Baltimore Independent Togetherness Comedy Horde

Your's Truly, Selling out or Buying in?

2009-08-23T18:37:00.001-07:00

Come out to support me. I will use this a spring board to launch our revolution.

Wait 'til I Get Back

2009-08-15T10:13:00.000-07:00

I'm gonna blow this shit up with my man Justin Jones, the oh-gee. When I return to Baltimore from the beach, my head will be cleared of the nonsense that goes with this domesticated, mundane existence. Once among the flock again I will reek my havoc and disseminate my message of subversion through comedy. The seed of cynicism will take root, and the citizenry will seek out a haven of dissent.

Well, at least we'll have a few laughs, unfortunately it has become clear that democracy is a spectator sport and we are in the nosebleeds. But, this plan will be executed. In lieu of my former one to volunteer at established establishments I will lend my efforts to my new found love: live local comedy. The goal to unite those on the fringe of the budding indie comedy scene (forgive any inferred pretentiousness) was the brainchild of Kevin Hall, devised shortly after the formation of the now infamous 'Screwball Outlaws' faction. Fun fact: the original proposed name of our show was 'So You Think You're Funny?,' an invitation and challenge to those on the cusp of picking up the mic and relating their comedic message.

One of my primary goals as the legatee of Screwballs (our abbreviation) is to battle the monotony of the average night out. There is quite a limited audience for stand-up in this town, which is notorious for tough crowds when there is one. We will amass an audience; somehow, this must be done. My other goal is in the more selfish realm, creating opportunity to actually perform (the only true form of practice in the discipline of stand-up). I would also like to contribute to the view of comedy as an art form in the truest sense of the word by demonstrating the efforts of the true artists that work tirelessly to figure out what makes an audience laugh, especially those who do so without lowering their ideology to that of the typical American television zombie. The more discerning proletariat (growing more or less apathetic with each blow to justice), which is coagulating in the metropolitan area, is the proposed target following.

Get on board, or miss the fucking train.

John out.

P.S. Please do not be discouraged with the cancellation of last night's show, it was a minor speed bump on the tracks of this unstoppable caravan. The wind in my sails suffered, but the breeze will pick again! Ha-ha.

I Don't Get It

2009-08-09T09:39:00.000-07:00

So what's the deal with all the rape jokes? From my own experience over half of local comics have some shtick on the subject, which to me seems a bit taboo (to say the least). It can get fairly awkward; you're there, in the bar, having a good time with some friends, half paying attention to the comic- half up your friends butt. And then over the mirth filled atmosphere comes the r-word like a wasp to sting your sensibilities. It's one thing to mention rape in a less concrete, more analogous, passing form ("Bush really raped the shit out of the planet"), which is still at least somewhat abhorrent, but to write a joke expressly on the subject, perhaps with a hypothetical comedic scene is just... less than savory.

I am not saying that we should ignore the fact of rape, an unfortunate impossibility, but rather delineate between what's in the realm of humor and what doesn't make the cut.

An interesting case study on the subject, based on my own experience, that exemplifies why one should not push this envelope:

A comedian is doing stand up. He is cocky and offensive (part of his shtick). Thinks he's a real hard-ass/ pseudo-intellectual type. Good Will Hunting meets Eminem. He tells an intricate, almost clever rape joke. Mild laughter from isolated part of audience. The comedian then begins to dispel some half-formed logic to the effect of if you don't laugh at a rape joke you are a closet rapist. And while this logic may be nearly infallible, I for one am an exception to this rule (I hope). During this accosting of the audience he poses the question, "Why wouldn't you laugh at that? Why?" To which a member of the audience, a quiet, attentive and seemingly timid young lady replied, "If you've been raped."

Booya!

The comedian hesitates. He blinks thoughtfully and looks at his feet. A realisation has taken place. How will he dig himself out of his rape hole (no pun intended)? He begins to offer a less than half-hearted apology about the evils of the world, saying something close to, "I'm sorry that happened to you," or "I'm sorry." All the while the crickets are beginning to chirp guiltily.

I stepped in and said, "That's okay man, it's cool." Big laugh. The comedian swiftly moves away from the debacle. Onto his suicide shtik. WTF? I don't know.

Hello BITCHES

2009-08-06T07:13:00.000-07:00

Kevin Hall is leaving. The "bad boy" of the Baltimore indie comedy scene is set to begin rambling within a month or two. As much as we hold on to the hope of Screwball Outlaws' prosperity, the truth is that his absence leaves... an absence.

This is a call to those wits, jokers, comics, clowns, comedians, etc., that want to see change in the scene of local comedy. I, for one, am willing to volunteer my time and energy by helping to reshape the landscape into one where we are freer to go out and perform on a regular basis. Not for money. For fun. For notoriety. For attention. For love, and the occasional beer or shot offered by our adoring public.

My plan is simple: I would like to initiate (personally) two more monthly shows at trendy locales (to be determined) likened to the Kitty Kat format (open mic) in order to raise interest on the subject and speculation into our motif.

Who is with me?
We need comedians, MC's and audience members.