Comedy BlogComedy Bloghttp://www.superegocomedy.com/comedy_blog/2011-08-02T13:29:14ZSquarespaceWe're back, blogging guns a-blaze!http://www.superegocomedy.com/comedy_blog/2011/8/2/were-back-blogging-guns-a-blaze.htmlMichelle Dobrawsky2011-08-02T13:14:29Z2011-08-02T13:14:29ZHey kids!

There are about five or six comedy-nerd posts rattling around in my head, meant to be immortalized for all six of you readers, but this came to my Tumblr this morning and I was indignant!  And indignant to me means "forget about impulse control or editing!  Just rant, baby!"

So, I caught this photo over my morning coffee:

 

SERIOUSLY?

You smug bastards, have you ever been to a comedy show?

Dale and I have used all of these as punchlines - dare I say, to pretty good effect.

When I make a 'fat' joke - by the way, I am fat - I make the most joyous, self-affirming, put-it-out-there fat jokes around.  When I use 'illness' as a punchline - by the way, I have Stage III rectal cancer - it's funny.  And awkward.  And funny.  And yes, empowering and brilliant and vulnerable, and funny.  And it shows people that illness is real, a tough part of life that sometimes deserves to be treated with actual humor.

I am proud - and I know many other comics are - to use these words as punchlines.  Did it make you laugh? Did it make you uncomfortable? Did it make you - heavens forbid - actually THINK about these cheaply printed words?

And another thing - not only are they in fact punchlines, yes indeedy, but the idea of comedy is worthless without punchlines.  I think what really makes my blood boil is the fact that 'punchlines' - the staple, the lifeblood of my art - are being reduced to a cheap negative by these font-fucking Etsy rejects.  And that is utterly, utterly wrong.

Good comics work hard on their 'punchlines.'  They craft, write, edit, perform and perform some more.  Perhaps they're talking about their lives.  Perhaps their lives involve, oh, some of the above.  Do you expect to go to a comedy show and hear jokes about nothing but happy bunnies?  (Clearly, their lives involved something besides bunnies.  Do you folks want jokes about bunnies? Or will that offend the animal-rights snotheads among you?)

Bunnies?

Okay, I'm off for some breakfast.

I defy you, comedy community, not to be heartily insulted by this.

]]>Make Every Spot, Your Spothttp://www.superegocomedy.com/comedy_blog/2010/9/22/make-every-spot-your-spot.htmlDale Sorenson2010-09-22T20:05:40Z2010-09-22T20:05:40ZWriter's Block of Epic Proportions - Break Through It!http://www.superegocomedy.com/comedy_blog/2010/7/5/writers-block-of-epic-proportions-break-through-it.htmlMichelle Dobrawsky2010-07-05T16:59:10Z2010-07-05T16:59:10ZHey kids!  What do you do when you have writers block?

As much as I love my old material, and as much as I love hosting and crowd work, it's not conducive to cranking out and polishing some tight new stuff.  So the time comes where one must write one's little fingers off and hone some jokes to razor-sharp points. 

So - how to begin?  After having plenty of bouts of this, I've come up with some things that work - whether for me or for my creative friends - hope this can help you on your comedic quests.

Lather, Rinse, Repeat.  What about dusting off old jokes? I had some good ideas when I started out, but wasn't the best editor in the world.  Some of that stuff is funny and deserves a second glance.

Record it!  I know I've been riffing some neat stuff at the mics.  Sometimes - magic!  I often take notes afterwards (that say, in deepest secret code that no one can read, WRITE THAT), so I can need to commit to things that seem to be working.  Writing notes is my style - lots and lots of people prefer to videotape or even record audio. 

Stimulus, Response.  Go watch a lot of comedy.  DO NOT COPY PEOPLE.  Perhaps it's a comic whose style you admire, a Comedy Central special, or just a good downtown show.  Watching standup - at least for me - gets me analyzing and thinking my own process.  Perhaps it will inspire you and shake some jokes loose.

Group Think.  Write with a partner? Write with a group?  This is a great help to many folks.

Classy.  For me, the combination of forced interaction and deadlines helps - every so often, I'll sign up for a class or workshop to get me creatively moving.

Nike said it.  How about getting off your fat lazy butt and just writing? Oh yeah....that.

 

]]>Tips for Open Mic Comics, New and Oldhttp://www.superegocomedy.com/comedy_blog/2010/6/13/tips-for-open-mic-comics-new-and-old.htmlMichelle Dobrawsky2010-06-13T22:26:07Z2010-06-13T22:26:07ZHey kids! Michelle here.  As you know, we here at SuperEgo are loving, nurturing, supportive...and bossy.  Way bossy.  We older-and-wiser types just love to impart our collective comedy wisdom to you.

A while back, on an improv message board, I posted some tips for improving your open mic experience.  I wrote that in about ten minutes.  I'm going to post them here, with some additional quickly-written but thoughtful commentary.

Open Mic Rules to Live By

1. Don't shit on the room, the host or the other comics.  Yes, we know we don't all play in the cushiest venues.  But we operators of open mics like to create a positive atmosphere, and, moreover, we depend on the kindness of the various clubs and bars to keep us in business.  So man up and sip that $4 Coke!

2. It's OK to acknowledge you're a newbie. Even open-mic comics can be supportive and reminiscent of their first time.  And if subsequent comics are lovingly picking on you from on stage, you've likely made a good impression.


3. However, don't apologize for tripping on a joke or making a mistake. We know. It's OK.  Don't waste your 5 minutes in regret.  That's what life is for.

4. It's OK to bring notes as a backup.  Other mics have rules about this; we don't.  As far as we're concerned a mic is a place to work out things that are new and perhaps you haven't memorized them yet.

5. Don't be drunk.  Or visibly high.  Seriously.  Not cute.

6. It's OK to be nervous. You'll always be a little nervous.  Just get your cute little butt up there and do it.

7. Go and watch the room a few times before you put yourself up. Different mics have different vibes. Talk to comics and the host.  There's no pressure to get up there the first day.  Bring a friend if it will help your nerves and push you onto stage when it's your turn.

8. The light that the host is waving at you means 'wrap it up.' It doesn't mean 'leave' and it doesn't mean 'hello.' Don't blow off the light or loudly call it out. That's hack, we've seen it before, and we're not amused.

9. Have fun. It's supposed to be fun. Yeah, call me cheesy, and yeah, it is hard work, but it's still fucking fun.

10.  Don't be a dick.  Seriously.  My long-held personal belief.  Simple, right?

Now, go forth and amuse us.

]]>Your Showcase Spot – Making an Awesome Videohttp://www.superegocomedy.com/comedy_blog/2010/5/21/your-showcase-spot-making-an-awesome-video.htmlDale Sorenson2010-05-21T15:49:59Z2010-05-21T15:49:59Z