Listen to me on the latest Wake Up Late with Dougie Show – June 30, 2015 with Dougie Almeida, Minda, & Jon Levine

Click here and listen to the latest episode.

Welcome to
the Wake Up Late with Dougie Show

 

Join Dougie & today’s co-hosts, Minda & Jon Levine
as they spend the morning discussing:
Gay marriage, Dougie announces his comedy contest, “So You Think You Can
Feature”, Minda & Jon discuss recent shows with Barry Sobel, & then
things get political.

 

Straight
From the Headlines

 

“NBC Cutting Ties to Donald Trump Over ‘Derogatory’ Remarks
About Immigrants”, “Girl, 13, Arrested For Vicious Videotaped Attack On
Classmate, Small Boy”, & “First robot wedding in Japan takes place and even
ends with a kiss”

 

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Subscribe

Coming Up Short #21 – Matt Bellak, Eric Rosenblum, and Jon Levine

Coming Up Short with Jon Levine and Eric Rosenblum

Jon Levine and Eric Rosenblum are excited about this week’s episode of the Coming Up Short podcast. We’ve been trying to get this week’s guest on the show for several months and we were finally able to make it work.

This week’s guest is one of the most well known comedians in the South Florida scene, Matt Bellak. Matt runs what is arguably the best open mic in South Florida at the Funky Buddha in Boca Raton, as well as being a regular performer at both the Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach Improv.

Eric and Jon talk to Matt about the history of the Funky Buddha and how he ended up at the helm, why Matt thinks that everyone has a large penis, and what it’s like trying to explain to the senile that there is, in fact, shrimp in their pasta.

The three also discuss this week’s Standup Spotlight of the Week, Max Reiter.

Listen to Coming Up Short Now!

Listen to me on the latest Wake Up Late with Dougie Show – June 23, 2015 with Dougie Almeida, Jon Levine, & The Rev. Bob Levy

Click here and listen to the latest episode.

Welcome to
the Wake Up Late with Dougie Show

Join Dougie & today’s co-host, Jon Levine as they
discuss such things as; having sex with tall woman, should any state fly the
confederate flag?  Dougie goes to a
Chinese “All you can eat” restaurant, Dougie hates manual labor, Jon would live
in Canada if he had to, & much more

Straight
From the Headlines

“Flesh-Eating Bacteria Kills Two in Florida as Water
Temperatures Rise”, “Accused Zimmerman shooter faces attempted murder charge in
Florida: reports”, “The 10 Best Pizzas in New York City”, “Maria De La Fuente
Caro accused of operating brothel at Boca Spa”, & “Anderson Cooper: Steven
Hawking Warns Development Of Intelligent Machines Poses Major Threat To
Humanity – He Predicts Smart-Pill For Boosting Brain Power”

“You Know
What I’m Saying” with the Rev Bob Levy

Dougie tells Bob he has air-conditioned seats, Bob thinks
Chinese people don’t die, & Bob asks Dougie why he never had any kids.

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My Opinion on Bringer Shows

5656979_origI was just reading an article on the Guardian’s website about ‘bringer shows’ in London’s comedy scene (the Guardian is the UK’s biggest newspaper). I won’t rehash their writing (you can read it for yourself here), but it got me thinking about bringer shows in the local South Florida scene, including the New Faces show at the Fort Lauderdale Improv happening this week.

For any reader not steeped in comedy lingo, a bringer show is one in which the performer needs to ‘bring’ a certain amount of audience members to get stage time. This number can range from 1 person to 10, depending on the venue.

Here’s my opinion: I think there needs to be a change. However, the change I’m suggesting might not be the one you’re thinking of. I’m OK with the concept of the bringer show. I understand why it’s done and it’s a good way for a show to make some money and get promoted without having to spend money on marketing. What I think the bringer show is lacking is a second, monetary option other than bringing people. I’ll explain.

I’m 41, which is (at least) ten years older than the majority of comedians in the South Florida scene. My life is markedly different from that of someone who’s ten years (or more) my junior. My friends, all of them, have children. My friends, all of them, work standard, 9-to-5 type jobs. My friends rarely, if ever, go out on weeknights. We’re all just passed that. Well, they are. I can’t seem to let it go, but that’s a post for another time.

What this means is that for me to get 10 people to come out to a show in the middle of the week is nearly impossible. Plans need to be made, sitters need to be called, reservations, coordinations, and all kinds of other stuff needs to happen for just a single couple to get out, let alone five. Add to this that the ‘novelty’ of me doing comedy has long since passed. I perform a lot, so there will always be another, more convenient time goes the thinking.

Where does that leave me? Currently, unable to participate. Furthermore, it completely degrades my willingness to even try. I’ve already been in situations at a bringer show when one, two or even three couples show up to see me perform and there’s a chance that I won’t because I didn’t hit the magic number. While these three couples are still seeing the show, they are disappointed because they came to see me and I can’t participate because I didn’t qualify.

So, what’s the solution? I think there should be a second option. One that allows a person in a situation such as mine to participate. While I may not be able to bring the requisite amount of people, I’d be willing to pay my way on stage for a place that I wanted to be. I’m not saying this should be the first option or that it should even be encouraged or advertised, but there’s a reason venues let people in for free and make their money from the drink minimum. They need to generate a certain dollar amount to make the night worthwhile, to pay the staff, and to keep the place open and I get that. I’m willing to contribute to that cost, maybe not in people, but in dollars.

Here’s my thought: I’m going to use a bringer show that requires the performer to bring 10 people as my example as this, at least in the South Florida scene, is the most well-known. I’d be willing to put up $50 to get on stage, BUT, that amount goes down by $5 for every person I bring in. So, If I’m able to get my 10 people, no money is needed. If I can only get 3 people to come, I pay $35, but get to perform for those that I brought. This incentivizes me to still try to get the 10 people, but doesn’t punish me (or the ones who did come) if I don’t.

The concept of a bringer show has been around well before I got into comedy and I’m sure it will continue well after I’m gone. I don’t know if what I said will change anything (I doubt it), but it’s worth a shot. Especially because I’d love to participate.

Coming Up Short #20 – Ciro Dobric, Eric Rosenblum, and Jon Levine

Coming Up Short with Jon Levine and Eric Rosenblum

Coming Up Short is almost old enough to drink! Join Eric Rosenblum and Jon Levine as they celebrate episode number 20 with our in-studio guest Ciro Dobric. Jon and Eric try to get to the bottom of what makes Ciro tick, how he got started in comedy and when he found his voice. We also talk to Ciro about some interesting incidents that have taken place in the past with comedians and audience goers alike and why you need to really believe in a joke to sell it.

Ciro, Eric, and Jon also talk about this week’s Standup Spotlight of the Week, Rachel Blavatnik.  Eric does his best not to murder her name and we try to finally define what quge means.

 

Listen to Coming Up Short Now!