baratunde.com - Latest Comments in My Worst Night as a Standup Comic

Re: My Worst Night as a Standup Comic

Eric Henley — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 13:18:37 -0000

I am African-American and have been doing stand-up locally in Orlando for several years. Just like you I've decided to stay away from "that" type of comedy. I try and talk about non-stereotypical and non-hack topics that appeal to me and topics that are mostly unique to me, although in this day and age it's hard to be 100% original. I normally do open-mic's at the imrov in Orlando on what is called "college night". Comedians from all different ethnic groups perform. I had been approached for several weeks by the manager who had been trying to get me to perform on another night which is called "apollo night". I said no because I knew the audience wouldn't appreciate me. I eventually gave in and did it. And just as I had suspected, the material that brought me lots of laughs on "college night" brought me stares of bewilderment from the "apollo night" crowd. I felt sad for my people because I felt they did not want to think, they only wanted to be insulted. I know that there are African-Americans out there who appreciate my material, I see them on "college night". I have learned to listen to myself and to not compromise. After reading your blog I feel much better about what I am doing and the path that I'm on. Good luck in the future.

Re: My Worst Night as a Standup Comic

Mawi — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 17:07:59 -0000

Tunde - thanks for being honest about this - as a presenter, I know that's not easy.

Mad respect...keep going strong - I'm waiting for you to blow it up Jon Stewart stye - and i do believe that your talent will not be kept down...keep fighting.

Re: My Worst Night as a Standup Comic

Baron Vaughn — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 18:16:28 -0000

there are two kinds of audiences. those who want to be challenged and those who want to be confirmed. guess which one is bigger.

i've died in front of black audiences. Go figure. they don't seem to want to hear jokes about iPods, Pasteurization, and Roman Emperors. I think the line where you said its like being kicked out by your family really spoke to me. Cuz I HATE the black audience. But I love black people. And that's who I want to enterain. I shouldn't say i HATE them. i should say i haven't been given a reason to LOVE them.

Our existence, our need to change the perception of black comedy challenges this audience's idea of what it means to be black in the first place. A sort of "you think you're better than me?" resentment comes out. We're not what they know so they are angered by us. They choose to hold on to what they know instead of see it evolve.

however, this has happened to me. I'll die in front of an all black audience, but then take 5 or 6 people out of that crowd, put them in a more integrated comedy experience (Black, white, latin, asian, straight, gay) and those SAME PEOPLE come up to me after the show and say "thank the LORD you are doing something different!"

right now, to me, the comedy scene in this country is a gigantic city built atop shallow ground. i think its about to cave in on itself. who will survive? tune in next week - same BAT time, same BAT channel

Just like the stand up = sitcom paradigm is dead (hence the industry note "do autobiographical material" so that way your act lends itself to a TV show), the definition of black comedy is dying. holding on by a thread. That's what it means when Elon says he keeps hearing stories like this from black comedians. We're growing in number. We just have to buckle in tighter.

Re: My Worst Night as a Standup Comic

Elon James White — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 17:50:21 -0000

Dude.

I completely understand. I posted a while back on my blog (http://elonjames.blogspot.c... about a situation like that. But the fact is I'm hearing more and more stories about black comics dealing with this meaning that theres change in the air. When theres enough comics that refuse to conform to what people consider "Black comedy" then it will eventually cease to exist.

Re: My Worst Night as a Standup Comic

Elon James White — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 17:48:58 -0000

Dude.

Re: My Worst Night as a Standup Comic

Deb Farrar-Parkman — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 13:53:49 -0000

Baratunde,

It was indeed brave and inspiring of you to share that experience. We have all had them. Some of us have chosen not to share them in the light of day.

While I didn't get booed at an "Urban" comedy show in Vegas, I clearly didn't fit in with the gay-bashing and blatant sexual fare that was taking place that night (it was basically young guys and me, one woman). So the audience was very cool as they were with a brother from Oakland who had some pretty smart, political stuff. They laughed at him on an OJ joke (but doesn't everybody).

I think you're right. It's uphill from here and it should also make you respect your material, who you are and what you do even more. If the audience chooses not to come along for the ride so be it. As long as you remain true to yourself.

Keep it correct, Mr. Thurston!

Re: My Worst Night as a Standup Comic

Baratunde Thurston — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 04:10:39 -0000

@erin. you would know about N. Texas huh, Ms. Plano?? thx.

@Jank. no JANK you!

@thequestionmarkguy. you've been doing this for a minute! love the tagline "ethnic humor without the racial stereotypes" perfect!

i know a bunch of black folks who don't do black clubs anymore because of the combat feel. I know white comics who don't do ANY clubs anymore as a matter of fact. but back to the black...

there are so many parallels between the stereotype of black comedy and the stereotype of hip hop. The stuff that's been made popular doesn't reflect the spectrum of black thought and experience, and often it's black folk who promote that.

I must say, I had an opposite experience with my Def Jam audition, and that was a young, club-going type audience. The Bay Area Black comedy fest was cool too, and I saw people make "ghetto" material funny in some brand new ways. Keep a look out for Gina Yashere, yall!

ok. I should go to bed. thanks everyone for your comments. Keep em coming.

Re: My Worst Night as a Standup Comic

Eric Kirkland — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 03:47:54 -0000

I feel your pain. I'm also a black comic and won't work the black clubs anymore.

The black clubs have turned into combat comedy. The audiences have been trained not to come out with an attitude of, "Hey, let's have a good time tonight!"

Instead it's and attitude of "This Motherf**ker better be funny!"

You sound like you may be like me. I grew up middle class, my parents were married and both worked, we were never on welfare, didn't have roaches, my dad didn't beat me mom, etc, etc.. It's a shame that in some peoples eyes if you aren't doing 'ghetto' jokes then you aren't a black comic.

Re: My Worst Night as a Standup Comic

erin — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 02:40:26 -0000

That...really blows. I'm sorry you had to deal with that, with the equipment problem and everything else. You got good stuff to say, and you're amazing. In the grand scheme of all your talent, dedication, and brilliance, a bunch of bullies in North Texas don't mean shit. Trust me.

Re: My Worst Night as a Standup Comic

JANK — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 01:08:43 -0000

It is great that you wrote this editorial. What would be even greater if we could work together more to try to make the no-going black community about comedy clubs. There seems to be a lack of appreciation of the art of stand-up comedy from a large group of black people. It as if they immediately believe that if you're not this, then you're not funny. I've seen it with white southern crowds also, but blacks primarily, especially young blacks. It is just a true disconnect. May'be it is because of the oratorical skill of a large amount of black people (we are a spoken people primarily, even though the first book was found to be from Egypt). We must keep grinding to push the box that are people believe can't be opened. Thanks for posting and even more thnaks for reading this. Jank You Much. Based out of MEMPHIS.

Re: My Worst Night as a Standup Comic

Baratunde — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 17:45:48 -0000

thanks tim and ralph.

tim, i think you're right about the tape change. 3 mins is nothing, and with a tape change it's less than nothing.

Re: My Worst Night as a Standup Comic

Ralph Tetta — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 03:23:47 -0000

My friend,

I read your blog with much interest. I'm a standup comic of European descent (Italian), and my wife is mixed race. I'm familiar with the "black audience blues" that many black performers have related to me in the past, and I'm glad that you wrote this entry...it puts a face on the problem.

Keep doing what you're doing...you seem genuine and very funny. Don't sell out (I don't think you would) or cheapen yourself by stooping to the level of the rabble. The right people will get you, and maybe you can raise the expectations of others by sticking to your guns. Def Jam didn't poison the well for black comics in one day, so it's going to take more time to repair the damage.

Peace,
Ralph

Re: My Worst Night as a Standup Comic

Timmy Mac — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 21:07:54 -0000

First of all, it takes real guts to post this, and major kudos to you.

Second of all, I'm sorry you had to go through this. On the plus side, I promise you it will make you a better comic. You will have your revenge.

Third, my gut call is that the tape change fucked you more than anything. Maybe 70/30 tape change/allright crew. I've seen it happen to so many acts...you hit stage, and something's wrong with the mike. Dead in the water. If you have 30, you can get them back. 3? You're a dead man walking.

Now I'm just rambling because I'm hiding from my kids with a six pack of beer.