Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Occupy LA

Occupy LA, I was there last night as it went down.  We were protecting our territory, the nearby subway stations.  From the Civic Center station, we had a birdseye view of the happenings, probably not as good as television, but being there gives you your own personal perspective.  Driving by the area for weeks, and seeing the destruction of property and  the litter and garbage, was unbelievable.  What happened to taking a stand, tax payers payed for this park, and the rules are, you can't come in here and camp, crap and piss all over the place, and otherwise damage the property.  Wow, to avoid confrontation and bad press, come on in and destroy everything to the tune of thousands of dollars.  LAPD did a great job, blocking off a perimeter for several blocks surrounding City Hall.  Hundreds of working, tax paying people were then not able to get to their cars, to go home, so they could get to sleep, for WORK the next day.  This was caused by Occupy LA, but ofcourse the police will get the blame.  It was awesome to see 1400 LAPD officers arrive in buses and in a caravan of radio cars.  Ofcourse we had to activate hundreds of Deputies, to get Transportation Buses to and from the jail, to transport prisoners, and to protect the county buildings in downtown. Wheres the outrage from the public, after we have now spent I assume is now over a million dollars.    Isn't it great, we peacefully concluded the movement.  I thought it was sickening to see hundreds of people, taunting the police, and shoving cameras two inches from the officers faces, and yelling obscenities.  Hoodlums were riding around with gas masks and sticks with impunity.  I guess I'm from a different time, I say from the beginning, tell these people very nicely, please get off the property, and if they don't, Force, fast and hard. Let them occupy central jail, full medical coverage, three meals a day, showers, and weekly change of clothes, its a win win.  Well I can't say anymore, lawyers already google me, and look for anything they can find, to use a gainst me, I do have the right to remain silent,   So until retirement, I will keep my opinions close to the vest.  Had to vent a little on this.

Friday, November 4, 2011

Upstate New York Shows

Another great year doing our charity shows in upstate New York.  This year we added a second show on Friday night at the Diplomat Banquet Center on Lyell avenue in Rochester NY.  After seeing last years show in Caledonia NY,  Tony DeBellis and Chuck Zona from the Association of Rochester Police and Area Law Enforcement Retirees approached Mike Marino and I about doing  a show for their organization this year.  It was a sellout crowd.  This is not always easy to do on a Friday night, but they did it. Ofcourse for me  still a working cop, to be able to perform for fellow officers current or retired is a thrill anytime.  As always my routine, and Mikes fit together like a glove for our law enforcement crowd.  The next night we returned to Caledonia, my home town.  What a thrill to have my Dad open the show.  This was special, in that Dad used to be the Chief of Police in town, and the charity, "Totsie Cook, Dan Coyle Scholarship" honors two of my fallen classmates.  Cliff Sr, 79 years young, took the stage like an old pro.  Little did i know, that he had been rehearsing for months. He knocked the socks off the crowd, and then introduced me.  Mike headlined the show, and just went crazy !,  it was one of the longest standing ovations I have seen Mike get.  After the Saturday night show, we had a little after party at mom and dads house.  What a great time.  And one of the few times we were able to get the family on dads side together.  Sometimes it takes a comedy show.  It's great that people and family got together and saw a great show, and we made alot of money for the charities to do great things, in the end its's true, the pleasure is in the giving.  To set up plan, and perform in these shows, bringing family friends, loved ones together for a special night, was truly priceless.  

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

"A Taste of Texas"

I was happy to donate a performance for my good friend and fellow department brother, Jim Dexter at his campaign kick off this past September 9th. He is running for the Baldwin Park City Council.  The event was held at Nick's "A Taste of Texas" restaurant in Covina.  As usual, the first thing I do, is scope the room for the amount of people, and how the room is set up.  It's a very large room, with a nice stage, and great lighting.  For a restaurant bar, this place a big emphasis on their stage and lighting.  It looked like the place could hold about 500 people.  Their was about 40 or so people, all eating, with young kids.  Uh Oh !,, So with a cavernous room, air hockey in the back, and quite a few young kids, already we are not in good circumstances for a comedy show.  Jeff Keller was the Headliner.  He was a great guy, who played a short stint with the NFL.  He currently hosts a radio show, and has toured with Paul Mooney.   Jeff was great to meet, obviously a class act.  He was friendly, had no ego or attitude.  We both were there to support Jim, and do the best we could for him, regardless of anything else.  AS we were waiting to start the show, everyone was spread out, and eating, and the lights were bright, and the place was very noisy.  When Jim took the mic from the stage, people moved in closer,  the music went off, the house lights went down, the stage lights went on, and hey, all of a sudden, it looked like a pretty nice show room.  I did twenty minutes of clean material, well not squeaky clean, but clean.  I was happy enough with my performance.  I could only stay for a few minutes of Jeff's performance, but as soon as he took the stage, I knew he was a pro.
He came on strong, and i was enjoying his show.  But, as it goes with being cop and comic, I was off to work.  Sometimes it's comic by evening,  cop by late night.  

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Iris Cirque Du Soleil

We went to the "Iris, Cirque du Soleil" show at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.  Wow what a show, I have to say it is spectacular.  It is a must see.  We hadn't been to the Kodak in a few years.  A lot of changes to the whole area.  Four levels of restaurants and shops.  It was nice to walk around before the show.  They announce before the show, how the show spent several million dollars to renovate the theatre, cutting the capacity down by over a thousand, to make the theatre and experience more intimate.  They reconfigured the stage, and sound system, to enhance the experience.  I thought that so unorthodox for a show to sacrifice the number of seats, therefore revenue per performance, in an effort to enhance the experience to the theatre goer.  I think it's the right thing to do in the long run, and it looks like the show plans on being there for a while.  The word of mouth will keep the shows at full capacity.  And by the billboards throughout the city, and the tv ads, they have gone to great expense for advertisement.  The feats and stunts in the show, are sometimes hard to believe as possible.  The music combined with the performance was awesome.  And the humor injected in the show was just right.  I say go see it !

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Laughlin with Mike Marino

Had a great weekend with Mike Marino in Laughlin Nevada at the Edgewater Casino.  All three shows were fantastic.  Usually the Friday crowd is a little lighter and not quite as responsive.  Friday, Saturday and Sunday were all packed crowds.  I have to say I was very happy with all three of my performances.  I'm a ashamed to say, that in all the years I have been doing comedy, the past few performances, have been the first time I have been so rehearsed.  And what a difference.  Usually I am going over my set selection, and actually rehearsing up to the time I leave the room to go to the showroom.    This past weekend, I was so well rehearsed, it allowed me to really enjoy the weekend. I was able to really take in all the experiences of the trip and where we were.  We rented jetskis, explored Laughlin, and had a great time.  You have a different swagger when you take the stage, knowing your stuff, front to back, and it gives you the freedom to play with it, and be in the moment.  Trying to perform, while concerned and making effort to remember you routine, is picked up by the audience, and can only hurt your performance.  It definately makes you speed up, and you end up talking to fast, which only adds to the detriment of your show.  It was really interesting to spend the day with Mike, and then see what he did with those experiences as he did his show that night.  The showroom is really great, and the staff is very friendly.  I had some new stuff that I slipped in the show, and it all went great!,,  

Saturday, June 11, 2011

What a great show we had on June 9, at Steven's Steakhouse !, Benefitting two East Los Angeles Deputy Sheriff's, who were involved in a gun battle, they survived, killed the suspect, but one deputy lost an eye.  Ticket sales were slow to start, we were a little worried, we paid for excellent talent.  We had KLOS famed DJ, Frazer Smith as our MC, and our Headliner was Mike Marino.  No pay wanted by me, I was honored to perform for my fellow officers, and those who support us.  Slowly as we got closer to the date, we started selling tables.  All of the Sheriff's Department UNIONS came through.  They all wrote donation checks, in support of LA Deputy Sheriff's.  I still was a little concerned because I had told Jim from Steven's I would have 300.  So he reserved the big room, and through in his own DJ.  As usual with these events, we had a big push the last week.  I didn't anticipate a rush at the door of over 75 tickets sold!.  It was a sell out in the end.  We had seating for 340, and ended up with 362.  Standing room only at the back.  What a great night.  Thanks to all who supported, gave, and attended !

Monday, May 16, 2011

God of Carnage

Great show yesterday at the Ahmanson Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. "God of Carnage" starring James Gandolfini, and Jeff Danels.  This show is straight from Broadway, as it has the entire broadway cast.  It's a 90 minute show without intermission, it was just right.  Hilarious! This is a must see show, I know it's a limited engagement show, but if you can, get down to the Ahmanson and see it.  

Thursday, April 14, 2011

The Downtown Comedy Club with Garrett Morris and Kevin Garnier

What a great time at the Downtown Comedy Club, in downtown Los Angeles.  Owned and operated by my good friends, Kevin Garnier, and the legend, Original "Saturday Night Live" Cast Member, Garret Morris.  I   received a lot of messages, asking why I didn't tell people I was appearing there.  This really is my laboratory.  Kevin and Garrett allow me to pop in during the open mic sessions of the weekend, and ply my craft.  It's exactly the way I want it to be.  It was a great crowd, and, I knew no one in the audience.  For me working out new material, it's the right ingredient for a reality check, and a real accurate assessment of my material.  No one there has a connection with me, which means, when I get the laughs there not based on any connection or relationship I have with the audience.  So there  I was with a packed house.  As usual Kevin and Garret gave me the VIP treatment, and checked to see if I was working that night, or if there was any special time I needed to go on.  Yep, I was working that night, so they put me on first, another bonus for me.  I will get to work on time, and I get to hit the audience cold, which means if some of the new stuff hits, it is really good.  I set up my flip video, and did my thing, I had it timed for ten minutes, when I finished and checked the flip it was 9:30,, right on schedule.  I felt very comfortable and confident this night and it showed.  I was happy with the reaction to the material.  Some hit good, and other stuff, that I really liked, fell dead.  This is the comedy business, you have to keep working, reworking the old stuff, adding, subtracting based on whats happening now.  Off to work I went, put on the business suit of police work, and i stopped back at the club, to take the above photo of Myself, Kevin Garnier and Garret Morris.  Garrett was looking forward to the airing on Oprah of all the original cast members in a couple days.  The show aired on April 12,  and it was great.  I will be stepping up my secret appearances at the Downtown Comedy club, as we trek our way to the finale show of the documentary I'm filming with Billy Boyd jr.  I'm going to plan a headlining weekend in the fall at the downtown comedy club, and we will film it for the documentary, hopefully,  I can persuade mr Garrett Morris to be a part of it.  

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Inside the Mind of a Serial Killer 3/14/2011 - cwyates | Internet Radio | Blog Talk Radio

Inside the Mind of a Serial Killer 3/14/2011 - cwyates | Internet Radio | Blog Talk Radio

Yesterday I put out my second blogtalkradio show with a guest.  The subject was not comedy, it was "Inside the mind of a Serial Killer".  My guest was Victoria Redstall who has been producing documentaries about serial killers for the past 4 years.  She produced a movie documenting the life of Wayne Adam Ford, a serial killer currently on death row, convicted of four murders.  I talked to Victoria about her involvement in the case. From the time she gained access to the high power section of the jail, meeting Ford where she posed as someone else giving Ford a false identity.  During the trial Ford had Victoria put on the stand, where she was forced to give her true identity.  Check out the blogtalkradio segment.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Mike DeStafano Dies of a heart attack at 44

Comedian Mike DeStafano suddenly died of a heart attack in NY.  Mike was a comedian who finished in the top five, of "Last Comic Standing".  He was a heroin addict who discovered standup in rehab.  He lost his wife to Aids.  I really connected to the raw truthfulness of his comedy.  I guess some would find it strange that a cop would admire this guy, and enjoy his comedy, and be a fan.  I was, and really looked forward to meeting him.  I had recently watched his DVD, and befriended him on facebook.  He really loved doing stand up, and was just finishing a tour in New York when he passed away. Yes he was raw, and cursed alot, for sure he was very real, and very funny. RIP Mike. 

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Headlining at the National Latino Peace Officers Assoc Dinner

Last night I was honored to be tasked with headlining the National Latino Peace Officers, ELA Association dinner at Steven's Steakhouse in Commerce,Ca.  Thank you Ray Lam for having me at the show, and allowing me to book the talent for the show.  It was really great to perform with Frazer Smith, Marco Assante, Vince Royale, and Randy Lubis.  Everybody was outstanding and the crowd loved the show.  Jim from Steven's Steakhouse once again, runs a class act operation and somehow always has a packed house.  I talked with Jim for a while, and we collaborated on doing future comedy shows at Steven's.  It was nice to be top dog, and headlining a show, but Ive gotten so used to featuring and opening for Mike Marino, it seemed like something was missing not having him there.  I talked to Mike just before the show, he had just come off stage in Florida, where he is on a multi city theatre tour.  Mike as always gave me some words of encouragement, and off i went, and was very happy with my performance.  Now back to the writing table!!

Saturday, February 19, 2011

I use Psycho-Cybernetics

I use Psycho-Cybernetics for my goals in comedy and life in general.  The term comes from combining Psychology, thinking, science of the mind stuff, and Cybernetics, which originated from Greece, meaning, helmsman, or someone who steers.  Hence controlling your thoughts in a direction that you choose.  I recommend reading several books about Psycho-Cybernetics from the author Dr. Maxwell Maltz.  He wrote his books in the 1960's, and many self help books and gurus that followed adopted many of his philosophies.  Dr. Maltz an accomplished plastic surgeon, discovered that some of his patients, after he would repair damage to their faces, and restored them to natural beauty, would still feel the same, self conscious, and ashamed of the way they looked.  The scars on the outside had been repaired, but the emotional scars on the inside remained.  Thats when Dr. Maltz began his study of the self image.  His book really trains you to control the prevailing thoughts you maintain, which he says has a big effect on our natural Automatic Success System.    The thoughts we maintain and focus on, get communicated to our sub-conscious, or as Dr. Maltz describes, our Automatic Success System.  Depending on our thoughts, it can be our Automatic Success System, or our Automatic Failure System.  Our subconscious doesn't argue with us or our conscious mind, on whether what were focusing on is positive or good, it merely carries out the orders.  Which is why it is so important, to keep those good thoughts prevailing, and focus on what we want, and not on what we don't want.  In the book he also gives strategies for maintaining good thoughts in our minds.  We can always control bad thoughts that enter our mind, but we can control how long they stay there. It's pretty amazing to hold thoughts and goals in our minds eye, and then see down the road, unforseen circumstances conspire to make our dreams come true.  I recommend Psycho-Cybernetics for harnessing the unlimited power of our subconscious minds, in realizing all our dreams.  I haven't looked at Maltz's work in a while, writing this has reignited my passion to give myself a refresher.   

Friday, February 18, 2011

Filming a Documentary

Are you ready? ,  I need you with me !  Last night I inked a deal with the amazing Bill Boyd jr, of Great Media TV.  We will be filming a documentary for the next year.  Putting on film, the trials and tribulations of L.A's Comedy cop, preparing for retirement from policing to full time comedian.  The film will culminate with me headlining my own comedy concert at the world famous Roxy on Sunset.  Some may remember I headlined my own show there in 1996.  Time to return and rip the roof off.  Looking forward to having all my loyal followers and supporters in the Documentary.  Bill will be filming at small clubs, and shows, as we work our way to the Roxy.  Maybe we should call this, "Road to the Roxy".  Bill will also be hitting the streets with me, documenting some on duty footage.  This should be a great adventure, and what an honor to have Bill shooting this. check out his bio:


Bill Boyd, Jr.



Bill has over 20 years experience in the television industry. He has worked with such legends as comedian Jerry Lewis, producer/host Dick Clark, puppeteers Sid and Marty Krofft, and country entertainer Garth Brooks.Bill's experience began at dick clark productions, where he has worked as the segment producer on major specials such as the GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS and the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS. Other award shows he has been involved with are the AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS and the PRODUCERS GUILD AWARDS.
He has produced and directed concert openings for MICHAEL JACKSON'S "IN CONCERT IN BUCHAREST" for HBO, as well as HANK WILLIAMS JR'S "DOUBLE EAGLE TOUR" for Pay-Per-View Television. In addition, he shot, produced and directed the 30-minute retrospective opening for the country group ALABAMA'S JUNE JAM 10th ANNIVERSARY. He was also involved with the Live 21-hour television concert FARM AID IV.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Introduced by original Saturday Night Live cast member Garret Morris


What a thrill to be introduced by one of the original cast members of Saturday Night Live, Garret Morris !
I know a lot of people of the new generation don't remember him from SNL in the 70's, but he is such a talent that I don't think ever really got the credit he deserved.  I had a chance to talk with him before the show, at 73, he still exudes a passion for life, and show business.  It was great to see  him up on that stage doing his thing.  He has had a wild run in life, fame with SNL, drugs, and being shot, and he is still living with passion.  I have been doing a lot of writing, and needed to get down to the Downtown Comedy Club, and put it out there.  It's the only true test of new material.  A comedy club, with no one in the audience that I know.  A comedy club in downtown LA, that borders skid row, probably the audience is made up of a very liberal crowd, and a crowd that is not that prone to loving the police, and here I go being introduced as LA's Comedy Cop, a real cop. But it went great.  I introduced the new stuff, the way you have to do it, opening up with tried and true stuff, and then slipping the new material in the middle, and finish with strong well rehearsed material.  I recorded the session with my flip video, so I could go over the reaction of the crowd to the material.  I am looking at filming a new DVD in the next year, so the time to write and hone the material is now.  Ofcourse crazy thoughts go through your mind as you drive to the venue by yourself.  You start thinking what am I doing, I have a day job that pays great, why am I going to this place of strangers who don't know me, and bear my soul.  It was a great set, and to squirm through the crowd at the back of audience, and comedians, meeting that blank stare of non recognition on your way to the stage, that feeling of confidence, and feeling this is where I want to be overtakes you.  After the set, to be met with applause and approval, and shaking of hands, and smiles of the people I passed by as a stranger not 15 minutes earlier, I have to say, was a tremendous high.  

Saturday, January 15, 2011

The Book, What if ?, and Why not ?

I'm currently reading the book, "what if? and Why not? by Jen Groover.  For those looking to expand your life, grow, and maybe even take a leap of faith in a new venture. this book is for you.  For sure if you thinking of being an entrepreneur, this is kind of a how to, but not just the physical legal requirements, but more importantly the psychology.  According to my kindle, I'm just 20% into the book, but, it was time for a post, and the book, so far, inspired me to action.  I'll quoted from Jen's book, "Just about every idea that ever turned an industry upside down or  minted a generation of new millionaires was considered crazy by the majority.  That is, until it became a huge success.  Then it's value was suddenly obvious to all the naysayers!  The moral of the story is that when you tell people-and this includes other entrepreneurs and business people, who are as susceptible to innovation aversion as anybody else-about your vision and they snap, "can't be done," don't lose faith. In fact having someone tell you that your concept is bonkers can be reason to dance, sing, and plan for your initial public stock offering.  The real currency in business in not money but original thinking".  I'm not done yet, but the book has fascinating stories, real life situations that are very inspiring. A story about the original Beatles manager, arranging auditions for the fab four, and the reaction was, no, guitar groups are a thing of the past.  We know the band signed with another producer, and the rest is history.  O.K.  I'm off to work my police job on the night shift.  And tomorrow I will continue to plot my journey to full time comedian.  And I will finish this book, while I think "What if? and why not?

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Lombardi Rules

One of the inspiring events of our trip to New York City was seeing the show "Lombardi".  I have been thinking about the show, and the man, and yesterday I received my "Success" magazine.  One of the featured articles was about Vince Lombardi, titled, Greatness beyond the grid Iron.  The article featured many of the Lombardi Rules.  Lombardi Rule: Act with purpose, I'm not better nor less than the next man. But I always knew what my acts would mean. I was lucky, and i found a singleness of purpose early on."  I think I will start this year, incorporating a few of the rules myself.  Lombardi Rule: Chase perfection. "if you settle for nothing less than your best, you will be amazed at what you can accomplish in your life."  Lombardi Rule: Don't just work harder than the next guy. Work harder than everybody else.  Lombardi believed that a persons character is made up of small, everyday decisions to do the right thing, as well as larger prevailing traits, such as respect, humility and responsibility. "Character is just another word for having a perfectly disciplined and educated will."  He brought five NFL championships to Green Bay in nine seasons.  While other coaches knew more about the x's and y's of the game, no one knew his player's psychology better than Lombardi.  He developed people, not players. 

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Here we go 2011

Central Park New York
Well here we go 2011, first day.  I really had a great December, spending time with family and friends.  The trip to New York, was just what I needed.  It was great to get away and get inspired, and New York can really do that for you, or allow you to do it for yourself.  I took the time, to look back on the previous year, and really soak up the memories, and be in a state of gratitude for everything that was either accomplished or at least tried.  It was great to enjoy New York with Alba and our friends Ray and Linda Lam, who got married on this trip 
!  Alba and I were honored that they wanted to get married on this trip with us, and allow us to enjoy and be a part of this special day in their lives.  New York City is not for everyone, but I know many people who tell me they really want to go, and they will someday, the road to someday, leads to nowhere.  I say do it, you can budget and make it happen.  You will be glad you did.  I also did a great amount of reading, and studying the greats of comedy.  Lets get started, I will continue to do the podcast, and blog on a regular basis.  I have some hefty goals as far as writing, rehearsing, and performing, while still doing my best to stay employed in my cop job.  I hope everyone had a great New Years !