I love this. I ask myself, why do you hope we don't. Love the cartoons, the pictures (I want a car covered in Christmas lights.)---and I think St. Nell's Writers Residency looks like just about the most perfect place on the planet. Thank you for sharing---hard to imagine having the nerve to do stand-up but having experienced the thrill of laughter and applause from an audience a couple of times (I wrote, directed and performed in Library Musicals), at least I understand the pull.
Thanks for these detailed insights, a great read. "I’ve produced shows where the only audience member was the bartender, and even he left halfway through." LMAO :)
Man, I loved this post. Your writing is great, so colorful. So many lines in your post that I can't choose a favorite quote of yours. This was raw and real—and great. Also, very interesting to read about this Hell Gig. Your post reminded me of that Pete Holmes' HBO special "Crashing". Really enjoyed reading the details; fascinating for us not in the industry. Thanks for sharing it!
Thanks, Victor! That show ruined me for comedy-- I like Judd and Pete, but it gave a lot of young comics unrealistic expectations about getting a toe in the door in New York comedy. I used to host open mics full of excited young things, thinking they were going to be opening for Artie within weeks and crashing on Sarah Silverman's couch.
Good one. I once had thoughts about going into stand-up, an art form I greatly admire. Memoirs like yours make me happy I didn't try it. I hear it's addictive. So you can draw (very quickly, too), do standup, and obviously write well. Kudos.
Ha! Yes, definitely addictive, if we're going by the dictionary definition of compulsive and persistent engagement in behaviours despite negative consequences.
whoa… well, I like this! Jason, I think you are brave and also a good guy, telling the young comic who organized the gig that it was okay… you didn’t mind the competition with The Game. but oh my, the sticky floor, the bright lights, the sweat rolling down your back, the heckling woman in the mini skirt with an espresso martini, your evocative sketches… did you get some writing done???!!
I love this. I ask myself, why do you hope we don't. Love the cartoons, the pictures (I want a car covered in Christmas lights.)---and I think St. Nell's Writers Residency looks like just about the most perfect place on the planet. Thank you for sharing---hard to imagine having the nerve to do stand-up but having experienced the thrill of laughter and applause from an audience a couple of times (I wrote, directed and performed in Library Musicals), at least I understand the pull.
Always enjoy your Substack reads!
Thanks for these detailed insights, a great read. "I’ve produced shows where the only audience member was the bartender, and even he left halfway through." LMAO :)
Lovely writing, but what an experience! I'm not sure any amount of money is enough to do that.
Love it! Thanks for letting us in on your private thoughts! You write so well!
Thank you Margreet! Always nervous to share :)
Man, I loved this post. Your writing is great, so colorful. So many lines in your post that I can't choose a favorite quote of yours. This was raw and real—and great. Also, very interesting to read about this Hell Gig. Your post reminded me of that Pete Holmes' HBO special "Crashing". Really enjoyed reading the details; fascinating for us not in the industry. Thanks for sharing it!
Thanks, Victor! That show ruined me for comedy-- I like Judd and Pete, but it gave a lot of young comics unrealistic expectations about getting a toe in the door in New York comedy. I used to host open mics full of excited young things, thinking they were going to be opening for Artie within weeks and crashing on Sarah Silverman's couch.
Good one. I once had thoughts about going into stand-up, an art form I greatly admire. Memoirs like yours make me happy I didn't try it. I hear it's addictive. So you can draw (very quickly, too), do standup, and obviously write well. Kudos.
Ha! Yes, definitely addictive, if we're going by the dictionary definition of compulsive and persistent engagement in behaviours despite negative consequences.
whoa… well, I like this! Jason, I think you are brave and also a good guy, telling the young comic who organized the gig that it was okay… you didn’t mind the competition with The Game. but oh my, the sticky floor, the bright lights, the sweat rolling down your back, the heckling woman in the mini skirt with an espresso martini, your evocative sketches… did you get some writing done???!!