Eureka, I made a guy throw up

I had a great week opening for MIke Marino in Reno, at Catch A Rising Star, inside the Silver Legacy Casino.  Eight shows in 6 days, it was a great way to start 2012.  Last night while on duty, Sheriffing, driving the streets, those doubts crept into my mind.  Do I still have the comedy chops? Is it really something I should be doing ? Wouldn't it be easier just to concentrate on my cop job.  Yes I had probably 4 good shows, and two killer shows in Reno, but there were two, where I really felt the pangs of rejection, my self confidence was shaken a bit.  I met with a deputy for coffee, 7-11, Echo Park, Los Angeles.  We received a call of a wild man threatening a bus driver, refusing to get off the bus.  It was in the San Fernando Valley, it took us about 25 minutes to arrive.  We quickly brought the situation to a peaceful conclusion, or the deputy did, while I stood by.  As we drove away from the call, the deputy made a comment to me on our car to car radio.  A declarative statement, truthful observation on his part.  I retorted with my reaction to what he said ( a punch line to his statement).  It was still pretty warm, and our radio car windows were down.  I heard him screaming with laughter.  He then quickly pulled to the curb, and I pulled in behind him.  He jumped out of his police car, bent over, and threw up !  He was still laughing.  He said thats the first time in my life, I laughed so hard I threw up !!  Did you see me, you made me throw up!!  I still have it.  Thats what it's all about.  That is the key to my writing, To take real situations, observations, and insert my natural sense of humor reaction to them.  My attempt to structure made up jokes is not going to work, doesn't work really.  This epiphany comes on the heel of my study of the work of comedian Steve Roye, who professes to do just what I did just then naturally, to develop killer material.  I have been too funny off stage, using my natural sense of humor in reaction to conversations.  I have been less funny in my act, trying to write, structure, create funny out of made up stuff.  Making a deputy sheriff throw up, never felt so good.  I felt like I was back at the lunchroom in high school, throwing in the punch line someone took a drink of their milk, just to watch them spray it out their nose, as they laughed uncontrollably.  I'm off to observe and report, and insert my personal sense of humor reaction, with my point of view and twist.  I want to make more people throw up.  

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.  

"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.  

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!,,  

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. 

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.