Our President is a Comedian

He's not just a comedian, he's actually a very funny one.  Seriously, how lucky are we?  I think we can finally travel abroad and claim our home country again, and not lie and say we're from Canada.  

The Viral Vault - Peer Pressure

The name of this particular group is Peer Pressure... interesting.

I don't know why they thought this would be a good idea to help them become "famous" or "get with girls." One can only imagine the thought process these young men had.

Loving the shot at the beginning with the littlest one in the red jacket, so cute and innocent. But then of course, the video starts.

I always wondered how funny it would've been for a parent to bust in the room. I also wonder why anyone under the age of 16 is even allowed to post on YouTube. This video will haunt them forever.

Chatting with Alycia Cooper

I had the opportunity to talk with the hilarious Alycia Cooper after she performed at the Baltimore Comedy Factory. Not only was she very nice, she also had a lot of great information

I loved your routine, you were great! Where are you from?

I’m from Temple Hills, Maryland.

When did you decide to get into comedy?

You know, it happened a few times actually throughout my life. The first time was in the mid-90s, right after Def Jam. They may it look so easy. So I tried it, didn’t have anything prepared, and bombed like I should have. Then I stopped doing it because I didn’t think I was funny. But it wasn’t that I wasn’t funny, it was that I didn’t prepare.

So when I did it again in like 2000, it was a challenge. A friend of mine had signed me up, it was like a talk show. I was booked on it to do stand-up. So I said, “OK, I’m going to do this show and be on TV. I’m going to have to learn how to write jokes.” I wrote an act, and had some moderate success. So, I decided to stick with it.

In 2002, I did Comic View, way to early, why before I should have. But the lesson was, if you can do a run in front of thousands of people, you can go back to the comedy club easily.

What are the challenges of being a female comic?

OOOOHHHHHH, LORD! The challenges are endless. You have a lot of male comics that say they can’t take you on the road with them because their wives won’t let them take a woman. Then you have a lot of women comics that tell you they want to be the only woman on the lineup. Then there’s the pervasive feeling that female comics aren’t funny. And that’s just some of the things that women have to go through that men will never experience.

What makes you continue on in spite of all these challenges?

You know, some people use crack, cocaine, meth, purple haze, alcohol. For me, comedy is my drug. Being on the road, and getting something back from the audience in return, getting a response from it, that’s almost like a drug. You just want to keep on coming back and doing it; it becomes in addiction.

Have you used the Internet or social media to help advance your career?

Oh yeah, I’m on sites like Myspace and Facebook and I have videos up. It has definitely helped me with my career. Even having an electronic press kit is great; all I need is an email address and I can send you everything about me. The Internet is a great way to promote yourself.

Chatting with Roy Wood Jr.

I got a chance to talk to Roy Wood Jr. when he came to the Baltimore Comedy Factory. Wood is known for his hilarious prank phone calls which circulate throughout the Internet.

What inspired you to get into comedy? How get started?

I was 19 when I started [comedy], I’m 30 now. I started my junior year in college. It was something that I always had an interest in, and whenever there was the right situation, I would try it.

What advice do you have for comics that bomb?

Sometimes, it’s not you. The audience changes every night, and you remain the same. You have to make the audience adjust to you. And sometimes, there are situations that are just not conducive to laughter. These include late shows, alcohol, clubs that usually don’t do comedy, but attempt a comedy night.

I think it’s amazing that comics have the courage to continue after bombing. What keeps you going?

I look at it this way, if it’s a city I’m not from, why do I care? I don’t live there. I’m leaving tomorrow. And when you come back a couple months from then, and succeed, if anything, that’s more rewarding.

The first time I ever heard of you, I received one of your prank calls through an email at work. How has the Internet helped with your career?

The Internet has been groundbreaking in comedy, it’s great for networking. It can basically prove whether you’re ready to move to the next level. Like, if you watch Cartoon Network, everything on Adult Swim basically started out as a viral video.

So, for me, the beauty of the web is that it’s voluntary. These people don’t have to watch your shit, they choose to. If you get a big enough audience that chooses to watch you, chooses to forward your emails, then that creates a good buzz, which eventually gets people to come see you in a comedy club. If you get a big enough buzz, you can get a big crowd. If you get a big enough crowd, you can get your own TV show.

What advice do you want to give to aspiring comedians?

My advice to anyone that wants to go into comedy is expect years of being unpaid; years of not getting what you’re worth, or feeling like what you’re worth. Just years of feeling like you should be doing something else. But, if it’s in your heart, stick with it.

Using social media - Part four: Digg

Digg makes the assertion that it is "committed to giving every piece of content on the web an equal shot at being the next big thing." There's definitely something to that idea. The content on Digg is being submitted by users so that it can be shared with the online community to gain exposure.

Like all of the other useful social media tools we've covered, Digg is a free service. The more an article, photo or video "gets digged" the more popular it will become, hopefully landing a spot on the homepage!

I think it is an interesting and democratic way to decide what content on the Internet is the "best." Comedians can use Digg to get more views on their media than YouTube alone. You know your doing something right if a lot of people Digg your material.

Dane Cook Show

So Dane Cook decided to grace Baltimore with his presence and perform some stand-up. Here's what fan Dominique Goldring had to say about the show:

1. What drew you to the show? Did you like him prior to the show, or did you take a chance?

I enjoy Dane Cook’s comedy and that’s what drew me to the show.

2. What was the ratio of new material compared to things already aired on TV?

All the material was material that wasn’t previously aired, which was awesome.

3. What was the overall response of the crowd?

The crowd was very pleased with the show. They loved him!

4. What was your favorite joke/part?

I really cannot pinpoint a certain part of the show. I thoroughly enjoyed all of it.

5. Would you like to see another Dane Cook show in the future?

Of course! It was great! He has amazing energy and a great comedic style.

Upcoming Comedy CD Releases

I love listening to a great comedy CD just as much as music. Whether I'm driving, workingor chilling at home after a long day, sometimes I actually perfer a laugh over music. Here's some upcoming comedy releases:

5/19/2009

Obama Mia by The Capitol Steps

Isolated Incident (plus DVD) by Dane Cook

6/16/09

Pimp Chronicles Part 1 by Katt Williams

American Hustle by Katt Williams

FiOS Comedy Channel

So, as of Saturday, we are officially rocking with Verizon's supposedly epic FiOS service in my household. I can't really tell the difference, but now Verizon controls the Internet, cable and phone. They basically own the communication in my house. Whatever.

One thing that I did notice was that the very last channel, 1951, was dedicated to 24-hour uncensored comedy radio. It's great, the station bills itself as "great comedy, without the two drink minimum." All the classics are on there (George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Bill Cosby) as well as plently of others. It'll be great to have on in the background while I'm cleaning up. Actually, I'm just kidding; I don't clean.

Bring Back Dave Chapelle

This is a plea to bring Dave Chapelle back to Comedy Central. I know what you're thinking... But didn't he leave on his own?

Yes, but now it's our responsiblitly to get him back. I really don't think he has a say in the matter at this point. You see, once he left, this is what Comedy Central attempted to fill the void with:

I won't dare post any of his video content on this site. It's just that bad. If you don't know what I'm talking about, seek it out at your own risk. If you do know... well, just rest assured that I've sat through entire episode of one of his shows, too. I empathize with you.

I started to lose just a little bit of faith in my beloved Comedy Central when they decided to give an untalented, joke stealer his very own show. However, they've since redeemed themselves with this:

I take this as a sign that he will never be given the opportunity to return again. *keeping fingers crossed*

But really, Dave needs to come back. I've been a fan since Half-Baked. I don't think any other weed movie had ever gotten it so perfect, so right.

Are memories of rushing home from late night college classes to unwind with a glass of wine and the lastest Chapelle Show episode all I have left? It's so bittersweet to watch the DVDs. Please, Dave, come back so that we never, ever have to endure a Mind of Mencia repeat again.

The Viral Vault - Baby Chicks

There is a ban on dyed poultry? What will happen next? Why are these chickens so cute? 

The Viral Vault - Rap Cat

Rap Cat local news expose


I wish all this outrage over this issue could be translated into something like, I don't know, perhaps adopting your very own cat from the SPCA or something like that? Although, I'm very against clothing on animals as well... unless it's this.

I Love Comediennes - Margaret Cho

I love Margaret Cho because she takes issues of race and sexuality and she's so real. I can't remember how many social situtiations I've been in where I've asked, "Am I going to be the only black person here? Really? Oh." You got to love diversity.

Check out it at 1:45 to see what I mean.

You always have to love someone who is so accepted by the gay community. As a "fag hag" myself, I can definitely identify with the club experience at 2:50.

Thank you, Margaret Cho, for confronting Asian stereotypes and representing the LGTB community always in hilarious fashion.

I Love Comediennes - Wanda Sykes

Are women just not funny? I certainly don't agree, but there seems to be this exact myth going around. Whatever, I know plenty of funny ladies that happen to be in my life. I have several female friends and family members that are pretty hilarious. To say that women are not as funny as men is a ridiculous generalization that I thought we'd moved beyond.

That's why I feel the need to shout out some of my favorite female comedians in this new segment "I Love Comedians." These are people that are ground breakers in the profession of comedy, and also happen to be chicks. Imagine that?

Wanda Sykes is an accomplished comedienne who has written for Chris Rock, had her own show called Wanda Does It and won an Emmy award.  Sykes actively fights for gay rights and has come out as a lesbian.  She was most recently asked to be the comedienne at the White House Correspondents Dinner.

Stoop Storytellers are Good Sports

The Stoop Storytellers are coming around to Centerstage again! The Storyteller shows consist of seven performers each get seven minutes to tell their individual story pertaining to the theme. The upcoming theme is "Good Sport: Stories about winning, losing, and everything in between."

I'm really looking forward to this event because these are true stories that the offical website describes as "no notes, no scripts, no actors--just true stories, artfully told."

My expectation is that these will be funny, heartfelt and warm, similar to a David Sedaris story. I think some of my classmates from literary journalism had some stories that might work in upcoming Stoop Storytelling events.

The website mentions that every show features a few audience members who can tell their own stories for three minutes. The group always welcomes new members and themes.

The "Good Sport" show will be at Centerstage on June 1 with a cocktail reception and live music before hand, if you're interested. Tickets go quick, so get them soon!

Kathy Griffin comes to Merriweather

Kathy Griffin is coming to Merriweather Post Pavillion in Columbia on June 25. This comedienne has made a name for herself by completely putting herself down and totally trashing celebrities.

Her reality show on Bravo, Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, is an example of how she likes to portray herself as a celebrity outsider, even though she's had quite a successful career. She's appeared on hits like Suddenly Susan, Seinfeld and The View.

Griffin has infamously been banned from a plethora of talk shows and events because of jokes making fun of celebrities. The topics of these comments range from drug use to sexual orientation. One thing is for sure, her show won't be boring.

Women's Magazines SUCK

OK, I just want to vent for a blog post.

Sharing a bathroom with my boyfriend and his brother has been an interesting learning experience, to say the least. Most of the things I've learned, let's just say I won't post them on this blog for fear of turning your stomach. However, it has opened me up to the world of men's magazines. This just affirmed a belief that I've had for a long time now, that women's magazines suck.

The thing that made me most angry was not that women's magazines are waste of printed material spewing the same tired information on "losing 10 pounds" or "pleasing him in bed." I accepted those facts a long time ago, and moved on. No, it was the fact that men's magazines are actually funny.

Yes, ladies it's true. They're not "LOL" funny, but they're funny in a "having a chat with your friend about that crazy thing that happened the other day" kind of way. See, one of the fundamental differences is that men's magazines address their audience as peers or equals. They don't talk down to them like every single word is a guide to help you improve your life, which if you flip open

Cosmo or Redbook, you would think needs a lot of improving... every month.

The workout routines? Like one page, max. Diet tricks? HA, nonexistent. Funny anecdotes about hooking up with hot girls? Yep. Awesome confidence boasters and tips? Of course. Feature articles dedicating several pages on how to please her in bed? LOL, we wish.

Seriously ladies, we deserve funny, real content that will make us feel good about ourselves instead of like shit, as do yourself a favor, ignore the latest Vogue, and pick up your brother's Maxim. Yeah, women are objectified, but we're also treated like the lesser sex in our own magazines. Worst of all, it's not even funny.

Music in Stand-up

What's up with this trend of comedians also trying to showoff the fact that they're musicians as well? I'm not completely sold on the idea. That doesn't mean I'm 100 percent against it, I'm just not sure if it works for everyone.

Jon Lajoie, Demetri Martin and Stephen Lynch all like to incorporate song/instrumentation into their stand-up routines. What do you think? It is funny or annoying, or does it depend on the comic and why?

Demetri Martin



Stephen Lynch



I do love Mitch Hedberg background bass line though.

Magooby's Joke House

So you don't live in Downtown Baltimore, and you don't feel like driving down there just to catch a comedy show? No problem! Magooby's Joke House is located in Northeast Baltimore County, and offers the same experience, minus the hassle of finding a parking spot.

In addition to featuring ample free parking, Magooby's is reasonably priced at $12 plus the usually two item minimum. Looking at the lineup, they seem to feature the same acts as the Baltimore Comedy Factory, usually the week before or after. Be sure to keep Magooby's in mind for something new on the weekend!

Favorite Comedian?

I want to know, who is your favorite comedian and why? What makes that person stand out against the rest? What about their style is so unique? How do they appeal to your sense of humor? Do you identify with that person or their experiences?

Basically, what are you, my audience, into?

My four favorite comedians of all time are featured above: Richard Pryor, Mitch Hedberg, Dave Chapelle and Katt Williams. I love the fact that they can all make fun of themselves, yet they have a universal appeal to make you sit back and say, "Shit, that definitely happened to me too!"

I also respect these comedians because they have a talent that many of us are lacking. Yes, they are hilarious, but they have the ability to use humor to shift focus on actual social issues. Whether it's drug use and laws, race, or the dynamics in various relationships, they bring the laughs while still getting the point across.

So, who does it for you, and why?

The Capitol Steps at Ram's Head

The Capitol Steps are a set of former Senate employees who basically have created an act out of making fun of their old job. I work for the federal government at Social Security, and trust me, I'm sure they have plenty of material.

The troupe is coming to Annapolis to perform at Ram's Head Onstage. I mentioned that I was going to see a show there for the first time last month. The venue is amazing, and I highly recommend it to everyone. You have a perfect view no matter where you are seated, the acoustics are great and the staff is friendly. Be sure to grab a bite to eat at the Tavern next door, the food is delicious.

I really want to go see the Steps because the content hits so close to home. It will be a sweet graduation present to myself, considering that it's the same day!

Check out one of the two shows, May 22 at 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

The Golden West Cafe

We all know how most comedy clubs or shows work. If your going to a club, more than likely, your paying a $17-20 admission fee, on top of a two drink minimum. This brings your total night to about $35, and that's the low end.

If the comedian your seeing is doing shows at venues like the Meyerhoff or the Lyric Opera House, for example, tickets are likely to run you about $35-50, no drink minimum of course.

That's why deals like the Golden West Cafe in Hampden are hard to pass up. The last Friday of every month, the Golden West features the Bar Bacon Fun Time Comedy Hour. At 11 p.m. the stand-up begins for $5, and as Metromix puts says "it's a pretty good way to avoid the assigned seating and drink minimums of local comedy clubs (though we know drink maximums are more your style)."

And yes, Golden West does have an impressive bar menu and well as an interesting and ecceltic dinner menu. You can't beat stand-up for $5, so go check it out.

The Viral Vault - Angry Optician

This is not the way you run a business... or your life. I hope Adam Plimmer has gotten the anger management help he so obviously needs, and I also hope that the victimized customers were eventually outfitted with the apporiate eyewear.

I really don't know what happened after this incident. I do know that this video has provided LOLs for me and my friends in the past, and I feel the need to share with you. Your welcome.

The Viral Vault - Popeye's

Hey good people, I've come up with a little added extra for the blog. It's going to feature my favorite viral videos, I hope you enjoy. As always, leave feedback.



Is this funny, racist or both? I say both; yes the reactions are hilarious, but come on, only black people came to not one, but two Popeyes? Shame on you news media, and shame on you angry customers for even feeling so passionate about a chicken deal!

This wasn't even free, so I wonder how KFC is going to deal?

I Love Comedy Central - The Daily Show

I have a confession: I don't watch the news anymore. I check CNN maybe once a week. I get most of my news from blogs that I've deemed relevant and informative. I also watch a lot of Current; they really seem to have a good understanding of the trends in new media and reporting for now. Sometimes when I'm sick of my ipod, I do enjoy flipping to NPR to find out what's up in the world.

But I am a little ashamed to say that I get a lot of my news from... The Daily Show. Just a little ashamed though because I really don't think it's all that bad. Even though it's a self-declared "fake news" program, the Daily Show has provided me with just as much, if not more, insight than the 24-hour news networks. That may sound incredibly sad/dumb/impossible, but let me explain.

During the Presidential Race last year, I did make it a habit to stay informed by the traditional media. I checked CNN multiple times a day, watched all the debates, cringed while forcing myself to give FOX a chance, and stayed up on FactCheck to see what was what. But the Daily Show proved to me that it was the only place that went back into past, the achives, to give the full story.

Go to 5:20 on this one to see what I mean.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	M - Th 11p / 10c
Indecision 2008 - Last Day
thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Economic Crisis Political Humor

Like, why is Sarah Palin's recording of Barack Obama even relevant? It's not; John McCain shares the same exact views. Yet, on all the traditional news sources I watched, that point was never addressed. Interesting. And besides, Jon Stewart is straight up hilarious, so that's reason enough to watch.

Summer Time at Bonnaroo

When I think of summer, I think of all the festivals and concerts that are coming up.  Since I'm graduating this semester, I'll finally have plenty of free time to travel, chill, relax, party, read, and basically do anything I want... when I'm not focusing on work of course.  When I was looking at summer festivals, I was surprised to see comedy is usually a staple at some of these events.

This year at Bonnaroo in Tennessee - which is the closest and has more than a few musical acts I'd like to see - there's going to be a lot of great comics performing (my picks bolded):

Jimmy Fallon 

Triumph the Insult Comic Dog 

The Daily Show's John Oliver, Rob Riggle & Rory Albanese 

Michael Ian Black & Michael Showalter 

Aziz Ansari 

Kristen Schaal 

Arj Barker 

Todd Barry 

Wayne Federman

Nick Thune 

Nick Kroll 

Kurt Braunohler 

Amy Schumer 

Kumail Nanjiani 

Pete Holmes

I would love to go to Bonnaroo, and while I don't like to think I'm high maintenance, I just can't imagine roughing it for four days on a farm in Tennessee... in a tent... in June.  

I mean, Baltimore is too humid to me, so I realistically can't handle it.  I would love to go because in addition to comedy there will be great music (Mars Volta, Animal Collective, Santigold, etc.), films, and all kinds of art and unique vendors.  If you've been or are thinking of going, please share your thoughts, I'm still on the fence!

Jon Lajoie in D.C. Tonight! - Part Two

The show at the DC Improv with Jon Lajoie was great! You could tell that the audience was familiar with Lajoie from his Internet work. He blended his online videos seamlessly in between a stand-up routine.

As I mentioned before, I wasn't sure what to expect form the standup but I was impressed. He would leave the stage and appear in some memorable costumes from his various Internet video characters, including MC Vagina and Everyday Normal Guy. He sung some live songs and played guitar, which seems to be a trend among comedians nowadays.

(Mike, Jon Lajoie and me)

His humor is definitely aimed towards the college-aged and 20s to early 30s set. I wouldn't recommend it to your parents. The table of older women next to me clearly did not enjoy the show and said it was "typical, college boy humor." They, however, had never seen the Internet content and decided to come to the show on a whim. For the most part though, the audience seemed very receptive at the sold-out performance, and laughs filled the Improv.

At the end of the show, Lajoie was gracious enough to meet with members of the audience and take photos. Afterwards, Lajoie asked my boyfriend for a cigarette and we all enjoyed a quick smoke break. Unfortunately, I a had one to many shots of tequila to remember anything noteworthy from the conversation, but he was very friendly and easy to talk to. Check out some of his videos and go to see him live if you have the chance!

Jon Lajoie in D.C. Tonight!

Comedian Jon Lajoie is performing at the Improv in D.C. tonight, and yours truly will be in attendence. I'm really looking forward to this because Lajoie has gained fame from his Internet videos!

By using his website, YouTube, Collegehumor, Ebaumsworld, FunnyorDie and other video blogging platfroms, the Canadian comedian gathered a strong following which warrented a standup tour not only in his home country, but across the states as well.

Lajoie is a prefect example of how new media can be used positively for comedians. There's so many platforms available, put yourself out there and use them! I can't wait to see how his comedic style translates to standup. How will stuff like this be funny live onstage?

Using social media - Part Three: Twitter

It's ok if you are staring at this post asking yourself, "What is Twitter?" Plenty of people are trying to figure out that exact same thing. Twitter is the newest trend in social networking sites. When you create a Twitter account, you'll see a white box that asks, "What are you doing?" It's your job to answer that question in 140 characters or less, updating all your "followers" - people who add you on Twitter - to your current status.  You will also be updated about the people you are "following."  This accurately describes it, seriously:

All jokes aside, this can be a useful platform for you.  Twitter doesn't have to be about useless updates to annoy your friends.  It can be used to:

• Post links - this can be updates to your website, blogs, or anything else you find interesting.  
• Promote shows - tweet your upcoming tour or club dates to keep people informed!
• Interact with fans - on twitter, there's @ replies, your fans can direct something @ you or vice versa.  
• Tell jokes - post anything hilarious your thinking about, fans will love it, it feels like they're getting something extra.  You'll also get immediate feedback per @ replies.

Important: Don't limit yourself to my points, Twitter is new to me, too! As a matter of fact, add me.  Then experiment with it and let me know some new uses.  Have fun, and push the boundaries because I don't think anyone has quite mastered it yet.

Baltimore Improv Group

I went to check out my first improv show at Creative Alliance’s Patterson Theater last night. The show featured the Baltimore Improv Group know as BIG. For this performance, BIG featured three comedy troupes, Gus, the Moving Walkways, and special guests from the Philadelphia Improv Theater. As improv typically goes, the troupes took suggestions from the audience at the beginning of their set and built upon it based on reactions from the crowd.

I came in the middle of the Gus set, so I was pretty confused; although the audience enjoyed it very much. Their performance ended with a creepy scene set in a restaurant called “The House of 100 Eggs” and there was some weird sexual innuendo going on. Whoa. Next was the group from Philadelphia, a husband and wife team. Overall, their performance fell pretty flat, but I have to give them credit for having the guts to perform in front of strangers with no script prepared.

After a short intermission, I was wondering why I came to this thing and spent $12 on a Friday night! I live for weekends. I hit the bar hoping that the alcohol would help. However, it’s hard to get drunk in 10 minutes at a cash bar. Luckily, the Moving Walkways was actually pretty hilarious. They even made fun of Diane Rehm; it was so wrong, yet it worked.

Here’s a video featuring some of the members of the Moving Walkways:



Afterwards, the MC talked about the improv classes that they offer every Tuesday. It could be a great opportunity for someone thinking about comedy to improve on their skills and delivery.

Second City at Ram's Head Onstage Tonight!

As mentioned before, Second City is a renown comedy group in Chicago. Unfortunately, we all can't make it out to see the act out in Chi-town. Luckily though, the troupe has made it's way to Annapolis so comedy fans can check them out locally! Tonight, Second City will be performing  at Ram's Head Tavern; the show starts at 8 pm.

I've never actually been to the Annapolis venue, but the layout looks pretty chill. I happen to be going Sunday to check out a concert, and I'll be sure to review the venue as a destination for other comedy events. If anyone was lucky enough to check out the show, let me know how it was!

Chatting with Mike Von - Part Two

In case you missed it, read part one.
As an inspiring 16-year-old comic, Von began performing at a club in Baltimore called the Five Seasons on open mic nights. How was the first night? “I completely bombed. It had me second guessing myself.” Von wasn’t anticipating that the 30 and over crowd at the club might have a different sense of humor than his high school classmates.

Instead of giving up, Von realized that something had to change. “It’s all about tweaking your jokes. Just because you have a different audience doesn’t mean the same jokes won’t work. You just have to be aware of the environment and make sure the delivery is right.” He also points out that your audience must always understand your joke. For example, just because you’re talking about a situation in school doesn’t mean an older crowd won’t find it funny. The difference is that they have to fully understand the background information. Talking to a classmate, you can throw out the professor’s name and then the joke. With strangers, you have to set up the scene. Who is this professor; what are some funny characteristics? A simple explanation can be the difference between a laugh and a head scratch.

Von decided to leave Baltimore and start advancing his career further. He currently lives in Chicago and says that it’s a great “training city” for young comedians. “You get to meet all the comedians from New York and L.A. because they all pass through here.” And when they come, there’s always a chance Von may be the act right before them. He already has a pretty impressive resume for his age; he’s opened for Tracie Morgan and David Allen Grier. Chicago is also home of the renowned Second City, which features a lot of famous comics, giving up and coming acts opportunities to network and learn. Von has met Tina Fey and Steve Carrell at Second City, just to name a few.

As far as social media, Von uses networking sites, mainly Facebook, to promote his talents. However, he is one comic that does not follow the trend of posting Youtube videos. “There’s a lot of comics that steal, and there’s no way to know most of the time.”

Von’s main goal is to host a late night talk show on HBO, something similar to the Arsenio Hall and Chris Rock shows. He admits that will take years of working in the industry and building a reputation, but he’s hopeful.

Von’s advice to aspiring comedians is to have patience. He says, “Rappers can have one hit single, but a majority of popular comedians have had to work at it for years.” Also he stresses, “What sets you apart from the rest of the bunch?” It’s important to develop a unique style, not copy off of someone else’s success.

Von will be featured in a documentary about up and coming talent in Chicago and the life of a standup comic. The working title is “The art of laughter.” He will also be performing at the Baltimore Comedy Factory, along with his father, April 10 and 11.

Current Happenings in Baltimore

Exactly what is going on in the next couple months in the comedy scene? I’ll try to be a source for local comedy events, but, as always, if you something to add, please comment or email me. So far:

March 30 : There will be Stoop Storytelling at Centerstage. This performance features seven people who are given seven minutes to tell their stories and entertain. The theme is “You want fries with that?: Stories about jobs, careers and working for ‘the Man.’”

Centerstage is located at 700 N. Calvert Street. The show starts at 8 pm.

April 3: Lily Tomlin, an Oscar nominee and Tony and Grammy award winner, will be performing stand-up at the Lyric Opera House.

The Lyric Opera House is located at 140 W. Mount Royal Ave. The show starts at 8pm.

April 10-11: Mike Von, a Chicago-based, Baltimore born comedy doing stand-up back home at the Baltimore Comedy Factory.

The Baltimore Comedy Fatcory is located at 36 Light Street. April 10 shows: 8 pm, 10 pm and 12 pm. April 11 shows: 7 pm, 9 pm and 11 pm.

April 12: Comedian Alabama, manager of the Baltimore Comedy Factory, will be performing stand-up Easter Sunday at the club.

The address of the club is listed above. The show starts at 7 pm.

April 18 : Dave Attell, known for his show Insomniac, will be performing at Rams Head Live in the Power Plant downtown. -

Rams Head Live is located at 20 Market Place. The show starts at 8 pm.

I Love Comedy Central - SouthPark

It’s been forever, but the wait is over! South Park’s 13th season finally begins this Wednesday. Oh? It was only November when the latest episode aired? Well, that feels like forever, especially when you consider that I’ve resorted to Rock of Love Bus and Bad Girls Club, just to name a few. Those are comedies, right? Moving on…

Reminiscing, it’s hard to believe that I watched my first episode of South Park as a 13-year-old eighth grader. I wanted to see what everyone in school was talking about; what was this crazy show? I wasn’t prepared for what I saw that night, and neither was my mom, who was curious about my sudden interest. After we finished the “Merry Christmas, Charlie Manson!” episode, we both agreed it was pretty funny. Was it appropriate for me? That was debatable; my mother even remarked that there was going to be “a lot of offended people.” And even though she said something to the effect of, you shouldn’t watch this show again, she knew it was nearly impossible to censor my media intake. Anything my parents popped in the VCR, whether it was The Lion King or Goodfellas, I watched. So, of course I watched South Park, and the episodes continued to get more outrageous, yet sophisticated.



By far, one of my favorite shows of all time, South Park has definitely been getting better with age. I know all things must come to an end, but I’d love to make an exception for these four boys from Colorado.

Check out the season premiere, Wednesday, March 11 at 10 pm.

Using Social Media - Part Two: Facebook

Facebook is a social networking site that allows comedians to connect with fans on a more personal level than Youtube. Comedians have a few different options on Facebook to communicate with fans. They can create all of the following:

• A personal page – This should not be limited to keeping in touch with close friends and family, although it’s great for that. It can also give fans the opportunity to communicate directly with you, and you back to them.
  
  
• A fan page – This is for your audience to be updated about things that are happening in your career. You can create a calendar of upcoming events so that your fans know when you will be on tour. This is also a place to talk about upcoming projects, post videos and other media, and promote yourself to potential fans.
  
  
• A group – here is where your fans come together to show their support for you. They can network and share information with each other. Also, it shows their friends that they enjoy your work, helping to further promote you.
  
  
• An event – Send a personalized invitation to your fans reminding them of an upcoming show or a role in a movie. If there’s a date that you want your fans to be aware of, an event will notify them, via their inbox. Even if they don’t check your fan page frequently, this is a definite way to make sure you get their attention about important things they probably don’t wont to miss.
  

Chatting with Comedian Alabama - Q & A Edition

Comedian Alabama not only does stand-up, he also manages the Baltimore Comedy Factory downtown. After a quick chat with him, here's what he had to say:

What is your real name? Are you originally from Alabama, and if so, what brought you to Baltimore?
Well my birth name is Deshawn Frazier, and I’m orginially from Talladega, Alabama, home of the world’s fastest NASCAR track in the world (my small city’s claim to fame). I moved to Baltimore in June 2001; my then wife was from B’more and I followed her up here.

When did you decide that you wanted to pursue comedy as a career?
I’ve been in this business for seven years and this is my world. I pursued stand-up prior to arriving here in Maryland. I went to open mics and began developing different routines. I also met veteran comedians who helped me out with advice and I took it all in. I developed my own comedy style.

What comedians inspire you? How did you develop your style?
I grew up watching Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy, Sinbad and many more. I studied comedian greats like Milton Berle and Redd Foxx, and I admired the way they’d get the crowd laughing and they never stopped laughing.

How has the Internet helped with your career or the club? Do you have any upcoming projects, events or shows you want me to mention?
The Internet is good for finding clubs and helping me to promote outside of the box. I have an Easter show, April 12th at 7 pm. I’ll be doing stand-up at the Baltimore Comedy Factory that day.

Chatting with Mike Von - Part One

As soon as Mike Von calls me back, I understand exactly why he's a comedian. Outgoing, comfortable, talkative, and of course, funny, are just a few of the characteristics that describe Von. I left a message on his machine Sunday night, and wasn't really expecting to hear from him until much later. I'll admit, I was a bit discouraged after what seemed like several blow-offs (things did eventually turn around). To my surprise, Von called me back within just a few hours and greeted me with a friendly and enthusiastic, "Hey Erica, what's up? It's Mike Von!" As he walked to his car after finishing up at school for the day, Von graciously granted me my first interview for the blog.

Von, 22, is a Chicago-based comedian who was born and raised in Baltimore. Although his myspace page states that he's been involved with comedy since the age of 16, Von says that his interest was initially spark at 14 years old from being "the funny guy" in school. Reciting hilarious anecdotes that entertained his peers was a talent that he discovered early on. Working at Wendy’s only helped; he had plenty of ridiculous stories to tell from his experiences there. If you ever worked in fast food, you know all too well. Some of Von's influences include Jamie foxx( who he wrote a paper on when he was a sophmore at Dunbar), Bill Behr, Craig Robinson, Eddie Murphy and Pablo Francisco. It also helped that his father was a comedian and comedy writer; if you're from Baltimore, you might now him from the "Kiss my bumper" commericals.



While most might think this was a career Von was encouraged to do, it wasn’t that way initially. “My parents weren’t really excited about me going into comedy. [My father] knew what a tough business it was.” Although he didn’t have their full support, Von was determined that his career was in comedy. So, what else was there to do but to start sneaking out at 16-years-old to perform at clubs?

Part two coming tomorrow...

Using social media - Part One: Youtube

Thursday in class, we talked about the importance of social media and networking. I know that I need to jump on board with this concept soon, for the sake of my blog and my grade. For this project to be successful, I have to start some relationships through the blog, and that is seriously my goal for this week.

Several comedians are already smart enough to employ these tactics, and it mostly proves to be an advantage. At this point, having accounts with Youtube, Facebook and everything in between has become so commonplace that is it is basically a requirement in the entertainment industry. While there are several social media platforms, this post will focus on how Youtube is helping the careers of comedians today:

Youtube

Comedians can post videos showcasing their talent to a wide audience, therefore gaining awesome exposure. Best of all, this “publicity” is free. Instead of having to rely on drawing a crowd to a standup show, a new comedian can post the routine online and get thousands, if not millions, of hits. So what if no one came to your last show? If you can get enough views and positive feedback on Youtube, you might end up selling out clubs in the future.

Of course, not all comedy is about standup. Comedians usually post a wide range of videos including:

• Skits – to show acting ability
  
• Outtakes/behind the scenes – to give fans something extra
  
• Responses – usually directed to fans, critics or other comedians, this encourages feedback and communication
  
• Other comedic content – to promote and network with other comedians
  

My plan is to create a series of posts helping aspiring comedians understand how they can use social media to advance their careers. If you have any suggestions, helpful information or just want to add to the conversation, remember to email me or comment below!

The Baltimore Comedy Factory

It's great to watch stand-up comedians on Comedy Central and other networks, but the live experience is definitely a great way to spend an evening with your friends. Baltimore has plenty of opportunities to see comedy, and a lot of venues offer specials for certain nights.

One of the most notable comedy clubs locally is the Baltimore Comedy Factory. Here's the details: you must be 18 years old or over, admission is $17, and there's a two drink minimum. Keep this quick tip in mind though, if you sign up for their email list, they will send you tickets either waiving the entry fee or for unlimited drinks (the latter is my preference). Also, Burke's, the restaurant underneath the club, has great food and the servers are incredible. If you let them know that you’re going to see a show, they make sure to get you in and out, no matter how crowded it is.

The Baltimore Comedy Factory is located at the corner of Light Street and Lombard Street downtown, and there are shows every Thursday – Saturday nights. So when you’re looking for laugh on the weekends, keep the Comedy Factory in mind!

The CollegeHumor Show

What started out as a way for two friends to communicate during college is now a successful multimillion-dollar company. This is an Internet success story that we're so used to hearing by now, but it never ceases to inspire. Two friends from Baltimore, Josh Abramson and Ricky Van Veen, created CollegeHumor as a way to stay in touch when they went to different schools out of state. Now the site boasts over four million unique visitors per month, and features submitted and original content that appeals to the college-aged demographic.

Staff members contribute articles in addition to writing, directing and acting in original video content. The success of these videos lead to a deal with MTV to produce the CollegeHumor Show, which is an extended version of the Hardly Working series. Throughout the episodes, unrelated Internet content is also featured mixed in with storylines. Below are two of the videos that were shown in the pilot episode:





How successful the CollegeHumor Show is has yet to be seen; the second episode is tonight. Although, after reviewing comments on the website, fans really enjoyed last week's premier. Maybe you should judge for yourself; the CollegeHumor Show airs Sunday nights on MTV at 9:30/8:30c.

Hey fans of comedy!

I’m Erica and I have a lot going on. First, a few quick things about myself: I’m a graduating senior from Towson University, majoring in journalism and working full-time. I have no idea what I want to do after graduation, but I’m looking forward to figuring that out. This blog is my contribution to my writing for the new media class.

Whenever I find that I have a free moment at home or work, I love watching viral videos. I think it’s awesome and amazing that the Internet is being used a cheap resource for comedians to gain more exposure than ever before. Not only is the exposure amazing, but the direct communication with the audience is also helpful; comments on videos provide insight into what jokes work well, or not at all.

This blog will feature examples of Internet comedians who have gained notoriety, video compilations of comedians I feel need exposure, funny things in general, interviews with comedians and tips on using the Internet as a tool to help with a career in comedy.