JODY LEE
(If our goal here is to profile the funniest people in the Hudson Valley, then who better to start out with than the winner of WPDH's "Funniest Person in the Hudson Valley Competition" for 2013. Jody Lee has exploded onto the scene in a very short period of time and already has a lot of people talking. Let's get to know a little more about this year's FPHV)
NAME: Jody Lee
HOMETOWN: Highland, N.Y. but I've lived in Arizona, Pennsylvania, Colorado. California, New Mexico, North Carolina and Ohio. No, I wasn't on the lamb. Lambs are not very fast and it would've taken forever to go to all those places.
BIRTHPLACE: Findley, Ohio - Home of Goodyear Tires. You'd think with all that rubber around I wouldn't have happened, but it was the 70's, so....
STARTED COMEDY: HA! This is probably the most interesting thing about anyone wanting to interview me! My first open mic was on November 24th, 2012 at Bananas in Poughkeepsie. When I entered the WPDH competition it was only my 3rd time on stage, and I was lucky enough to tie with Julie Novak, who was amazing! I really didn't think I stood a chance!
COMEDY HEROES: First, definitely Eddie Murphy! When I was about 10 I got hold of his stand up on cassette and my cousins and I listened to them over and over again until we had it memorized. I also have tremendous love for George Carlin, Bill Cosby, Louie CK and Joe Rogan, but if it hadn't been for the positive words of Joey "CoCo" Diaz and his podcast "The Church of What's Happening Now", I would have never gotten up the balls to even try stand up, so he is extra special to me. He is the comedian I'd most like to hug.
I TOO BELIEVE JOEY "COCO" DIAZ IS HIGHLY INFLUENTUAL AND UNDERRATED... YOU AND I MET AT THE BARDAVON'S SERIOUS LAUGHS ARTS & COMEDY FESTIVAL. WHAT DID YOU TAKE AWAY FROM THE EXPERIENCE?
A check! HAHAHA! I also met Patrick Carlin, who is an exceptionally awesome guy and got to see a bunch of my new comedy friends, so it was a great experience. It would have been nice if the venue and crowd were more ready for a comedy show, but I had a great time and hopefully made a few people laugh, which is why I do this in the first place.
A FUN TIME WAS HAD BY ALL... WELL ALMOST ALL...RICH SHULTIS WAS DISMISSED FROM THE REMAINDER OF THE FESTIVAL FOR DELIVERING OFFENSIVE MATERIAL AND CREATING A HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT WITH THE AUDIENCE. I KNOW YOU ARE ACQUAINTED WITH RICH. ANY THOUGHTS ON THAT DECISION?
I've met Rich and he was a really nice guy to me, so I felt bad he was kicked off. I wasn't at the event, so I don't want to talk out my ass, but based on what I heard when he was on the WPDH morning show on the 29th I think a bunch of factors came into play. First, he arrived late, and that tends to piss people off! It is the responsibility of the performer to get to the show on time. I would imagine it's harder to pull off more "sensitive" material to people who are already angry and it ruins it for everyone involved. However, I've seen him perform before and didn't think it was any more offensive than most other comics I've seen. I don't think any comedian should be censored. The whole point of comedy is to talk about things that people don't normally get to discuss in their daily lives in a humorous light! If what the comedian is talking about offends you, you can get up and leave! If enough people feel the same way and don't laugh or leave the comedian will eventually ditch that bit. Making a spectacle isn't going to fix the world or change anything. Second, I think it's common courtesy as a comedian that if you know you have a bit that is similar to one that the headline comic does you should discuss it with them first, and if you can't, don't use it! Overall, the most important thing is I really hope is that the whole debacle doesn't prevent the Bardavon and UPAC from doing it again next year. This was a really good opportunity for us local comedians to get the word out that comedy is alive and doing well here in the Hudson Valley! I also hope everyone realizes that this was their first time trying to put something like this together, so there is a learning curve. If they do it again, and I hope they do, lighting, sound and making sure that restaurant patrons are made keenly aware of the fact that a comedy show is taking place would make a huge difference for everyone involved. Either way, I had a great time and it was a privilege to be there!
YOU HAVE MORE OR LESS STARTED YOUR COMEDY CAREER RIGHT HERE IN THE HUDSON VALLEY. DO YOU FEEL THAT MAKES THINGS EASIER OR HARDER THAN STARTING IN A BIGGER CITY LIKE NEW YORK OR LA?
Commuting to all the shows can be a bummer, especially with gas prices sucking, but I think we're fortunate enough to have our little stomping ground here as well as New York City close by. I hear there's also a lot going on in New Jersey, too. L.A. has waaay nicer weather, but they're a bunch of weirdos!
YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE GIVES SOME INTERESTING INFO ON YOU. FOR EXAMPLE, ARE YOU REALLY A JEDI?
Nah, more of a Padawan at this point.
WELL THANKS FOR CLEARING THAT ONE UP.
YOU RECENTLY WON THE WPDH FPHV COMPETITION FINALS AT JESTER'S COMEDY CLUB IN CHESTER. BUT ON AT LEAST 2 OCCASIONS, YOU TOLD ME THAT OYU COULD JUST AS EASILY HAVE BEEN CALLED THE "LUCKIEST" PERSON IN THE HUDSON VALLEY. WHAT DID YOU MEAN BY THAT?
The title "Funniest Person in the Hudson Valley" drives me nuts! I don't believe anyone can hold that title! I'm way more comfortable with Coop's Comedy Search winner! If I have a bad night or my new material sucks people walk away thinking, "THAT'S the funniest person in the Hudson Valley? We need to move!" I was lucky in that I finally got the nerve to try, have wonderful family and friends who supported me and that the people at the shows enjoyed what I did. Comedy is subjective. What one person thinks is funny another person might think is crap, so luck has a lot to do with it. I am very lucky and grateful! Especially grateful that Coop and Robyn put together the comedy search. Otherwise, a lot of this wouldn't have happened.
WHAT ARE YOUR OVERALL FEELINGS ON THE COMEDY SCENE IN THE HUDSON VALLEY RIGHT NOW?
The comedy scene in the Hudson Valley is amazing! I had no idea how many talented, hilarious people are here! I really wish more people and venues would acknowledge it. It's a really fun night out and unlike going to see a movie you get to have beers!
WHERE CAN PEOPLE GO TO FIND MORE INFORMATION ON YOU?
I'm on facebook as Jody Lee and my email address is jodylee4u@gmail.com. No website yet but hopefully soon!
WELL THERE YOU HAVE IT. AN INSTANT SUCCESS BUT STILL HUMBLE ENOUGH NOT TO LET HER MONTH OR SO OF SUCCESS GO TO HER HEAD. THAT'S A NICE THING TO SEE.
A check! HAHAHA! I also met Patrick Carlin, who is an exceptionally awesome guy and got to see a bunch of my new comedy friends, so it was a great experience. It would have been nice if the venue and crowd were more ready for a comedy show, but I had a great time and hopefully made a few people laugh, which is why I do this in the first place.
A FUN TIME WAS HAD BY ALL... WELL ALMOST ALL...RICH SHULTIS WAS DISMISSED FROM THE REMAINDER OF THE FESTIVAL FOR DELIVERING OFFENSIVE MATERIAL AND CREATING A HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT WITH THE AUDIENCE. I KNOW YOU ARE ACQUAINTED WITH RICH. ANY THOUGHTS ON THAT DECISION?
I've met Rich and he was a really nice guy to me, so I felt bad he was kicked off. I wasn't at the event, so I don't want to talk out my ass, but based on what I heard when he was on the WPDH morning show on the 29th I think a bunch of factors came into play. First, he arrived late, and that tends to piss people off! It is the responsibility of the performer to get to the show on time. I would imagine it's harder to pull off more "sensitive" material to people who are already angry and it ruins it for everyone involved. However, I've seen him perform before and didn't think it was any more offensive than most other comics I've seen. I don't think any comedian should be censored. The whole point of comedy is to talk about things that people don't normally get to discuss in their daily lives in a humorous light! If what the comedian is talking about offends you, you can get up and leave! If enough people feel the same way and don't laugh or leave the comedian will eventually ditch that bit. Making a spectacle isn't going to fix the world or change anything. Second, I think it's common courtesy as a comedian that if you know you have a bit that is similar to one that the headline comic does you should discuss it with them first, and if you can't, don't use it! Overall, the most important thing is I really hope is that the whole debacle doesn't prevent the Bardavon and UPAC from doing it again next year. This was a really good opportunity for us local comedians to get the word out that comedy is alive and doing well here in the Hudson Valley! I also hope everyone realizes that this was their first time trying to put something like this together, so there is a learning curve. If they do it again, and I hope they do, lighting, sound and making sure that restaurant patrons are made keenly aware of the fact that a comedy show is taking place would make a huge difference for everyone involved. Either way, I had a great time and it was a privilege to be there!
YOU HAVE MORE OR LESS STARTED YOUR COMEDY CAREER RIGHT HERE IN THE HUDSON VALLEY. DO YOU FEEL THAT MAKES THINGS EASIER OR HARDER THAN STARTING IN A BIGGER CITY LIKE NEW YORK OR LA?
Commuting to all the shows can be a bummer, especially with gas prices sucking, but I think we're fortunate enough to have our little stomping ground here as well as New York City close by. I hear there's also a lot going on in New Jersey, too. L.A. has waaay nicer weather, but they're a bunch of weirdos!
YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE GIVES SOME INTERESTING INFO ON YOU. FOR EXAMPLE, ARE YOU REALLY A JEDI?
Nah, more of a Padawan at this point.
WELL THANKS FOR CLEARING THAT ONE UP.
YOU RECENTLY WON THE WPDH FPHV COMPETITION FINALS AT JESTER'S COMEDY CLUB IN CHESTER. BUT ON AT LEAST 2 OCCASIONS, YOU TOLD ME THAT OYU COULD JUST AS EASILY HAVE BEEN CALLED THE "LUCKIEST" PERSON IN THE HUDSON VALLEY. WHAT DID YOU MEAN BY THAT?
The title "Funniest Person in the Hudson Valley" drives me nuts! I don't believe anyone can hold that title! I'm way more comfortable with Coop's Comedy Search winner! If I have a bad night or my new material sucks people walk away thinking, "THAT'S the funniest person in the Hudson Valley? We need to move!" I was lucky in that I finally got the nerve to try, have wonderful family and friends who supported me and that the people at the shows enjoyed what I did. Comedy is subjective. What one person thinks is funny another person might think is crap, so luck has a lot to do with it. I am very lucky and grateful! Especially grateful that Coop and Robyn put together the comedy search. Otherwise, a lot of this wouldn't have happened.
WHAT ARE YOUR OVERALL FEELINGS ON THE COMEDY SCENE IN THE HUDSON VALLEY RIGHT NOW?
The comedy scene in the Hudson Valley is amazing! I had no idea how many talented, hilarious people are here! I really wish more people and venues would acknowledge it. It's a really fun night out and unlike going to see a movie you get to have beers!
WHERE CAN PEOPLE GO TO FIND MORE INFORMATION ON YOU?
I'm on facebook as Jody Lee and my email address is jodylee4u@gmail.com. No website yet but hopefully soon!
WELL THERE YOU HAVE IT. AN INSTANT SUCCESS BUT STILL HUMBLE ENOUGH NOT TO LET HER MONTH OR SO OF SUCCESS GO TO HER HEAD. THAT'S A NICE THING TO SEE.
So that ends our first Comic Profile of Jody Lee. Keep en eye out for her on upcoming shows. I know I will.
Also, feel free to post some comments on the format, content, local people you want to see profiled and also maybe your opinions on whether or not this WOULD work as a podcast (as is my hope). Until next time, here's wishing you all positivity and hilarity at every turn- STEVE
