Writing Comedy for new DVD taping

I'm getting in the wood shed daily, writing for the next DVD taping. I've had to tune up my comedy writing basics. It has to be truthful, Phyllis Diller, told one of her writers, Gene Perret, if it's not true, don't send it. The writing of comedy, starts with truth, and involves the ability to analyze and prepare. There are two basic thought processes to writing a joke. First the rapid, almost unnoticeable, rolling of thoughts and ideas through your brain, and instantaneously analyzing these for a relevant connection with another thought. Generally joke writing is made up of taking two ideas and combining them into one. What I have to do is tie two ideas together in a funny way. A big part of the funny in a joke, is the funny, which comes as a surprise. The punch line has to be hidden while presenting the set up. The audience can't see it coming. A comedy writer has to take advantage of the way people process thoughts, so they can be led in a direction, and be hit in the head with the surprise. I'm trying my best to take experiences in my police job, and turn them into material, all the while, making sure these ideas and premises our relatable to a vast audience, as opposed to a niche group. This can be the difficult part, but it is what gives me a niche, in that, I'm one of the few actual cops, who is also a comedian. Ok, I'm back to the writing table, writing my next killer comedy routine.

10/05/2010

Hi Everybody,

I actually figured out how to post a podcast to the blog. You can see it to the right of the page, just click on it, and then you click on the podcast button on the top, and it starts playing !,, it works,, so I will be posting podcasts on a regular basis now that I know that I can do it. Thank god for you tube video tutorials. Yes!

I have decided to start the process of filming my next DVD. This DVD will be a full hour of new stuff. I am going to title this show and DVD, "Once Before I Go", because this will be the last DVD, /concert, I will do as working Sheriff's Sergeant. I am down to 23 months before I retire, just enough time, to get the new material, work it out, rent the theatre or club, get the film crew, and get it done. I guess it will be kind of a retirement party also. Maybe the DVD release party will be the retirement celebration. Thats the plan, and everyone can have a DVD of the party. I'm off to work on it now. I'll keep you posted on the details.

LA Cop Leads Double Life, and Plans to Kill

LA Cop Leads Double Life, and Plans to Kill

Totsie Cook/Dan Coyle Scholarship Show

September 18th, Jones Hall Caledonia Ny, Saturday Night. Please come, this is going to be a great show, for a great cause. Jones Hall, is opening the doors at 6pm for food and beverage, and the show starts promptly at 8pm.. This is a special show, the class of 75 , friends and family lost Totsie way too early, and the Totsie Cook scholarship was created. Classmate Dan Coyle, pictured above, would help raise money for the scholarship through the farm, and pumpkin patch each year with the kids. Last year, we lost Dan in a tragic accident. Dan and I were both class clowns back in school, I remember he and I getting sent to the principals office, when we decided to start combing our hair in unison. Who knows we could have started synchronized hair combing in the Olympics. To top things off this year for our 2nd comedy show, we have Dan Coyle jr, flying in from Chicago, to sing a few songs in honor of his dad, this will be a special night. I don't know when we will be able to get national headliner Mike Marino to come back out to Caledonia, I was able to get him committed to our show early, he is in high demand and selling out all over the country. The show last year was sold out at the Caledonia Country Club, and we had to turn some folks away at the door. Please buy early either on line or through Loree Harrington, Gail at Jones Hall, or Cliff Yates sr. go to the web site home page for ticket details, see you at the show !!!!

Saturday September 18,2010

Saturday September 18, is quickly approaching, I am so thankful that I have the opportunity to be going back to my hometown of Caledonia New York, and put on a comedy show, which will benefit the Totsie Cook/Dan Coyle Scholarship fund. Last year we had a fantastic show, at the Caledonia Country Club, it was a sell out, and we had to turn people away at the door. Totsie and I were good friends, both from the Cal Mum Class of 75. Last year was a tough year to be putting on the show, as we lost another classmate Dan Coyle in a tragic accident. We not only dedicated the sow to Totsie and Dan, but also another class of 75 classmate, Jerry Forsyth, who we also lost too soon. It seemed very healing, to get together and remember, and spend time together and laugh too. This year we have moved the show to Jones Hall, so we should be able to pack in 350 plus. I am very happy, that this I can bring back with me, Mike Marino, this guy starred in a lot of national commercials, he's done sketch comedy for Jay Leno for 15 plus years, and has been a national headlining touring comedian for many years. Last year he really made the show fantastic. I hope everyone who can from Caledonia, can come to this show.. Gail Milner, had pulled out all the stops to make this show as good as it can get,, we have tables, food and drink. She is opening the doors at 6pm, so folks can mingle, talk and eat. Please buy your tickets early, we want everyone to get a ticket, and we want to tally our total for the charity ahead of time, so we can give the big check on the night of the show, along with the real check. Please buy your tickets on line at the web site, or call Loree Harrington, or my Dad, who has tickets, and Gail at Jones Hall.

September 17 show Caledonia, NY

It's getting close, September 17, Friday night, this is going to be a special show at Jones Hall, 366 Leicester street, Caledonia, NY. All the proceeds are going to an organization, "The American Federation of Police and Concerned Citizens". When I was looking for a charity to do our show, in honor of my friend, fallen Livingston County Sheriff's Deputy Jim Chiverton, I was contacted by his son Jason, who referred me to this organization, that gave Jim's sons thousands of dollars in scholarships. Thats all Mike and I needed to hear, to make this our charity. Last year at the Caledonia Country Club show,, I was really moved, when I was face to face with many of my former deputy partners from Livingston County who came to the show. I have nothing but fond fond memories of my five years with the Livingston County Sheriff's Department ! This year with this show being dedicated in honor of Jim, I hope to see and spend some time with many of my old friends.. Please come and support this show. Retired Deputy, and photographer Larry Tetamore will be at the show taking photos for anyone to purchase later, his son Mike will be opening the show, with some of his own comedy. We have national headliner Mike Marino coming to the show, this is amazing!!! please google Mike Marino comedian, and check him out, he is one of the best in the world!!!