Rita Rudner: what happens in Vegas, probably involves watching her do her thing…and by ‘thing’, I mean telling jokes.

~ Wiberg

A few months ago while watching the nth episode of Premium Blend or some show that featured some forgettable comic trying his best to be cute or clever about child-rearing, technology or relationships (or all three, who knows), I was reminded that one of the first comics I took notice of was Rita Rudner – someone who was one of hundreds of comics to burst out in the 1980s via the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, but who stood apart from many others – in appearance and presentation (her one-liner style wasn’t new, but it seemed new and fresh the way she delivered the jokes in the sweetest of manners). And so what was she doing today? I decided to call her and say ‘Rita, what are you doing.’ But my cell phone’s battery was dead at the moment and I also didn’t have her phone number. But, off course a quick search revealed that Rita Rudner is performing gobs of shows in Las Vegas at Harrah’s. And also around the country – all this information can be found at her site, of course. The internet is like that sometimes.

Anyway, it felt good to do an internet search that wouldn’t raise any flags with local, state, or federal security, and to learn something of value – that one of America’s most witty comediennes (or comedian, or comic, or whatever) is still telling jokes. And, the other day I watched her most recent DVD, “Rita Rudner, Live From Las Vegas” – a title that might seem boring, but gets the job done and tells you what you’re gonna see. Her show is not some vaguely named  “Comedians of Comedy” or “Tourgasm” or any “[insert cultural or ethnic identity] of Comedy” – (btw, this is subject for another post – the segregation of comedy – last time I checked, comedy/humor was supposed to be universal, supposed to bring people together and laugh at one another, learn about one another through humor. Nowadays, everyone is so hell-bent on promoting their ‘group’ that it’s comedy group mentality and STOP!!!!!! this will be another post, for later).

Back to Rita Rudner – in today’s GTA:IV world, RR may seem old-fashioned, but buy/rent her stuff and you’ll find some incredibly sharp one-liners and jokes, just as good as anything out there. Please, watch these excerpts:

I watch her show and I think to myself, (to quote Rudner): What is it like in there?

hey, after you view ALL those Carlin clips on YouTube, read this:

~ Wiberg ~ 2 Comments

This interview took place earlier this month – an interview posted on Pyschology Today’s website –  read it if you’re interested in how now dead comedian George Carlin viewed himself, stand-up comedy, etc…very interesting.

and below, check out the clip of Carlin posted on youtube. Just kidding! You’ve probably seen ’em all anyway! Now, I encourage to read that interview.

UPDATE: I realized I should have mentioned that, of course, Carlin was a great comic and I really dug his stuff, especially the 1970s/1980s stuff.  Who is going to take the time post that they didnt? I guess some will. Anyhow, a very sharp comic who was fortunate to keep at it for so long. And, per George Carlin, please wait 6 weeks to scratch his name out of your address book (if you were so fortunate to have him in your book to call on).

More Random Thoughts! Comedy

~ Wiberg ~ 2 Comments

I had the good fortune of opening a show for two California comedians – Grant Lyon and Marc Yaffee in Atascadero at Player’s Restaurant last week. I know the internet and blogging is all about real time but excuse me for not being lightning fast on this – I was sick – but even if I wasn’t sick, it doesn’t mean I would have posted this any sooner. Anyway, it was a great show, and I did alright, despite not feeling well. This bit I did about editing a homeless sign to instill fear into passerby’s was a hit (ie., “family of 4” but scratch out 4 and write 3 – ha ha! isn’t homelessness funny!!!! I guess so).  Lyon and Yaffee were two I hadn’t seen or met before but both were very cool guys doing their stand-up comedy in very different styles.

Grant Lyon is younger, 23, and is silly and smart and will do just fine in the world of comedy or in whatever direction he goes into – he’s ambitious! Keep an eye on this guy!

And Yaffee – in his act he talks about looking like Richard Ramirez, the Night Stalker who plaged Los Angeles in the 1980s: that’s not easy to deal with – while others were looking for dates, I was just happy to have an alibi.

Not a direct quote but you get the idea. The dude looks dangerous but he’s been doing comedy for 10 years and he has that laid back, sharp wit. Very funny.

It reminds me of when I lived in L.A. and was immediately surprised by how many funny comedians there were (and, yes, equally unfunny people too) – but so many good comedians are out there – they’ll get their chance at some point, to either make it to television, movies, or continue in a more lowkey presence and tour the country or their particular state. A comedian doesn’t have to be on television to make a living – plenty of unknowns make $ touring colleges, corporations, etc…no guarantee you can do that forever as tastes change, but there’s no guarantee that any job will pay the bills forever. And getting on television isn’t the guarantee either – it may extend your comedy career a little but anything can happen.

So, if your town has a comedy club or you see they are doing comedy at a local coffee shop or bar, I encourage you to go. You may be surprised at just how good the comedians’ acts are.  Or, if they suck, that can be enjoyable too (it’s almost-good-but-still-bad comics that make it painful). Support your local live comedy and you will feel better about yourself and you will live longer and make more money and get to do all the things you ever wanted to do, like raise unicorns or climb mt everest or date claudia schiffer. Whatever you want to have happen will happen if you support live comedy. If it doesn’t, then it’s the fault of somebody else, probably the checkout girl at the grocery store or the dudes who work on your car – both of these people know what you eat, and how little you take care of your car – that is all they need to know about you to mess up your life.

Random Thoughts

~ Wiberg ~ 2 Comments

last week they said the “Meet the Press” show chair would be empty, in honor of Tim Russert’s unexpected passing.  That’s good cuz I would’ve been freaked out if they had placed his body in the chair and continued on like all was normal.  It’s what they do with Larry King on CNN each night.  The 4th branch of government (media) is so in love with itself that it is embarrassing.  And what does it say about politicians who treat the death of a journalist as though it was one of their own. Politicians (public servants) are elected by the people, and are supposed to be accountable to them; this being done usually through the reporting done by ‘objective’ journalists. But pols know they are protected by the bigger media, and whenever one of them dies, especially one who protected their asses, they grieve because there’s always the chance that the dead journalist will be replaced with a real reporter who will ask real questions and expose them as the power-hungry incompetents they really are.  All those Sunday morning talk shows are bullshit spin rooms selling soap and cars.  And television journalists are the least important and effective journalists working today.  There’s better reporting done in the PennySaver’s in each small town. When is the last time any on-air personality investigated anything other than child predators or Britney Spear’s legal battles.  I’m sorry Tim Russert’s dead – it sucks for his friends and family (believe me, I know – my own dad died suddenly of a heart attack – didn’t you catch the 72 hours of news coverage about it?  Neither did I.), but a little perspective, please. Is the big media gonna get this hysterical everytime now one of their own dies? Barbara Walters? Dan Rather? and any other ‘journalist’ over 60? America will continue on just fine without any media person who’se primary job is to allow politicians to excuse their behaviors and decisions each week.

Why did I write the above? It’s been covered just as well elsewhere but why not. Good writing exercise, I guess.

June 18th show, etc

~ Wiberg

June 18, 2008 – I’m opening a show at Player’s Restaurant – 8 pm in Atascadero, CA. Tickets will sell out so if anybody happens to read this and wants to attend, swing by the restaurant and buy tickets ($10 apiece).

I’ll do about 15 minutes. I did fifteen minutes the other day and with success! All but one new joke worked, and even the one that didn’t, crowd didn’t mind. Crowd size was about 100-120 – I’m not sure, but it was a good crowd and they laughed all the way through (as they should, of course).

and now for something completely different (and better): a clip of Richard Pryor (warning: language – of course) – this is Pryor talking about him and the mafia in OH.

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King of Comedy – DeNiro

~ Wiberg

If you think actor Robert DeNiro plays the same dudes over and over, rent/buy The King of Comedy, directed by Martin Scorsese. DeNiro plays Rupert Pupkin (say that fast) – a delusional thirty-something living with his mom, believing that he is the most talented comic/television host to substitute or replace a popular, Johnny Carson-like figure (Jerry Lewis). Pupkin, though, has not exactly developed his skills, and has never performed in front of an audience (except in his own mind). Anyway, the movie is brilliant and way overlooked by DeNiro fans and fans of show business-type ‘making it in show-biz movies’. Sandra Bernhard also stars as an even crazier character. This movie has some cringe-making scenes, as Rupert tries his best to insert himself in the ‘late night show’ scene. This clip is Rupert ‘having a meeting’ with his idol: