I realize that I haven't posted anything in quite a while. I have been wrapped up with the H.V. Funny Podcast (which got it's start here) and various shows in the area. You can check out all that info at http:\\www.hvfunny.com and I suggest that everyone do so. Unfortunately something happened at a comedy show the other night that really aggravated me. This seemed like the forum to let it out.
I have turned a funny idea that my co-host Ian Lazarus had, the idea of being H.V. Positive, into a bit of a catchphrase and even a t-shirt idea. I devote a large portion of my local sets to being a comic from the Hudson Valley area and trying to inspire a little pride in the comedy scene locally. I have realized recently that there is a particular group that could certainly use a good dose of H.V. POSITIVITY. I'm talking, of course, about NYC comics.
This past weekend I attended a comedy competition at a local club. I went to support some friends and possibly scout out some new talent for the podcast and/or live shows. Mainly, my goal was to continue to spread the word about what I have been doing to try to promote the local comedy scene ad support the newer local talent. It became clear that the people in charge of the show were a little disorganized. The host had no idea how the judging was going to take place. There was no comic slated to go first (big surprise, no one volunteered). They had no idea how long the show was going to last but knew for sure the room was to be completely cleared out by 8:15 so they could set up for the national headliner who was doing the 9PM show.
I spent the time before the show glad-handing some of the comics I knew and introducing myself to some of the comics I didn't. I also introduced myself to the people running the room. I was pleased to find that many had heard both of me and of the H.V. Funny Podcast. Having the #1 internet comedy show in the Hudson Valley has its perks I guess. I listened to some of their experiences at local clubs and advised a couple of them about other things going on in the area (and of course handed out some business cards).
I realized that the show was going to be a bit of a mess since no one really wanted to take charge. I recommended they do a "panel of experts" judging style. I also asked around to find out who was going to light the comics and related that information to the comics who had asked. The judges they had decided upon were the girlfriend of the host (who had never evaluated a comedy competition before) and the headlining talent for the show. The headliner was an up-and-coming young female comic from NYC who told the booker she was flexible for any time they needed up to 45 minutes. I am omitting her name since I don't have her side of the story. We'll just call her JOAN...
So the show begins amidst a bit of confusion. The comics themselves are unaware of neither how they are being evaluated nor even WHO is evaluating them. I tried to remain impartial by hanging back near JOAN and the other judge. At a few points before the show, I made some suggestions to the judges about how to proceed (again since no one else had any ideas). I will agree that this was a little presumptuous of a guy that had no real affiliation with the club aside from several plugs on the show and some conversations with the bookers themselves. But I have helped to organize enough shows that I know what questions to ask and who has the answers. I took a bit of pride in being able to lend a hand on the show-running end at such a large and respected venue.
The host announced before the 2nd comic hit the stage that there were 3 judges evaluating the performance of each comic and motioned to the ladies seated together at a table and myself standing behind them. I'm not really sure they were counting me amongst the judges but I also was under the impression that my opinion couldn't hurt. After the 2nd comic got off stage, I leaned forward to comment on his stage presence. This is the interchange that followed:
ME: Hey. I thought the way he held the mic was kind of...
JOAN: (turns to me quickly) I'm sorry... Exactly WHO are you again?
ME: Oh, Sorry. I'm Steve Rifenburg. I'm a local....
JOAN: Ok are you, like, one of the judges or something?
ME: Well, I guess I am. I don't really....
JOAN: 'Cause I'm really just trying to concentrate here. Thanks.(turns again violently)
I apologized and took several steps back toward the wall. I was confused and actually scared. Everyone has been in this position at least once. You have that uncomfortable interchange with someone and can't just walk away or you risk making a bad situation worse. I waited a few sets and then slowly made my way out the back door. I was humiliated. I played it over multiple times in my head. Was she just having a really bad day? Did she think I was some kind of creep trying to hit on her? I mean I did mention my girlfriend and my son before... Was she just put off by some nobody trying to tell her how to do her job? Maybe that was it....
I don't know exactly what the reason for her curt response was. All I know is how I felt.... like dirt. I have been fortunate enough to become a bit of a name that people recognize in the local comedy scene thanks to the success of the podcast and some very supportive friends. I never imagined that people from as far away as Albany and northern NJ would want to be a part of what I was doing, but they have contacted me and asked to either be guests or for their shows to be mentioned. I have been fortunate enough to have no one in the comedy community treat me like that in a long time. Then I realized the difference. She was a CITY comic. She came up from NYC for a few hours to earn $100 bucks or so and was about to hop in the car as soon as the show was over to beat a hasty retreat. (As it turned out, she DID stay around, but just long enough to watch the 9PM national headliner's show for free before taking off). It was pretty clear that if she could have been anywhere in the world other than Poughkeepsie, she would have.
I have learned that NYC comics doing shows in our area come in 2 types:
The first is the type that LOVES the chance to finally get out of the city and make some real money. They feel that the audiences up here are ready to laugh and spend their hard earned money on a comedy show and these comics are more than happy to provide that for them. They see the chance to come up here as a privilege and sometimes even as a RELIEF from the competition, cynicism and exploitation of the NYC scene. These comics really enjoy their Hudson Valley shows.
The second type is not nearly as happy to be here. They have left the Mecca of the stand-up world and entered hillbilly hell! They are put off and sometimes creeped out by performing in bowling alleys, VFW halls and backwoods bars. They are nervous about an audience wearing NASCAR jackets and drinking cheap beer. They look over the full room and lament the fact that their careers have led them HERE... to the sticks of "upstate" NY. They will do the set, collect their pay and get back onto the Thruway or Taconic as fast as possible. They don't want to be here, but it's money....
I have worked with both types of comic in my time. I have seen comics that have gotten off stage and stood around talking to local comedy fans for HOURS after the show got out. I have also seen comics that insisted on getting paid before their spot, then walked off stage and into the parking lot to their cars. I don't really understand the second type, but then I am a little biased.
I will agree that next to Las Vegas and L.A., New York is the headquarters of the stand-up scene. Many of the great comics working today come from the NYC area and many young comics from around the country (even the world) wish to make the journey to NYC "where the magic happens" to make a name for themselves. You can't turn a corner in Manhattan without seeing some poster for an open mic or small bar with its own showcase show somewhere. The Big Apple is full of talented people trying to reach the next level. But, when last I checked, no comic ever became a nationally known headliner without leaving the 5 Burroughs. NYC may be where comedy lives, but the outlying areas are what makes or breaks a comic.
A talented comic with 20-60 minutes of good stage time can find gigs around the Hudson Valley and experience what it's like to do a one-nighter in "fly-over country" without leaving the tri-state area. They can go up in front of rednecks, drunkards and the completely socially un-hip and get paid a pretty penny for doing so. Comics can expand their fan base while earning some stripes and making good connections along the way. All they need to do is bend a bit.
In conclusion, I want to tell my friends in the comedy community that real stand-up lives and breathes not only at Carolines and the Comedy Cellar, but also at the Fishkill Bowl, Characters Bar in Sloatsburg and the Northern Dutchess Rod & Gun Club. You should be H.V. Positive as well! Respect the people who have paid money to see you and want to be entertained. They appreciate you for coming. Do you appreciate them for being there?
And lastly, to JOAN... I'm sorry I made you uncomfortable.
Subscribe to the H.V. Funny Podcast and like H.V. Funny on Facebook. Hope to see you all on the comedy scene very soon! + & X-D -STEVE
