People ask me all the time, how the “job” of comedy is. I’ll have to admit, it’s often fun, sometimes great, sometimes it’s only “partially” fun, and there’s some “dud” times, but there’s days and nights when everything goes right: good tech, good crowd, good atmosphere, good mood (maybe not in that order) where there’s not a lot hurdles to get over to make a good show, well, grand.
It’s a show where even the “B” material, hits ‘em like it’s the funniest thing they’ve ever heard. And you wonder what’s the matter with all those other crowds that never laughed so hard at the bit. Good comedy days get less rare as we (comedians) get more proficient at handling every situation. But, yeah, I’d have to say, it’s a good job when things even go half right.
Like everything, there are costs, there are choices, and maybe even what one could call sacrifices. As a veteran of the road, I know you either get a day gig (what my non-com friends call “a job”) and then do shows, hit open mics, and ply your comedy (music etc.) talent whenever you can (close to home) or you choose the second option—which for many is the only option—and try to make a living on the road.
It often takes a (special kinda) village to be involved with a professional that some liken to being the village idiot. Family can be difficult to wrangle, and it takes a special partner to team up with anyone who makes a living on the road. (And often, the partner at home has the harder job.) So many times, this arrangement proves to be too much work out, but if there’s a silver lining (or in this economy I’d take aluminum) I’ve been lucky to have support both at home, when away, and when I return home.
While I’m a bit pickier as I get along in this business, like many people who are chasing a laugh, an audience, a gig, a check, I still don’t see (maybe cannot see) those special dates on the calendar, like the 3-day weekend, birthdays, anniversaries, and other celebrations. My calendar blindness is caused by the realities of the entertainment profession. Translation: Once again, I was gone for Valentine’s Day.
So let me put out a special thanks to those personally (you know who you are) and those generally, (you should know who you are) who have their loved ones gone entertaining, or simply working, trying to provide, as best they know how. Show-biz or regular biz, I hope, like those around me, the people who care for you, know and feel that while they may be separated in body, no matter what the day, they’re still at home in the heart.