Monday, November 27, 2006

On Political Comedy

Last year, I was invited (check that -- I imposed myself) to write my thoughts about political comedy on DC Standup. I imposed myself on these three questions.
1) Why doesn't Washington DC, the political capital of the country, produce more "political" comics? 2) Why are people more willing to espouse left-leaning views on stage than conservative views? 3) Who is the best political comic of all time?
Here were my answers.
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Answer #1: After a careful reflection, I have come to understand the following about political comedy. Trying to do political jokes, even in DC, is like walking across a mine field. If you step in an area you shouldn't go, audiences, much like the mine, will explode in anger, and in either case, the comic will die, on stage or in the field.
(Some of you might be asking me, "Tom, why would a stand-up comedian be walking through a field littered with mines?" That's a different story altogether – and a very painful one.)
Regardless of how people feel about politics or how they feel about President Bush's last speech about Iraq, Social Security, or whatever issue the media decided to focus on that day, comedians' political views have kept many marginalized and trivialized for years, owing to the fact that many people are surrounded by politics all day long (on television, in the newspaper, the guy sitting next to them at the local watering hole) and aren't in the position to have it thrown back in their faces when they come out to a comedy show. They come there to laugh at simple things in life, like airplane food and supermarkets. People want a quick fix when they go to a comedy show. They want something to satisfy their humorous cravings in a way that they can easily understand it, without having to think extensively for long periods of time. How do you think Larry the Cable Guy grew such a strong following?
I believe the reason more political comedians have not emerged out of DC is because there is not enough dissent and distrust within the populous of this country to be able to poke fun at American politics, although I think Cindy Sheehan is slowly changing that. When the United States initially got involved in Vietnam, people were led to believe that it was the right thing to do because Americans did not want another country to fall to the Communists. As the war continued throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, many Americans began questioning their concern for the Communist menace and they introduced the American menace. As a result, people began to understand government incompetence and pain-in-the-ass bureaucracies almost like they understand how horrible airline food is and how difficult it can be to find something in the supermarket.
So, why haven't more political comedians emerged out of DC? My short and sweet answer, give it time. People will catch on eventually.
Answer #2: I think the answer to this question lies in demographics. For the most part, performance art of any kind tends to attract crowds looking to escape from the ideas that they were taught growing up, such as you go to school for forever, you go to college for forever plus four more years, acquire debt due to student loans, work until you pay them all off and then you die. Pretty bland stuff. That's why people not happy with the status quo are attracted by comedy. Stand-up comedy is pretty much a way to grow up and evolve, for audience and comedian alike.
Answer #3: I think the "best" political comedians are ones that don't have an entire row of CDs for sale at Best Buy or Circuit City. Specifically, I am a fan of Richard Belzer, who has been incorporating politics into his act since he started doing stand-up comedy in 1972. In the 1980s, his phenomenal views of Reaganomics probably would've gotten him shot in rural America, but he found a way to express his views in a way that people could understand them. As a result, he maintained a strong cult status even into today, where he does some of the same material today that he did 33 years ago. In my mind, the Belz is the Man.
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Take them for what they are. This was Tom Myers in September 2005.
~TOM

Friday, September 01, 2006

Larry the Cable Guy

I don’t understand Larry the Cable Guy. There is one thing I can say without hesitation: I don’t consider him a comedian, at least what I believe a comedian should be, at least not an Enlightened one.
As I am writing this long-hand before I type it into the online world, I am sleeping in, what was fifteen years ago, my cousin’s bedroom in what is still my aunt’s home in Landenberg, Pennsylvania. I am lying here trying to go to sleep so that I can wake up and go to a family reunion in West Chester, just a tad north of Landenberg. I know it will be difficult to explain to my relatives what I do. What will be most frustrating is if I tell people that I am a comedian, they will automatically associate me not with George Carlin, Lewis Black, Bill Hicks, or Richard Pryor, but with Larry, the Cable Guy. Being West Chester, I will probably be peppered with “Git-R-Done” again and again throughout the entire damned afternoon.
I do not make blanket statements like this without having evidence that backs up my claims. I have seen a few Larry the Cable Guy performances, those few have been enough for me. I don’t care to watch any more. Coming out to applause at the start of his set, he will dance to get the audience more riled up. After the dance, he’ll inform his audience, “Yeah, I had to get ma’ underwear outta ma’ crack.” The first time you see it, it’s kind of funny. And I mean “kinda.” After you see it a few more times, it is not even “kinda.” He does this at the start of EVERY set???? Hmmm … you would think that this man would figure out that this problem was going to occur ahead of time and rectify the situation before coming out on stage. However, if he gets rid of that one bit, he will lose half of his act that will actually work with an Enlightened audience.
The other half, of course, is the catchphrase “Git-R-Done.” This guy should be able to stroll out, say “Git-R-Done” non-stop for forty minutes, walk offstage, collect his check and be on his way until the next time he’s thrown into the barrel like a monkey at the Delaware State Fair.
Comedy is supposed to be performers having original thou8ghts, which is to say that the comedian is to bring his own original thoughts to a particular subject. Larry, the Cable Guy may do this, but the whole idea is cheapened and compromised by the catchphrase, which I can tell the Cable Guy himself is getting sick of saying time and time again. I can just see the pain on his face when he realizes the only way to shut some loudmouth hillbilly heckler in the audience up is to say “Git-R-Done” the MIDDLE of one of his bits. With a catchphrase, he was painted himself into a corner out of which there is no way to get out.
Speaking of catchphrases, there is something else Larry the Cable Guy says that, if said by other comic, particularly a struggling one, would get them the cold shoulder from the audience. After a particularly off-color joke, “Larry” will say “I don’t care who you are. That’s funny right there.” I’ve got news for you. Judging from my own personal experiences about what I find funny and other performances from comics bombing on stage while begging (unsuccessfully) for laughs, if a comedian has to tell someone that a joke is funny after you tell it, it’s not. End of discussion. As far as I’m concerned, that bit is never going to be funny.
To sum it up, I do what I do. Larry the Cable Guy does what he does. There are fans of me. There are fans of Larry the Cable Guy. I know that the chances of these two groups mingling are less than one percent. I say, let everyone do what they want to do.
And as a side note, during the reunion, there was not one “Git-R-Done” uttered. There is still hope for the people of West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Tax rebates for volunteering?

S.A.V.E. (Support American Volunteer Efforts) currently has a bill before Congress that if passed would grant up to $2,000 in a tax rebate to people who volunteer for nonprofit organizations.

The only way to pass this bill is to let Congress know that Americans support it!

Go to the S.A.V.E. website ( http://www.saveusa.info/) and vote for the S.A.V.E. bill! You could win a case of Annie's Macaroni and Cheese and also help make the S.A.V.E. bill a reality.

Thursday, August 03, 2006

The Comedy World According to Tom

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Tom Myers. I am a stand-up comedian, based in Baltimore, MD. However, I have done shows outside of the Baltimore area. Most of these shows have been in the DC-Metro area, such as the District, College Park (in Maryland), Arlington and Alexandria (in Virginia). The furthest I have ever traveled to a show is Richmond, Virginia. I hope to travel to other regions of the U.S. and eventually, travel around the world doing comedy. I consider performing more than a hobby and I feel I take it more seriously than other comedians that I've seen in my five years doing comedy.

The sole purpose of this blog, "The Comedy World According to Tom," is to give my readers a perspective on the world of comedy. As I have only performed in Maryland, DC, and Virginia, I will focus on those comedy scenes and my observations about what goes on and how such events affect the comedy scene in general. All I am doing in these posts is expressing my opinion. These posts are not always meant to be taken literally and I do joke a bit when writing them. Of course, feedback (good and bad) is always appreciated. I will read each of your messages and take them into consideration when writing my entries.

I write this blog more for the benefit of the readers than for my own personal gain, but I will say that it is an honor to be selected to write for Omaemoda Productions. I hope to submit many entries for as long as I am capable of sitting at a keyboard and typing, which should be for many years.

Until the next post,
~TOM

Friday, July 14, 2006

Omaemoda Productions Comedy Night Fundraiser

Wednesday, August 16
show starts at 8 pm; doors open at 7:30
Staccato Lounge: 2006 18th Street NW (18th & U, Adams Morgan)

Cover: $5

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Technical difficulties

The Omaemoda website (www.YouAreInvolved.org) is experiencing technical difficulties, but you can still visit us online at www.YouAreInvolved.com or www.YouAreInvolved.net.

Thanks!!

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

What's Better than Voting for American Idol?

Tired of voting for American Idol just to see the talented singers lose? Then help promote real musical talent by buying Omaemoda Productions' Compilation CD!

Omaemoda Productions has just released a compliation CD that features original songs that range from country, to rock, to acoustic to electric. This CD features 14 talented bands, many of whom have played with Omaemoda in the past.

By purchasing this CD you can feel good knowing that you are supporting local artists and Omaemoda. All proceeds will help Omaemoda to foster the arts and community involvement. Your purchase will empower us to give a larger percentage of our show proceeds to other charities including Brainfood, Project Northstar and Washington Animal Rescue League.

You can buy the CD (and hear excerpts from the songs) at http://www.cafepress.com/omaemoda.47284081 .

Thank you for your support.


P.S. Omaemoda's Summer Concert – featuring Deborah Lombardi,
Schroeder's Sonbook and Just Like Always – will be June 7th at 7:30 at
Staccato at 2006 18th Street NW (Adams Morgan). Tickets are on sale
now at www.YouAreInvolved.org.

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Acting Generous: Omaemoda featured in this month's OnTap Magazine

Check out this month's OnTap! Theater writer Natalie Koss talks about what makes Omaemoda different from other theater companies.

http://www.ontaponline.com/view_article.php?article_id=10279

Tickets for Harold Pinter's Old Times on sale now!
May 11 - 14, 18 - 21 at the DCAC in Adams Morgan
$12 online, $10 - $15 at the door
www.YouAreInvolved.org

~~Raise money for Omaemoda Productions just by searching the Internet with GoodSearch: www.GoodSearch.com - powered by Yahoo! Just type in Omaemoda as the charity you're supporting.

Friday, April 07, 2006

Omaemoda Productions Presents

Image hosting by Photobucket

Old Times
by Harold Pinter

Deeley and Kate live in an isolated country house. Their quiet marriage is pried open by the arrival of Kate's old friend Anna, visiting after 20 years. Their reminiscences stir up unsettling images, and what begins as a game of after-dinner nostalgia turns into an eerie sparring-match.

Directed by Stefani Olsen
Starring Karen Doubek, Carol McCaffrey, Daniel Owen

May 11 - 14, 18 - 21at 7:30 pm
DC Arts Center
2438 18th Street NW (Adams Morgan)

Tickets:
Online: $12 (On Sale Monday, April 3!)
At the door: $15 General Public, $12 DCAC Members, $10 Students/Seniors

Produced by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc.

Friday, March 03, 2006

How can I help Omaemoda Productions?

Buy Magazines!

Omaemoda Productions has kicked off its fundraising campaign and this year, we've found a new way to raise money. It's fast and easy for you to help support our cause! When you buy, renew or extend your favorite magazine subscriptions on our online store, 40% of each purchase goes back to our cause!

Over 650 magazine titles at up to 85% off the newsstand prices
Buy online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Use this link to go to our online magazine store and help support our cause!
http://www.magfundraising.com/omaemoda

Thanks for your support.

===============================
Use GoodSearch.com!


There is new and easy way to raise money for Omaemoda Productions just by searching the Internet with GoodSearch.com.

It's simple. You use GoodSearch.com like any other search engine — the site is powered by Yahoo! — but each time you do, money is generated for Omaemoda. Just type in Omaemoda as the charity you're supporting.

Last year, search engines generated close to $6 billion in revenue from advertisers. With GoodSearch part of this advertising revenue will now be directed to Omaemoda.

We hope that not only will you use GoodSearch as your main search engine from here on out, but will also pass this message on to your friends and family. The more people who use this, the more money will go to Omaemoda Productions.

==================================

Check out the Wish List on our website for more ways to help!

Omaemoda Productions uses the performing arts to raise funds and awareness for charitable organizations in the DC area. We are also committed to the development of local performing arts talent. For more information about Omaemoda, visit www.YouAreInvolved.org

Omaemoda is 100% volunteer-run and we need your help. Join our volunteer list by sending a blank email to omaemodavolunteers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

Tuesday, February 28, 2006

AUDITION NOTICE

Omaemoda Productions announces auditions for
Harold Pinter's Old Times (2F/1M).

Deeley and Kate live in an isolated country house. Their quiet marriage is prised open by the arrival of Kate's old friend Anna, visiting after 20 years. Their reminiscences stir up unsettling images, and what begins as a game of after-dinner nostalgia turns into an eerie sparring-match.

Production Dates are May 11 – 14, 18 - 21.

When: Saturday, March 4, 11 am - 2 pm
and Saturday, March 11, 11 am - 2 pm

Where: Cleveland Park Neighborhood Library
3310 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. (at Macomb Street, N.W.)
Washington, D.C. 20008

Prepared monologues are not required, but are encouraged. Please do not bring a monologue to exceed 3 minutes. Be prepared for cold readings.

Please plan to spend about 1 hour with us. You are encouraged to register for a slot via our website; alternatively, you may RSVP to audition@YouAreInvolved.org with your expected arrival time.

Omaemoda Productions is 100% volunteer-run and all roles are unpaid. A portion of the proceeds from all productions will benefit our community partners for 2006: Brainfood, Project Northstar and Washington Animal Rescue League.

For more information about Omaemoda Productions, please visit our website: www.YouAreInvolved.org.

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Support Omaemoda by using GoodSearch.com

There is new and easy way to raise money for Omaemoda Productions just by searching the Internet with GoodSearch.com.

It's simple. You use GoodSearch.com like any other search engine — the site is powered by Yahoo! — but each time you do, money is generated for Omaemoda. Just type in Omaemoda as the charity you're supporting.

Last year, search engines generated close to $6 billion in revenue from advertisers. With GoodSearch part of this advertising revenue will now be directed to Omaemoda.

We hope that not only will you use GoodSearch as your main search engine from here on out, but will also pass this message on to your friends and family. The more people who use this, the more money will go to Omaemoda Productions.

Wednesday, February 08, 2006

Buy Magazine Subscriptions to Support Omaemoda Productions

Omaemoda Productions has just kicked off its fundraising campaign and this year, we've found a new way to raise money. It's fast and easy for you to help support our cause! When you buy, renew or extend your favorite magazine subscriptions on our online store, 40% of each purchase goes back to our cause!

Over 650 magazine titles at up to 85% off the newsstand prices
Buy online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Use this link to go to our online magazine store and help support our cause!
http://www.magfundraising.com/omaemoda

Thanks for your support.

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Omaemoda Productions 2006 Band Showcase

Omaemoda announces our first show of 2006!

OMAEMODA PRODUCTIONS 2006 BAND SHOWCASE

Sunday, February 26
Grog & Tankard
2408 Wisconsin Ave, NW

Doors open at 6, Concert starts at 7
$10 cover

Featuring:
Paul Kamran
Russ Glenn, with Jeff Socha
Schroeder's Songbook
The Hickories

Come out and hear great music while supporting our 2006 Community Partners: Brainfood, Project Northstar and Washington Animal Rescue League!

SAVE THE DATE:
Happy Hour at The Big Hunt
Wednesday, March 22

RAISE MONEY FOR OMAEMODA WHEN YOU SEARCH THE INTERNET
Raise money for Omaemoda Productions just by searching the Internet with GoodSearch: www.GoodSearch.com - powered by Yahoo! Just type in Omaemoda as the charity you're supporting.

For more information, visit our website: www.YouAreInvolved.org

Monday, January 02, 2006

Get Involved!

Happy New Year everybody!

Here are a few ways to support Omaemoda in 2006!

Join our mailing list!




Click to join omaemodaupdates



Join our volunteers list!




Click to join omaemodavolunteers



Join our auditions list!





Click to join omaemoda_auditions






Check us out!


Also, check us out on Friendster

For more ways to support Omaemoda, including shopping portals and a charity-minded search engine, visit our website: www.YouAreInvolved.org or Our Wish List