Why Comedy Takes Time...

As I write this, I've been spending a lot time just trying to either get out to hit mics, or think of new material, or just relax and sleep, so time escapes me for writing in my blog as often as I would like...Okay, so this post is not at all intended for comedians. What I am about to say, they pretty much already know. In fact, anyone who is trying to be in entertainment industry knows what I am about to say, and therefore, you can click back on your browser right now to enjoy one of my other captivating blogs :-) This blog is intended for everyone else, especially those that subscribe to the coined term of "overnight success." As people who are in the entertainment industry, and most that are trying to be in the industry already know, this shit just takes time, time, a considerable amount of TIME - whether you're trying to be a comedian, actor, singer, etc...There may be an "it" factor that is used to determine who rises from obscurity to star status, but even those with the "it" factor, had to work DAMN HARD to get where they got. It always amazes me how many people think that the road to success in this industry is through the Hollywood created image of "discoverey." For those that are not exactly sure what "discovery" is, it is that Hollywood created dream image of a nobody who is just minding their business one day (walking down the street, eating in a restaruant), when fate brings a powerful producer, director or agent, in the path of the nobody. The powerful person realizes that "that face", usually a woman, is meant to be on a movie screen, the unknown is plucked from obscurity, and the rest is history. Now this may have happened a time or two back in the days of Greta Garbo, but in today's time, a man is more likely to become pregnant before that happens. What is reality, is that an act, usually has years and years of background story of where they came from, and how they came to be - a la True Hollywood Story. Tiger was playing golf from the time that he was about three, Beyonce and her crew were doing their thing since the booty was less bountiful, and Alicia Keyes and John Legend were probably playing the piano since the time that they could sit upright at an upright. Ya dig? No one is exempt. Example. I distinctly remember having a conversation with one of my boys sometime ago, of the "overnight success" of Viggo Mortensen(did I just hear someone say, "who the hell is that?"), with his appearance of the role of Aragorn in the Lord of the Rings. Now Viggo may not have the star status of say Brad Pitt, but I had to correct my boy on the countless roles he had before his big break. Either you never saw those movies, or you never noticed him before. Everyone has their dues to pay. I say to this say I am one of those people in my "backstory" now. Even I, as someone who knows that people have to pay dues, am reminded of that sometimes, beyond my own personal ideas of what patience and dilligence I must have. A couple of examples: the Laugh Factory out here in Hollywood has a show that it runs a couple times on Sunday nights called "Chocolate Sundaes" - as you might have guessed, a black show. This show is hosted by Chris Spencer (most notably for hosting "Vibe" on television). A feature of this show is called, "First Impressions." As it might imply, this segment of the show lets unknown/unheard comics perform for three minutes at a legitimate show - hence giving a first impression. It's very possible for industry to be there. It's highly likely you'll see a star or two there. Trying to get my hustle on in order to perform there (have performed in this very show before two or three years ago, but it wasn't pretty), I know I saw Lisa Bonet leaving after the first show, and I'm almost positive I saw Cree Summer and Boris Kodjoe(not leaving together) - so you could say that this is a big opportunity for comics looking for exposure. But in trying to get my hustle on, I discover from one of the shows' segment assistants, that there is a waiting list. Okay, I can understand that......EIGHT MONTHS LONG!!! Stage time - for three minutes - EIGHT! MONTHS! LONG!! I supposedly have a date for my time, but I'm still waiting to hear what that date is. Example two: Michael Colyar hosts a room every Monday night in a comedy club that is considered to be in the hood or close enough to it. Not first run exposure like the Laugh Factory, a national chain, but with Michael Colyar's name, you never know who might be in the house. On this particular ocassion, I saw Chris Spencer hanging back waiting his turn to get time to work on some material. Though it's not exactly an eight month wait to get time in his place, they regulate. Unknowns have at least a three week wait, and everyone is booked through his wife. Dropping a name, or giving them the name of a comic that vouches for you, is your best foot through the door. Of course if you have a popular comedian that vouches for you, you can cut through a lot of the red tape. But how many people have Chris Rock giving them a recommendation, or how many people have a last name ending in Wayans? It's dog eat dog, and usually the ones that make it are the ones that had the patience, and endured while others fell by the waistside. Win by attrition. It could be three, it could be five, it could be seven years. I realize that more than ever now, and for the time being, I just plan on honing, discovering who I am on stage, and becoming better, faster, stronger - Steve Austin with a mic...I believe someone will believe in me one day. There is a saying, "Everyone gets their chance, and when it comes, be ready." I'm not in a rush to get it on. I'm in a rush to get it right. This will only be a one shot deal, and I'm prepared to go the distance, however long it might take. I'm just glad that God blessed me with a devilishly handsome :-), youthful enough face to be able to still cash in on, when the time and opportunity finally comes...