Episode 8
This Week in Comedy #8 with Jordan Brady and Greg Fitzsimmons
Sundays at 6pm PDT
This week’s guests on This Week in Comedy were director Jordan Brady (“I Am Comic”) and comedian/podcaster Greg Fitzsimmons.
“I Am Comic”: World Wide Internet
In the cold open, Ed reminded us all that Comedy is for Closers.
Introduction
At the show’s opening, Ed apologized for the cold open and yelled…for some reason. He also told a story about a recent experience at the zoo that included some lion-themed puns, which as we all know are the best kind.
Erich Brenn “plate spinning” on Ed Sullivan
Comedy News with Julie Mitchell
Chris Hardwick is appearing at Caroline’s in New York City
Also, our own Julie Mitchell is doing stand-up at Ye Old King’s Head in Santa Monica on Thursday night! Ed gave her some tips on what to do if you throw up during your act, and how to perfect your best “funny look.”
Interview with Jordan Brady
We opened with some clips from the documentary “I Am Comic”:
“I Am Comic”: Louis C.K. Hates Hecklers
Jordan talked about the inspiration behind making “I Am Comic.” It all started with him ripping off Wayne Federman jokes at comedy clubs in the Valley to get free ravioli.
Wayne Federman: Electric Ukulele
(Jordan later complained that Federman appeared on Kevin Pollak’s Chat Show, but spent the whole time talking Ukuleles and didn’t remember to plug the movie.
He started talking to people about his experiences on the road as a touring comic. People were so interested in hearing his stories, he decided to turn them into a documentary. (The movie was also inspired by the book “I Killed: True Stories of the Road from America’s Top Comics” by Ritch Shydner.
Classic Ritch Shydner stand-up
So the film includes a lot of insider-y discussions about the world of comedy that you don’t see, from the “Comedy Condo” where comedians stay on the road to the “hell gigs” that make comedians question their career path.
Jordan couldn’t pull clips off of his DVD of the film, so he drew some artist’s interpretations of what the clips might have looked like to show off to the camera. It also included some fantasy sequences involving a masturbating rat. These will go into the eventual “I Am Comic” coffee table book.
Jordan also used “Comedy Evaluator Pro” software to evaluate the audience’s response to Ritch Shydner’s material during the film. Comedians hate it. Ed says he prefers iFunny, which Auto-Tunes jokes to make them more amusing.
Ed and Jordan also discussed the early titles for the film, including “Occupation: Stand-Up,” “Stand-Up Sucks,” “Real Funny People” and “Addicted.” Jordan’s working on the sequel as well, “We Be Comics,” which will feature minority comedians.
“I Am Comic” comes out on DVD on October 12th.
LINKS
Jordan Brady on IMDb
Jordan Brady on Funny or Die
I Am Comic official site
Interview with Greg Fitzsimmons
Adam Carolla Podcast – Greg Fitzsimmons
Greg was delighted to have heard all about a documentary that includes every single working comedian other than himself. He said he wanted to watch the film, but it makes him feel insecure to not be in it, and he’s afraid he wouldn’t be able to sleep afterwards. He believes competitiveness is what keeps him going in the business.
Greg reminisced about his early career, when he wasn’t worried about how many laughs he was getting but focused just on connecting with the crowd. (He conceded that most of his early material was about “fat chicks and drinking.”) He credits going on Howard Stern with getting him to open up and be more honest and raw with his material. Greg has been in therapy for as long as he’s been doing comedy.
Greg talked about what he looks for in comedy, which is more about compelling personalities than strong material. He cited Todd Glass as a guy who he thinks does lame, tired material but who is so watchable, he’s a great comic despite everything.
Todd Glass going off on a heckler
Ed and Greg also talked about the difference between being a host and a comic. Greg’s father was a radio host in New York City and he learned a lot from that experience. Greg’s favorite guests are really, deep-down, good people but who can occasionally visit what he calls “the Dark Side.” He cited Margaret Cho as a great guest who can work very dark, and Bob Saget and Kevin Nealon as such nice guys who don’t really have a dark side. (He sees the challenge of doing the interview as getting them to drop the niceness and get blue.)
Greg and Ed talked about Dane Cook and the controversy surrounding him. Greg was working on Louis CK’s show “Lucky Louie” when allegations came out that Cook was stealing Louis CK’s jokes. He feels that Dane Cook got a little disconnected from the comedy community because he got so popular so fast, but that Cook rebounded and handled the situation with a lot of character.
Dead Frog: Does Dane Cook steal from Louis CK?
Greg also talked about why “alternative comedy” doesn’t really work that well. Today’s alternative comics aren’t really that daring to him. He feels they have ironic “over it all” attitudes, unlike someone really out there on the edge, like the infamous Michael Portnoy (aka “Soy Bomb”) who interrupted Bob Dylan’s performance at the 1998 Grammy Awards.
He also admires comics who tour and go to small clubs and do stand-up for what he calls “the common person.” He cited David Cross as a guy who’s hilarious, but who also plays theaters and “preaches to the converted.”
Ed and Greg also discussed Bill Hicks and the nature of satire.
Greg said he admires Louis CK’s social media strategy – broadcasting his jokes to a large crowd but not following anyone back. He doesn’t really care to interact with fans through places like Twitter, but knows that this is what the public wants.
LINKS
Greg Fitzsimmons Official Site
Greg on Twitter (@GregFitzShow)
Greg on MySpace
