College Entertainment

I've been out of the college market for years. The only shows my agent provided were "nooners" - lunch time shows in the cafeteria. It is hard to laugh when you are eating. It is hard to engage an audience when they are paying marginal attention because they have to study. I didn't care for the shows, so I stopped working the market.

Now I am heading back. I've agreed to work with a new agent who will represent me in both NACA and APAC. The main part of the agreement - no cafeteria programs, no teasers. At that point I become a guy with a puppet - not a comedian ventriloquist.

So, to all college activities directors out there - take a look.



My clean corporate comedy will definitely transition to your audience!

Pain & Discomfort

I'm not talking about my audiences. Been headed to Physical Thearpy three times a week for a pinched nerve in my neck. I've suffered from the pain since mid-December and was finally placed into therapy. The original pain has been greatly reduced, but the muscles that caused it are killing me! Why does it have to hurt so much to stop pain? Time to go suck down some Ibuprofen.

Corporate Entertainment tonight...

I'm looking forward to tonight's show. I love my job. Plus, this group is going to be fun. I've never worked with or met them, but I can tell from the information they submitted to help me customize my act.

This is a smaller corporate dinner. No big screen projectors or sound crew like Monday. But that gives me an opportunity. I'll be carrying my brick wall, a stage setting that adds to the anticipation of the show. My lights will create greater visibility. I'll also be providing sound. I use and prefer Anchor, the system provides a nice clean voice, is light weight and easy to transport.

My goal, when the evening is over I want the client to say: that was great! Not just the show, but the entire experience. My business depends on the client. They let me do what I love. For that very reason, I'm looking forward to tonight!

Gimme' A Dollar

Everybody has their hand out right now. Just finished doing the taxes - I owe. The bills are all due. Insurance is up for renewal. Showcases want their fees, tradeshows need to be paid upfront, new promo needs to be purchased. I've got a project sitting on the shelf that needs cash infusion. I've got another project that was just started and needs to be completed before my summer tour begins. The house is badly in need of work and my wife wants to landscape the back yard.

Okay world, here's my check book. (Yeah, I still write checks...) I'm going back to bed.

I felt like Jeff Dunham...

Today was a blast! My car passed emissions, I was getting things done and I even got my work out at the gym in before lunch. When I got home, the message light was blinking and I got a very nice surprise.

One of my agents had an emergency. An act that was supposed to arrive in Washington D.C. was having trouble with his flights. The question was: if I was available, could I be on stand by and could I fill in if he couldn't get there. The answer was sure, happy to help.

About 3:30, I got the go ahead. I felt bad for the act who was stuck, but it was perfect timing on my end. I hopped in my car and drove to the venue. From the moment I arrived on site, I was treated like gold. I knew this was going to be a great evening.

The room was huge, had to hold about 1,200 - a guess since I didn't ask and didn't count tables, but there were a lot. The far wall was draped with two large projection screens on either side of the staging. The sound guy took care of all my needs including finding me a boom stand which wasn't around. The video camera operators went over my act with me to get an idea of where the camera shots should be.

After setting up, I was taken to the "VIP Green Room". Very sweet, just me and a big screen, comfy couches and chairs, mirrors, desk and private restroom. The wait staff brought me waters and asked what else I needed. They inquired about the serving of my meal and sure enough, a great dinner arrived on time.

When I hit the stage, it was FUN! As I turned, I'd catch glimpses of the big screens doing close ups of the puppets or a beautifully framed two shot. It was an evening where everything fell perfectly into place. Okay, it wasn't a stadium, and the projection screens combined may have matched the huge one Jeff uses. But tonight - I was in ventriloquist heaven!

Last Comic Standing...

Well, I did it. On Sunday I drove to NYC to audition for season 7 of NBC's Last Comic Standing. Did I make it? Will I be on TV? I couldn't say. I had to sign a confidentiality agreement. I will say Sunday was an interesting experience and I'd like to share some observations here.

I've been performing since I was a kid. I've worked fun audiences, tough audiences and even "no" audiences. For some reason, this "show" was different. Perhaps it was the potential for my first time in front of a national TV audience. Or it could have been the empty room. There was no one to connect with, just 3 judges and some production people who were in the back. Maybe it was the fact I was told how to start and where to face. No one but the camera in front of me. I was so nervous I was literally shaking. Looked like poor Dangerous Duck developed palsy. Given the circumstances and the set up, I still did what I do.

I also learned that "reality TV" isn't as real as people may think. Keep that in mind as you watch. There is a reason for everything that does, or doesn't happen.

Last Comic Standing Season 7 starts airing on NBC this June. Should be some great comedy this season. I'm sure there may be a few "weird" personalities as well. Not sure which I will be a part of - if I'm on at all...