This is just my personal criticism of comedians in general: avoid profanity. It's not that I find profanity inappropriate, it's just that I've always felt using profanity in a way in which it pretty much becomes the joke/punchline is cheap and unnecessary. Yeah it can be used to emphasize a point, but unless you're going for artificial edginess, try the jokes without it (or work on the jokes themselves). Even Chris Rock overdoes it. I've got a friend who thinks he's the next Jim Carrey, but his whole routine is pretty much making lewd or profane remarks (typically dealing with female hygiene) that make the girls/women in the room elicit a nervous laughter -- it's not the type of genuine laughter to aim for. But I give you a ton of credit for getting up there. I've been trying to get a couple other friends to try it out because they are genuinely entertaining and amusing people. Keep at it and I'd love to read more about your experiences (maybe you (and even Billy D.) can follow up with your own tips and recommendations as you continue).
ha, thats my homeboy from high school. He performs all the time, because he actually works there. When was the last time you saw him? He's been performing for about 4-5 years now and has improved since he started. Can't really compare his humor to anybody, plus I maybe biased cause I knew him back my junior year of high school and have been supporting his career since. He won funniest comic of Houston back in '08 at the Laff Stop after being 2nd place in '07. making up new jokes every time you hit stage is flipping hard. They only way your shows are different is if you interact with the audience or just recycle from other comedians Mencia style. I've followed Billy D. and Chase D. for the past 5 years and enjoy them every time. Even when I saw both of them last Thursday, they tell me that I've heard most of their stuff but will be hearing some new stuff here and there. I support my guys, sure they've got me in free for their shows, but half the other times I've paid money to see them.
I've see his work all the time. I go to a lot of the comedy places in Houston and I'm not the only one that feels this way about his comedy. His stuff is weak and there's a reason why he's been doing the same jokes for nearly 8 years now. I can give you a run down of all his open liners. I used to be at the Laff Stop every Wednesday before it had shut down and the Improv couldn't even hang with the Laff Stop. If you're not a suck ass, they will not let you perform there. I'll give anyone credit that can perfom on stage because it's not easy. It's not made for everyone. If you're a local comedian in Houston, there's enough places during the week where you can refine your material. There's no reason for anyone to keep on repeating the same stuff over and over. A comedian has to be current on news and use the news at its advantage. Why do you think Chelsea Handler and comics of Chelsea Handler are so popular across the country? Let me give you an example.... The lady that was texting who had fallen in the water fountain. A comedian can do a two and half minute set on just her alone. Coming up with new material is important for any comedian. There's a reason why majority of the same guys in Houston haven't made it anywhere with their comedy. There's nothing wrong with supporting your guys. That's a cool thing but you can't expect others to feel that way homie...
I disagree entirely! Doug Williams was trying to do a roast and busted Jamie Foxx. Jamie decided that he couldn't be made fun of and started harrassing someone who only had his cards in front of him. So the + goes to Jamie for whining that he got called out? To me, Neg props to Jamie Foxx BIG time for this. You're the professional. Deal with the deprecation.
I've been out of the Urban Comedy scene since that roast came out in like what, 2002 or some ****??? Kevin Hart, and katt williams are the only ones I know that are in that bracket.. Can someone tell me what the hell happen to Chappelle??? Is he still doing the Comedy circuit???
Umm its called a roast! Anything goes. Seriously, I've seen worst. I guess you don't understand what a roast is. In that roast, others made fun of Jamie Foxx too, but he didn't go off on them because they were funny.
I agree it is easy to just sit on the sidelines and do an obnoxious fake laugh after a joke that is low class and doesn't show any humor or originality on Foxx's part
Why would you assume I didn't read your entire post? And just because it's your opinion doesn't mean it can't be funny and/or bad advice.
Why would I assume you didn't read the post? Probably because I provided reasons for my opinion. Your non-constructive reply was reactionary. If you want to have a valid discussion (and help the OP), what reasons would you have in favor of keeping in the profanity? Simply: why is it funny? I'm not bashing, just want to know how you came to the conclusion.
Yes, you gave reasons. Reasons which I found just as silly as the opening statement. I personally feel that my post was constructive, in so far as it basically translates to "it would be bad to exclude profanity from your act". Somehow I doubt you would have taken issue with it, had I typed those exact words. I also find it hard to believe that you or anyone else would need me to lay out an argument in favor of cussing in stand up comedy, considering most highly successful contemporary comedians cuss like sailors. Correlation does not imply causation, but it doesn't take a genius to realize that their raunchy rhetoric adds to their appeal. I'm actually curious to see a list of currently successful stand up comedians that do not cuss during their routine, or do so very sparingly. Honestly, I am.
Originally I was not going to include profanity in the act. This is mainly because I have family that I want to be able to hear this and I also have a professional life outside of comedy, and who knows who may find this. But at the end of the day, it is true that most successful comics do use profanity in their acts. Its kind of like using jalapenos in your cooking. They really don't taste good, but they add a kick to the overall experience of the meal. I think its about timing how and when I use the profanity. (In before the proponents of jalapeno posts.)
no expectations at all, not trying to convert u to say he's awesome or anything, just checking to see if you've seen him after his first few times (and for the record he did start in '06 ) and Yonizzel, give me a head up when you plan to do it next time, I'll love to check it out live
This business is more complicated than "write new material" or "don't cuss", as an open mic comedian you have the liberty to fail, therefore I think open mic represents the true essence of the art. It's raw, unfiltered and genuine. Stay true to that OP. When comedy is your sole occupation the buyer's (club management, agent, promoter, booker) only requirement of you is to be funny, that's what they pay you for, not to experiment. Pros look at jokes like hit songs. People will often come to see your show because of jokes you're known for, good and original pieces make their way into your primary set list therefore giving you a foundation to continuously prove your worth within this extremely competitive business. Your hit will always be your hit. Comedians don't necessarily succeed just because they're funny, some of the most impressive writers and performers I've met in my career could never establish enough of a niche to attract agents or managers, therefore rendering them helpless when trying to compete with far less potent acts who have somehow secured representation because of a look or a GREAT AUDITION (See Chelsea Handler). Without a rep it's extremely difficult to get in front of people who will further your career, I was fortunate enough to catch Russell Simmons' eye early in my career and I still have business relationships with people who initially supported me only because of him. Guys like Pryor, Seinfeld, Carlin, Chappelle, Mahr, Rock and one of my personal favorites Bill Burr are more of the exception than the rule. They are/were gifted writers and performers who could easily find the thing within the subject matter that speaks to the comedic sensibility of most people. Ralphie May fits in a tier just below...yes, that Ralphie May. On average, a full-time comedian will write a solid 10 minutes every year, and that's after trying out hours upon hours of failed concepts within his primary set. Dave, Miguel, Fatty, Swoly and Kam along with a host of others have diligently supported me over the years and I don't take that for granted, I try to provide them and my other friends both local and nationally a great show...essentially my best show, and that includes alot of my best material every time along with another 30-45 minutes of alternative material and crowd interaction. I was on stage for 91 minutes last Thursday night at the Houston Improv, and no matter what your personal philisophy on the vocation, no one left that room thinking that I was anything less than a professional stand-up comedian whether they were familiar with my work or not. Where I rank within anyone else's opinion of stand-up is entirely up to them.
