club in San Antonio. I had called up the club a couple of months ago to book myself as a headliner for the first time since my return to comedy. I was looking for a kind place to stretch my set out and try numerous new jokes.
I've been doing a lot of press here and was interviewed by Hector Saldana from the San Antonio Express News. Here's a link to the article. Hector had interviewed me quite a few years back and it was nice to chat him up again. Besides being a writer the Express news, Hector is also in a band called the Krayolas. In the video to the right he is the singer.
Studio City, CA -- 05.29.09
Last night I went with Lisa Merkin, a brand spanking new piece of comedy meat, to go see the Ron White taping of his pilot for Comedy Central. We finally made it there but it took awhile for the taping to start and by that time we had to leave to go to the Icehouse... I had a decent set, but would have liked to Have seen Ron's pilot taping - which I heard rocked!
Studio City, CA -- 05.28.09
Last night was a packed filled night of comedy and music. First I was one of the finalist in Dante's Funniest Person in Los Angeles competition. I didn't win but a kid named Jay Cramer did. He gave a solid performance. I gave a solid performance as well, but I was first one up on the bill. Jay had a documentary crew there to film his story about being handicapped. So , I'm glad he had this well deserved win with camera crew involved - always a bonus.
There where some funny guys on the show, like Tim Shaw - who had an awesome set but he went a tad long, so he was disqualified. Ron Jeremy was one of the judges and it was funny because after the contest I went over to say hi to a friend of mine, Sabrina Stephens and Ron was standing there. I introduced myself and he said, "Hey, we met years ago at the Comedy Store when I was running with Kinison." That was odd to me that he would even remember, because back in the day the Comedy Store was pretty wild. It surprised me that anybody would remember anyone from that time period given the "party" scene which was going on.
Sabrina is the sister to Malika Kinison, Sam's widow. Sabrina is pictured along with Malika to the right in a picture of Kinison. She was probably a teenager when the picture was taken. Sabrina is now married to one of my oldest friends, Allen Stephens. I used to date Allen way back when and once he asked me to go with him and the "Outlaws of Comedy" on a road trip to Vancouver to do a show. I said, "Sorry dude, the last thing I need to do, is drive with you guys as you are partying over the Rocky Mountains and then an international border. My instinct was correct on that call as they were all detained... Um, for various reasons....
After the results of the competition was announced, I hi-tailed it out of there to make a CD release party for Margo Reymundo. Margot not only is a wonderful singer but is also the girlfriend of Ron White. The party was in full swing as I arrived. Margo was on stage looking fabulous and singing her ass off. The party was quite the success and Ron was very proud of her.
My comedy bud, Nancy Reed is one of Ron's writers. Tonight Ron is shooting a pilot for Comedy Central. Whitney Cummings is also on the show. Robert Hawkins is one of the writers as well. Eddie Feldman is the producer. He has worked on David Spade's show and Dennis Miller's show. I'm very curious and excited to see what they all come up with.
Studio City, CA -- 05.25.09
So last night I did a set at The Ice House for the first time in a decade. It was fun. One forgets what it's like to perform in front of a consistantly sweet crowd. The IceHouse for sure has some of the best crowds in the country. Frazier Smith hosted. There certainly is an art to being the host and Frazier has mastered it. I was the opener tonight and had a fun set because he was such a pro at warming the crowd up. The middle act was Tracey MacDonald. I don't remember ever seeing her before, but certainly had heard of her. She won StarSearch a few years after me. She is strong and gets the job done. She's also a nice girl.
The fun thing about doing comedy after taking a long break from it, (8years) is enjoying all aspects of it, because I'm just so happy to have the release of it again.
I also need to mention that I went with Nancy Reed. She's a Texas comic making her way in Los Angeles for the first time. She is currently a writer for Ron White.
The headliner was Stephanie Hodge. I hadn't seen Stephanie in years. She also took a 8 year hiatus and has returned little over a year ago. It was interesting seeing her as I was once her middle act on the road in Texas. She was a very dynamic performer then and I can see how it's rolling back in her direction. The crowd was certainly loving her. I can also see that she is transforming her character on stage into an ageless sage. I think that is a difficult thing to maneuver and she is on her way. I hope that I will slowly be able to do the same at one point.
Studio City, CA -- 05.21.09
Here 's a pic I found today as I was going through a sh*t pile of comedy photos. I think this was taken in Montreal quite a few years ago. Dave Attell is a stand-up guy as well as being a great stand-up. Years ago when my brother died, he was the only comic that sent me a condolance card. I will never forget that.
Joey Diaz came over and we bounced some shit off each other. He has been completely awesome to me since my return to comedy. He's booked me, sheparded me around to others. All this cuz he says I was nice to him at the Comedy Works in Denver, years ago. It's nice to know I wasn't the "C" word to everybody. (Cold...)
Cap City Comedy Club
Austin, Texas -- 05.15.09
I'm working this week with Tony Rock. I had e-mailed Jimmy Miller (the booker) about booking me at Cap City. This would be my first on the road gig since my return to comedy. He asked me if I wanted to headline, but I said, "No, I'm looking to record my sets in order to put new stuff up on the internet." So, we worked out a deal for me to middle.
I am working this week with Tony Rock. (Chris Rock's little brother.) I have to say after seeing Tony do two shows already, he is really funny. I had met Tony quite a few years back when I lived in New York City, and I admired him for doing comedy then. He has turned into a solid and funny mother f*cker. He's pretty cool to boot.
I'm also hanging out with my brother from another mother, Tom Hester. Tom has been living in Austin for about ever. He is a fummy dude in his own right. He helped me make my first short film "In the Weeds."
After the first night's show we hung out and he showed me some some stuff on the internet that some of our mutual friends, Joey Walden and Johny Hardwick worked on together. To the right is one of their creative endeavors. Joey is a kick-ass painter and Johny is a former stand-up, writer and the voice of Dale on King of the Hill.
I've been working on putting a longer set together with new material and it's going good. I'm excited for the two shows tonight and tomorrow night.
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