Editor's Notes
The gift of laughter.
It’s a common expression. Many feel that to make someone laugh is one of the best things you can do for another person; that if you have the ability to do so, it’s your obligation to do it, your calling, like entering the clergy or buying the first round at happy hour.
Doctors are constantly saying how essential laughter, happiness, and a positive outlook are to your health; that there is a direct relationship between your mental outlook and your physical well-being. And who makes more people laugh than comedians? Nobody. Not urologists. Not landlords. Not George Bush. Nobody. Yet you rarely hear it put in those terms.
You never hear anyone say, “Oh, that person’s so giving; you know, like a comedian.”
In general, comedians, like other performing artists, are considered glamorous and gifted, and at the same time, self-centered, egotistical, and foul-mouthed. That’s why, on comedy club stages you generally have a microphone and one bar stool. There’s only one place to sit, so the comedians can claim, “It’s all mine!” At the same time, the solitary stool brings to mind the dunce cap or punishment of sitting in the corner from elementary school. “You’re a disgusting little child! Go sit in the corner! What, we don’t have a corner? Then sit in front of us while we pay 8 dollars for a Heineken and talk to our friends during your set.”
Show biz is a cut-throat business, highly competitive, and you take it for granted that it’s every man or woman for themselves. If someone’s being nice to you, it’s to get something from you. Backstabbing is expected which is why so many actresses wear backless dresses to award shows for fear that material would hide the evidence.
I was in a second tier comedy stage production in a third tier dinner theatre, passing the time in a dressing room before a show with a wise, veteran actor, Fred Smith. We started discussing the theatre; its vaunted history and glorious impact. I spouted some crap I thought was profound I’d picked up in an acting book about trust between performers and I asked his advice how to gain it.
He responded as we donned our costumes and headed for the stage. “Trust? Between actors? You want some advice. Always bring your wallet with you on stage. People around here will rob you blind!”
And yet you hear stories all the time of comedians stepping up to do what they can to help others. On the larger scale you have Comic Relief which in the U.S. and abroad has raised millions for causes from poverty and world hunger to victims of Katrina. Comics Come Home has had a legendary lineup year after year of Boston’s greats for Cam Neely’s Foundation for Cancer Care. Eddie Izzard’s been in the news of late, running over 1,100 miles in England to raise money for Sport Relief.
And everywhere you go you see similar programs on a much smaller scale in local clubs. Non-profit groups reach out to comics for fund-raising shows. In Steve Mazan’s case, from this issue, comics get together in support of a colleague who needs a hand. It’s that same spirit that makes comics, from Bob Hope’s era to today, board planes and helicopters in the most dangerous areas of the world, go the extra mile to entertain the troops.
So, if you feel jaded about the comedy world these days, go ahead. Feel free to get pissed off because some asshole spouted off about you to a booker costing you a gig. Go on a tirade because that dick stole some of your material and seems to be making more money off it than you. Bitch, bitch, and bitch some more about the shitty gig where the host went over his time and did nothing up front so he could ride your laughs when he finally got around to doing material.
Then take a moment to read the note below I received from a veteran comic named Johnny Pizzi.
Ken Carlson is the editor of The Comedians.
editor@thecomedians.org
Dear Friends, Our great friend, Kevin Knox, needs our help.
Kevin Knox has been on the Boston Comedy scene for nearly 30 years. He’s one of the funniest, energetic, and most animated comics ever to step on a stage.
He’s a regular performer in Las Vegas and Atlantic City as well. One of the amazing things about Kevin is how he’s handled and treated all comics, young and old, always offering words of encouragement to everyone. Now, he is very sick and is battling cancer in his own, unconventional way. Kevin has battled this dreaded disease for over 6 years and if anyone can beat cancer he will... even as he lies gravely ill, Kevin NEVER complains and smiles and keeps a positive attitude. He’s an inspiration to everyone!!!!
His costs to battle this disease are overwhelming and he needs our help. We are not asking for large donations. We are hoping to pull off a successful Ponzi scheme, which unlike Bernie Madoff’s, is going to help people in a positive way!!!
We are asking everyone that receives this message to send a $5 donation to the address below. We are then asking you to send this to 10 or more people on your email list to do the same and so on and so on. During these tough economic times, we know that it is tough to ask for money from people so that is why we are keeping it at $5. Anything more than that is greatly appreciated, but not expected.
Please make checks payable to “Kevin’s Chain of Hope.” Let’s do everything we can to keep Kevin alive!!
Hope. Prayers. Positive Thinking.
Please send payments to:
Johnny Pizzi, PO Box 55, Malden, MA 02148