Jerry Rice is considered by most to be far and away the greatest reciever in the history of the NFL. He wasn’t the fastest guy, or the tallest guy, or the most athletic guy, but he made plays game after game, for longer than just about anyone. He played in the NFL for 20 years, which is about 10 times longer than the average player. One of the things he said that made him great was his training. His workouts where that of legends, and few people that spent a day training with him were able to walk out on their own, with very few exceptions... (Jerry Rice article)
Sometimes you write a stupid little bit, then you perform it and improvise along the way and some hidden demons that you weren't aware were connected to the bit come out, rearing their ugly heads. At least it makes an interesting video... Comedy ain't always pretty, but at least its honest.
I went to an audition last week, and I got a call back to perform on a show w/ some other comedians. I watched each of the other 11 comedians perform and kill. I thought, "Jesus... how are they gonna ever pick a winner(s)? Everyone is funny! Just how many fucking comedians are out there?" As I sat in the back, among the other comedians, I looked around the table and thought this is less a "talent" game and more an "endurance" game. Eventually, some of these comedians will give up, and that's when the ones who stuck it out will move ahead. Until then there are just TOO many of us comedians to all find great success.
Being an original is not just an option, I think its a necessity (at least for personal and artistic growth). I could easily do some piece of shit that would make me more liked, but is that the ultimate goal to all this? There are lots of comedians who get tons of laughs, but afterward I can't remember one joke they told, or if I do, it doesn't resonate in any sort of way. It's like my memory of that comedian is just a video on mute: I can only "see" him in my mind, but can't hear a word he said.
Here's something I came across (and haven't seen in a while). Keep on flowin'.
From "I'm Dying Up Here", on Comedian Elayne Boosler, finding her friends in comedy in Los Angeles during the 1970's: It was like the best version of a family that she would have designed for herself, comprised entirely of quirky, funny people on a shared mission and completely supportive of one another.
