okay, so at one of the gay bars in town, there is a comedy contest tonight. i am thinking about entering, partly because the first place prize is 250 dollas.

but here's the thing. i don't really do traditional stand up. it's more humorous monologue. am thinking about doing the softball peice i wrote while in austin, and posted on here (for those that remember), but it is a little long, and long in comedy terms, especially in stand up, equals death, because people want fast, short, and loud. I am also thinking about ripping off a sandra bernhard peice instead. sandra is not terribley well known, even in the big cities, especailly not here, but it is kind of a big no-no amongst the stand up comedian set to cop other peoples bits.

HELP!

What would you do if you did rip off Bernhard and someone called you on it?

That would be a downer

Smooches;)

MsMisha319 said:

true. would honestly say its a bernhard bit if confronted.

Hi, Chris. Miss you much, sweetie!

I would go with the monologue.

TheOrgerFormerlyKnownAs said:

hi luv!

miss you too, where u been??

i should add also, ripping is a no-no, but very very commonnone the less. not a grave sin, but a sin none the less

cborgman said:

don't do a sandra rip-off. seriously. when i saw sandra perform in chicago last year, a gay guy opened for her and HE did a sandra rip-off. and it went over like the plague. do the improv, but just be aware of your audience, allow for a bit of ad-lib, keep the energy up and have FUN with it.

If it's funny, it's funny. I would always go for original material though. You may want to truncate the story if it's too long. SOme things translate better written that spoken.

Good Luck.

Anxiety said:

co-sign. No theft. Be true to yourself

Anxiety said:

I totally agree! Chris, you're too smart and quick and funny to have to rip off someone else's stuff.

Anxiety said:

do you rememeber the softball peice at all?

superspaceboy said:

i think i will, if i do it at all. thanks for the luck

i wouldn't perform at all before i'd lift someone else's material. if your work is inspired by someone else's style, that's one thing. but comedy isn't like music - you can't do covers.

in fact does anyone remember the softball peice at all? it's ok if you don't. just asking for advice and a yay or nay on it.

cborgman said:

i don't even remember you posting it.

Anxiety said:

crap... not a good sign for the piece.

cborgman said:

is it the story where a softball keeps hitting you in the face and you keep going "oh my nose job" cuz that was quite hilarious. Or was it the softball-anal-bead story? It makes me wince..but That one always cracks me up.
[Edited 1/14/05 11:42am]

superspaceboy said:

god, i hate you

cborgman said:

Coming from Satan...that's not a surprise

superspaceboy said:

:iketurnerslap:

cborgman said:

it's about softball? is it sports humor?

Anxiety said:

it was about me playing softball for the first time since i was a kid, while in austin. got a great response on the org.

was called "SOFTBALL (and other forms of heterosexual torture)"

it's okay if you don't recall, been more than a year
[Edited 1/14/05 11:48am]

cborgman said:

I remember you posting it, but I don't remember the details. It was a long time ago.

cborgman said:

can you post it again, i really don't remember...

definitely go with your own stuff - THEY may not know it's ripped off, but YOU do!

applekisses said:

s'ok. been more than a year. sorryu yall, im just nervous as hell

maybe you should wait for the next comedy night and take some time to prepare and rehearse your skit? i think the only time you can really fly by the seat of your pants is when you do so much stand-up/improv that you can just turn it on at the drop of a hat. i don't know, maybe you can do that. still, it always helps to have something prepared.

cborgman said:

It's ok honey...do you still have it? Maybe you should post it again so we can read it

applekisses said:

I promise to keep the sarcasm to a minimum

No you shouldn't rip off Sandra, you goof. Do your own thing, you'll rock it.

Do original work-go for it-taking the chance is the best part of the memory.