Last night, Ledcat and I tottered off to the Brillo Box to see our friend and gal-pal Gabrielle Bonesso's Christmas Comedy Special. On a school night. In a room filled with smoke. And, in spite of Ms. Gab's promises, not a single cookie in sight.
That's how much we love her.
Almost the entire lineup of local comics were twentysomething, underemployed, pudgy, poorly dressed young men with the age-typical obsession with bathroom behavior, getting high and saying “fuck” as many times as possible in one breath. It was the weirdest experience … as if I was trapped in a room filled with the love children of Jim Belushi (yes, Jim and not John) and Seth Rogan. It was a scene right out of “Knocked Up.”
My favorite moment was when this guy wearing one of those creepy Steeler man-dresses tried to explain why Christmas is a gay holiday and based his argument on Christmas lights being gay. Don't ask. I guess the homoerotic thrill of being wrapped in the man-sweaty embrace of Ben Roethlisberger's shirt cut off the supply of funny to his mouth. Or elsewhere. He gave up and didn't seem to appreciate my disapproving middle-age lesbian frown. Whatever. I have a job AND health insurance. He does look better than me in a dress, I have to say.
Actually, some of the comedians were funny. Gab shined even though she had to go home and go to bed early. The cello playing hottie was pretty amusing except for the fact that we could not quite discern the lyrics. I'd like to see her again only with a better sound system. Seth Rogan's younger brother was there and apparently he is quite the ad libber. I think there's another word for that, but it was pretty much like Mad-Libs with a lot of marijuana references and sad sack jokes about not getting laid. Ho hum.
The award for best-dressed and actually funniest comedian goes to … Johnny Mac who pushed the envelope so far it came out looking like one of those fold up little swans, John significantly butched up the show to a full out metrosexual love fest. Even if he is a pervert. Ick, ick, ick. The social worker in me is APPALLED.
I did laugh, but on the drive home it occured to me that the reason I have never heard of any of these guys is that they just aren't that original. The jokes were pretty interchangeable and it seemed like they were really performing for each other. Which is fine, but not very creative. How hard is to make the long-haired stoner with the three day in a row hoodie and a really cool MySpace page laugh? Seriously. Toss one of these shlubs into a room filled with lesbians and let's see what they can do.
Just lose the man-dress, dude.
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Sue,
I couldn't agree more. I am so sick of booking these guys (with the exception of John, Rocco and Meg). I have been debating about cancelling the show all together because these guys are seriously killing my soul. Plus, the kid who “ad-libs” steals most of what he says from other comics (including me). Tuesday was his LAST show.
The problem is that it's hard to find new talent in this Burgh. OR maybe the problem is that I insist on sharing the spotlight with others….Who knows?
Point being, YES I need new friends but God am I thankful for you and Ledcat!
Ciao,
Gab
Sue,
I couldn't agree more. I am so sick of booking these guys (with the exception of John, Rocco and Meg). I have been debating about cancelling the show all together because these guys are seriously killing my soul. Plus, the kid who “ad-libs” steals most of what he says from other comics (including me). Tuesday was his LAST show.
The problem is that it's hard to find new talent in this Burgh. OR maybe the problem is that I insist on sharing the spotlight with others….Who knows?
Point being, YES I need new friends but God am I thankful for you and Ledcat!
Ciao,
Gab
Maybe you could reconceptionalize the show to cultivate new talent or budding talent, especially among women. You could do a workshop on stand up comedy and invite women who think they are funny (such as moi) to learn how to do it – just to see what it feels like to stand on a stage and be funny, not necessarily to pursue a career. It could just be women only. It could just be for fun and to prove that someone can get up on a stage in front of other women and feel triumphant and strong and know that humor is this incredible tool we use throughout our lives. That you don't have to look a certain way or dress a certain way or smoke a certain kind of cigarette to be funny. AND that you don't have to make fun of your body size/shape to get a laugh — I HATE that.
Which one is Rocco? Was he the elf in the bowling shirt?
Ledcat and I are quite the catch, aren't we? Did you like the xmas card? Our girl Mona — she's a hoot!
Maybe you could reconceptionalize the show to cultivate new talent or budding talent, especially among women. You could do a workshop on stand up comedy and invite women who think they are funny (such as moi) to learn how to do it – just to see what it feels like to stand on a stage and be funny, not necessarily to pursue a career. It could just be women only. It could just be for fun and to prove that someone can get up on a stage in front of other women and feel triumphant and strong and know that humor is this incredible tool we use throughout our lives. That you don't have to look a certain way or dress a certain way or smoke a certain kind of cigarette to be funny. AND that you don't have to make fun of your body size/shape to get a laugh — I HATE that.
Which one is Rocco? Was he the elf in the bowling shirt?
Ledcat and I are quite the catch, aren't we? Did you like the xmas card? Our girl Mona — she's a hoot!
Too bad for Gab (and us all, really) most people don't take “new friend” applications after the age of 30.
Lucky for her, I am totally EOE. I'm-a-gonna-e-mail you, Gab.
P.S. Sue — hope you've been feeling better.
Too bad for Gab (and us all, really) most people don't take “new friend” applications after the age of 30.
Lucky for her, I am totally EOE. I'm-a-gonna-e-mail you, Gab.
P.S. Sue — hope you've been feeling better.
Let's have coffee over the holidays at Hoi Polloi on the Northside.
Let's have coffee over the holidays at Hoi Polloi on the Northside.
I just have to say that I have so much respect for anyone who can do comedy and do it even somewhat well.
I truly believe it may be the hardest thing in the world.
And what it is made worse by the folks who think it is easy.
My ex once said it best, “Just because you can make your friends – who I might add are blind-drunk at this point – laugh, doesn't mean you have any place on a stage.” I can't even repeat what the allegded comic he aimed this one at said to draw this ire.
Anyway, my hat's off to Gab and anyone else who treats being funny so seriously.
I just have to say that I have so much respect for anyone who can do comedy and do it even somewhat well.
I truly believe it may be the hardest thing in the world.
And what it is made worse by the folks who think it is easy.
My ex once said it best, “Just because you can make your friends – who I might add are blind-drunk at this point – laugh, doesn't mean you have any place on a stage.” I can't even repeat what the allegded comic he aimed this one at said to draw this ire.
Anyway, my hat's off to Gab and anyone else who treats being funny so seriously.
I totally agree – stand up is HARD. I tried my hand at it once in college (Phat Mandee booked me to open for her at the Lava Lounge) and I bombed and never tried again. I totally would have attended a women's comedy workshop. 🙂
I totally agree – stand up is HARD. I tried my hand at it once in college (Phat Mandee booked me to open for her at the Lava Lounge) and I bombed and never tried again. I totally would have attended a women's comedy workshop. 🙂