4-10 ''ComedyJam it up your ass, bitch!''

This weekend I performed at the DC Comedyfest's ComedyJam. It was a strange set-up. It was a mix of stand-up and sketch comedy that lasted 5 hours. I was initially disappointed as it seemed like a show for the ''also-rans''; those locals who are funny, but not considered among the elite. Maybe it was, but it was a blast. I love it when people come to laugh. It makes my job immensely easier and more fun.

It took place in what was described as a ''box theater'' (I have no idea what that means). It sat about 60 and it was about 75% full when I went up (2nd). I was originally supposed to go 4th which I would have preferred. Frank Hong went 4th and by that time every seat was filled and there were people sitting on the floor.

Real quick about Frank; he's good. I really like his material even though it could not be more different than what I do. I hate his baby dinosaur joke (it makes me uncomfortable), but other than that I laughed at every single thing he said. The second sketch troop (Fresh Meat) was also funny. I can't do what they do. I always said that the only role I can play is Joe Robinson and there is no chance they'll ever do a play or make a movie about my dumb-ass life. I was thrilled with my set. I did a bunch of crowd work which all worked and that I will use again. My favorite was when I asked an older couple (late 50's/early 60's), who were there on a date, "MySpace?".

My God, I'm funny.

Before the show I met a comic in the lobby. I'm not going to give his name because I am going to be somewhat critical of him. I was talking to him and he told me he was local. I said I was surprised we'd never met. I asked him if he'd ever been to any of the local open mics. He looked at me with this smug look and said, ''I'm not really into the open mic scene.''


Now this guy may have been the funniest guy in the world, but this is an irresponsible statement. I have seen Tony Woods and TRexx at open mics. I've seen Ryan Conner do 4 jokes at SoHo an hour before he was going to be opening for Dave Chappelle at the DC Improv. I've seen Mickey Cucchiella do an hour at an open mic in front of an audience of less than 20. Back in college when I used to do the open mics at Slapstix, Garvin's and the Comedy Connection I saw, Dave Chapelle, Martin Lawrence, Tommy Davidson, Bob Somersby, Chip Franklin and DC Benny all at open mics. This guy seemed like a nice kid, but stage time is important. If you can work paid gigs every week then you don't need my advice, but if you're not, there's only one way to improve and that's through time on stage.

Deep breath before this next part.

Eddie Brill, who is apparently the talent coordinator for The Late Show with David Letterman, was critiquing local comics during a DC Comedyfest show that was being called a ''Letterman Audition''. I need to throw a disclaimer in for my next comments, any opinions expressed here are mine and mine alone. None of the comics I will mention are even aware that I give a shit about them or what Eddie Brill thinks of them. It could be that they completely agree with Mr. Brill's critique of their sets. These are my opinions based on hearing three separate accounts of what happened.

Let me also say that I saw Eddie Brill perform at HR-57 and there is NO WAY that he could follow the majority of the comics he blasted, but I'll get into that later.

I consider Doug Powell to be one of the most gifted comics in this area. He is hilarious. I have tried to follow him on one occasion and it is not possible. I heard that Mr. Brill was complementary of Doug, but told him to ''lose the guitar''. This cracks me up only because I know its wrong. It would be the equivalent of telling Cindy Crawford 20 years ago that she'll never make it in modeling unless she removes the mole. NEXT>