Where the Hell Was I?: Standup

Charlie's Standup Comedy Journal

Two Years of Yuks

In the early autumn of 2003, soon after I started this site, I had a lot of time on my hands. I'd been laid off from my job, couldn't travel while I looked for work, and was riding out my severance package and hoping to hell another job would come my way before I had to go back to mac 'n' cheese and Ramen noodles.

(It did, thankfully. But that's not the point.)

So I did what any out-of-work, disenfranchised, bitter old smartass would do -- I signed up for a standup comedy class at a local adult education center. That class was taught by Rich Gustus, now a good friend and after-show drinking buddy of mine. Even if all he drinks is soda water. Sheesh.

'Graduating' from class entitled the students to two slots at local standup venues -- a 'Sacrificing Virgins' show at The Comedy Studio in Harvard Square, and a spot in the room Rich runs at the Emerald Isle bar in Dorchester, MA. To commemorate the events, I bought a cheap-ish videocamera and taped those shows. Then I converted the clips to web format, and posted them for all to see, with a short commentary.

And with that, I was hooked on standup.

Over the next two years, I took the stage 94 times, at twenty-five venues in four New England states. I crafted a few bits that worked really well -- and tried many, many more that didn't. And where I could, I continued to record, convert, describe, and post. Why? Was it to learn from my mistakes? Pride in my deliveries, often to a handful (or less) of 'civilians'? An uncontrollable need to make people laugh -- even if it's at me, rather than with me?

I can't really say. All I know is that there are 50+ clips below of me doing standup, along with my thoughts on each show, and you're more than welcome to have a look. I'm on a self-imposed 'standup hiatus' at the moment, so maybe there'll be more someday, and maybe there won't. Probably, it's best just to check these out, and keep that hope alive for the next batch soon. I've even included a legend code, so you'll be able to find just what you're looking for. Now put those hands together!