Watch 'n' Learn

I mapped out a set for last night's gig that was about 12 minutes long, fully expecting to get cut short. To my surprise and delight, the producer left me up for the whole thing. Glad I was prepared.

One thing on my mind lately has been the idea of having all the bits I've ever written in my head at the ready. Recently I was reviewing my master joke list and realized that I had bits I'd literally forgotten about. I'm trying to work on mental cataloging techinques so that when I'm on stage thinking, "what should I do next based on how they've responded so far" I can conjure a mental menu on the fly. This is hard. Very hard. A lot harder than expected. The number of things a comic is trying to keep in his head at once is staggering ... all while trying to seem relaxed and casual and like, "it's no big deal."

The format for comedy shows is pretty similar at most clubs ... an MC, some number of comics, and a headliner is last, usually the best and most experienced comic in the show. If find this does two things for me.

First, it's a pleasure to watch an experienced comic do their thing. It's inspiring. I'm always trying to glean tips ... not of things to directly mimic. I watch more with an eye on technique. It gives me something to strive toward.

Second, sharing the stage with superb performers shows me just how much there remains for me to learn. It keeps me humble.

I'm proud of how far I've come. And I'm keenly aware of how far I have left to go.


I watched George Carlin's latest HBO special this week. As always, his command of the English language is nothing short of terrifying.