I did this audition for the Las Vegas Comedy festival last night at the Comedy Showcase here in Houston. Normally I try to stay away from competitions because comedy is so subjective and I always think that I am the winner (Ive actually won 2 out of the 3 I've entered). Last night I was the first comedian (death spot) but I ripped the crowd and felt pretty good about what I had done, 8 more comedians performed and did nicely as well, but I was pretty confident that I was head and shoulders above the rest. Today I get this phonecall and the lady says, "Hey Billy, you won the competition...but got disqualified because you went 23 seconds over your time." I was aghast! Not only did I put my pride and talent on the line to enter this dumbass competition, but feel like I got screwed because I KNOW I DIDN'T GO OVER. My question to you is, when people give you bad news would you rather know the reasons behind it, or would you rather take the news and move on? I think I would have felt better not knowing about the 23 second thing, although I'm asking them to review the film and time it. Thanks for this therapy session. Sometimes I hate this job.
Hey Billy! Good to see you here when I get a chance to browse in here. To answer your question, I like to know the reason so that if I have to contest it, I know what I'll be contesting. Would you consider telling them to shove their constest after they review the tape and find that you are indeed correct...after taking the prize money of course.
I guess I rather know. But, do they really tell you the truth? They might give you a reason/explanation but I don't know if they are telling you the truth.
That is a really interesting question. I have a friend (musician) who prefers that if people don't like his music they just tell him, "I don't really like it" and leave it at that. Personally, I like knowing the reasons because it helps me figure out if they are full of crap or if they have a legit reason for not liking it. I mean, if the reason is, "Well, you guys sound like jazz and I hate jazz music," then I know the guy is just full of crap. However, if he says, "Just not my cup of tea" or "You guys have good songs, but you just don't sound very tight" then that gives me something to go on. I can agree or disagree, but at least I get the opinion. Man, 23 seconds. That reminds me of the line from the Billy Joel song, the Entertainer: I am the entertainer, I've come to do my show You've heard my latest record spin on the radio It took me years to write it, they were the best years of my life If you're gonna have a hit you gotta make it fit So they cut it down to 3:05 God bless the entertainment industry.
That sucks man, but hey, look on the bright side, at least your family isn't scared of you because your comedic "shtick" is hypnotizing people like my uncle Leroy "Hypnobro" Williams. That is some scary sh*t right there. (I heard you guys are friends. Don't tell him I said that. ) That 23 seconds thing sounds like bs anyway. If you want, we can go f*ck some of those judges up when I get some free time. My semester's about to start, though, so it may be a while. To answer your question though, no, I wouldn't wat to know. That way I have less chance of getting, y'know, arrested for f*cking people up and stuff. I'm a sore loser, so don't give me specific things or people on which to focus my anger. That way, I just wind up tearing up my own sh*t.
man, 23 seconds! 23 seconds. damn, thats nothing, if you had them laughing, then dammit - go 5 minutes over for all i care. but 23 seconds...thats like...as long as it takes for me to type the following dots: ................................................................................................................................. there...now that was a waste of time, i personally would have much rather been laughing my ass off for those 23 seconds...and the judges think they have the right to take away 23 seconds of laughter from a person's life? who the hell are they? i mean, damn, the world needs more laughter. you should be given 1st place and a happy meal for that! hell, i'm starting to think that you could make a segment on this incident. then use it next year or something. would be kinda funny. anyways, my opionion - i do prefer to hear the reasons why because then it allows me to improve what i did wrong, however, it's a pain in the ass in a case like yours where you actually didn't mess up. but just pick yourself up and move on...you're better than that 23 second crap. well, actually, i don't know about that...but i would like to find out: AB: how can i get a hold of your CD? i'd like to buy one and here what the rage is all about. take it easy bro.
I've always preferred editors tell me why that a story sucks, rather than just saying "It sucks....redo it." I guess it is the military in me that demands that you never b**** about something without offering an alternative solution. Musically, I'm the same way. If people don't tell me "I don't like your band because y'all have keyboards and keyboards don't belong in a funk band," I know they know little or nothing. However, if they say our choice of covers are not as good as they could be or rather we tend to go off on too many solos on our originals, I'll listen.
I'd rather know - especially in a situation like that. I mean, if you're going to lose - "You were the best but you screwed up a technical detail" is preferable for me to "You weren't good enough".
I'm actually writing for a new recording that I will probably do in Houston in a small theater or something. Thanks guys, after reading all your posts I feel a little bit better about the situation. I hear they are going to make me an offer (wildcard), but right now I'm too pissed to accept it.
should i wait for that one? or go for the one that's already available? i mean, i'm sure they're both good...i just don't think i could afford them both...as i gotta save up for the next year of college which starts next month.
