Continuing again from the last two posts on audience and culture, I have been discussing performing my show about traveling in India in other countries and for other audiences than my target demographic. Those who have not traveled, or who have no interest in spirituality/spiritual seeking find the shadow to Read more…
So this is a continuation from yesterday's post on Carlin… (read that first.) Now, imagine George Carlin's Stuff routine in front of a different audience than us. An Indian George Carlin, perhaps. He wouldn't be as funny talking about consumerism in a country where most people don't own homes. His jokes Read more…
Do a little archival comedy research. It's a very interesting historical enterprise. Not only can we observe the public sentiment of the political atmosphere at the time, but we can chuckle at the outdated jargon and references. One of my favorite examples is George Carlin. He started out totally apolitical Read more…
So: is it more important for you to feel that your comedy will be relevant for a long time or rather that you are totally hip and cutting edge? Some topics in comedy can go from ripe to rotten. If your act used racist or sexist stereotypes, it was probably Read more…
Humor is evolving, because culture is evolving. There is a continual stream of new cultural references and lexicon, new current social and political events, new media formats and uses, and shifts in social mores that change what we find funny. Some comedians from the 1950s are still hilarious today, for Read more…
In my last series, I talked about how to be a comedian. So this is Level Two. It's not just about taking the leap into comedianhood, but taking the leap into being a skilled jokeslinger (which is also the title of an album by Jim Short, who is a very Read more…
National Public Radio interview with Clinical Psychologist ILDIKO TABORI and comedian KEVIN NEALON. via blog.aliciadattner.com
If you haven't already, look back at what we've already covered. Ok, here's where we get spiritual. So you've done all the writing and stuff, but it's time for me to let you in on a new secret. The ideas that come from you aren't yours. Especially the really good Read more…
Here's an excerpt from the standup comedy show I did with the lovely and talented Katie Rubin at the Sacramento Center for Spiritual Living recently. Enjoy!
Don't forget to check out the earlier posts on becoming a comedian. They're good. We're getting into some juicy stuff here. I'm holding your hand. You're not alone. I'm not leaving you. You can feel safe and secure in my comedy kangaroo pouch here, and you're protected and I'll be Read more…