To stand up or sit down.

Well, here we are again...the internal debate that has been going back and forth in my head since I was nine years old. Stand Up Comedy. Imagine this; a nine year old kid reading a Steve Allen book, titled How to Be Funny. I had hopes and dreams of being the next Rodney Dangerfield, as I sat watching HBO comedy specials and the Gong Show. Obviously, after all that...I'm still wondering how to be funny.

Let's jump ahead to 2011-2012, the dream almost became a reality. Open mic's had become a very real option and I was actually being requested to come to a few. I had several comedians offering to mentor me, show me the ropes and go over my material. So, what happened? Honestly, life happened. I had personal problems at home, was struggling with who or what I was and just wasn't coping well. This should've been great material, instead, I just backed off and went a different direction. I turned to filmmaking.


Filmmaking ended up becoming a blessing in disguise. I found a voice and a happiness that I had never really thought possible. I was able to have an outlet and express emotions and touch on deep hidden horror that was within me. I love horror and this was a dream to achieve, for sure. Besides comedy, I grew up a monster kid. For me, depression and horror went hand and hand. They were a couple. When I was miserable, I wrote about loss, I jotted down people who lived behind closed doors with terrible secrets. Then, the sun began to shine....

The clouds split and the days were filled with happiness. Sounds corny, Right? It's true. I broke through the depression and found out who I was again. I still struggle day to day but I do feel better. I won't ever recover 100% but I'll do my best to keep my sanity in check.

Three months ago, I finally pulled the trigger and got started on youtube. I started to post videos about what made me happy and then I started to think about developing some characters that bounced around in my head. I started to write and work on weird shit that might make me laugh or that I would watch. Sure, I know I'm not normal, but this was where my head was leaning towards. So, I'm doing a form of improv and comedy. I'm creating content that hopefully makes you laugh a little, between Acting with Andy and Petey Panda, its all a work in progress. More characters are coming, so be patient.

Lately, I have been thinking about a possible live stage show or even performing stand up comedy. The debating, within my head, along with the voices have begun. At age 45 3/4, do I bother learning another craft that will, no doubt, be tough? Throughout my life, I've been fortunate to have some success in a few things..obviously success is different for everyone. For me, its simple, just don't suck.

The live stage show is a possibility. Stand up is possible. I guess I will wait and see where Youtube takes me. Thanks for reading.

You ever been Gang Gonged???

I am totally giving away my age with the mention of the Gong Show, running on network TV from 1976-1978. The premise sounds very familiar, contestants would preform their so called "Talent" in front of a panel of 3 celebrity judges. American Idol and American's Got Talent, while they might be good and fun...they can't hold a candle to the sheer craziness of The Gong Show. I know what your saying...if the show ran 2 years, then how is it so amazing? Let me give you some details and examples...then you decide.

The Host of the Gong Show was Chuck Barris (pictured above) worked his way up through the ranks and really must have been good at the politic game (I know all about this, ask around) and soon went from backstage assistant to TV show creator and Gong Show host...he had a great run with involvement in The Newlywed Game, The Dating Game and The Gong Show. I would say that's impressive!

The celebrity panel was more like the who is who of lounge singers and full fledged comedians. The program's frequent judges included Jaye P. Morgan, Jamie Farr, Arte Johnson, Rip Taylor, Phyllis Diller, and Anson Williams..yep Potsie. These were the comedians I grew up watching and thinking they were funny, now you know something is wrong with me. They would judge the acts on a 1 to 10 scale, with a 30 being perfect and the contestant winning a whopping $516.32..which was the Actor's Guild minimum pay for 1 day worth of work.

The list of performers to come from the Gong Show, even in it's 2 year run are amazing - Among the other true talents that appeared on the show were singer Box Car Willie; comics Paul Reubens (best known for Pee Wee Herman); Joey D'Auria (WGN's second Bozo the Clown); impressionist/comic Michael Winslow (most known for Police Academy); and a band called The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo which evolved into Oingo Boingo. Sure, doesn't look like much but, still a decent list.

My favorite comedian to come from The Gong Show had to be The Unknown Comic. Portrayed by Murray Langston, The Unknown Comic wore a bag on his head and told the worst, most corniest jokes but they worked. He was a joke writer for people like Joan Rivers, Redd Foxx and even Jim Carrey, I would say that would mean the guy has some talent. Such a simple yet funny concept and really worked...even when I was 10 years old.




Here is some Classic Unknown Comic stuff, very funny and worth a watch.

Why did I write about The Gong Show? I got talking about a movie called "Night Patrol", have you seen it? It gets horrible reviews, plus it stars Linda Blair (who looks great in it, fresh off from Hell Night and Exorcist 2), Pat Paulsen, Billy Barty, Jaye P. Morgan and Murray Langston (the Unknown Comic). Do the reviews tell the truth? Well, kind of...it depends on your sense of humor...if you enjoy, dirty, terrible, stupid humor than this might be an epic feature for you. I actually love this movie...my taste is extremely warped though. While the Gong Show movie is not on DVD, at least this is...

Here is the trailer: