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20041211

Charlie’s Standup Comedy Journal

December 11, 2004: Roll Tape at the Isle!

This little gig was our ‘advanced’ comedy class graduation show, which came with a few perks. First, the whole class got to come together for a group hug and mutual moral support — that was nice. I think one of the guys tried to cop a cheap feel during the hug, but that’s all right. At least one of us was probably drunk at the time, so I’ll give

him a pass, just this once.

Back in the real world, the major perks were that as a ‘graduation show’, most of the comics had friends and

family coming out to watch, and we got to perform on a Saturday night, which may have coerced another few asses into the seats. All of which is to say that it was a fantastic crowd by Emerald Isle standards.

(Which, essentially, are my standards. I’ve played exactly one room — once — with a capacity of more than

thirty people or so. And that was on a Monday, and if we had thirty that night, it was only barely.

Basically, I’ll know I’ve ‘made it’ — or at least gotten a step closer — when I’ve played in front of a whole

football team’s worth of people. Keep the dream alive, dammit!)

Anyway, the other perk for me was that Ed, who runs the shows at ‘da Isle’, also agreed to tape our

sets, with professional sound and cameras and everything. That way, a few of us who may want to look for paid work someday can have a slick tape to include in our promo packets.

(Of course, for the moment, you people only get to watch the HandiCam version that my wife was sweet enough to tape from the audience. Hey, I haven’t made money on this shit yet, people! I don’t have the equipment — or the mad video-techno skillz — to dub that thing to web format.

When I’m rich and famous, with a summer house and a Vicodin addiction, maybe. For now, nuh-uh. I’m dizzy just thinking about it.)

Anyway, the show was a blast. We got to do a longer set than usual, and I tried to pack in all my favorite

bits — including a brand new one that I didn’t have on tape before. Bonus! So, if you’re into that kind of thing,

check out the clip below.

Man, I wish we could do a ‘graduation show’ every week — that rocked! And I’ll miss having that class

to go to, too. Partly, the people were really great and helpful and funny. And partly, it was good, gentle pressure

to work up new ideas every week. Mostly, though, it was a fantastic excuse to start drinking early on

Saturday afternoons. And I’ll miss that, you know?

Seriously, though, that classful of comics kicks ass — and kicked ass onstage Saturday night, too. I think

that’s the most fun you can have in Dorchester without breaking the law. Or involving a monkey. Really, it was sweet. Check it out!

Download Clip of 12/11/04 Set —

Emerald Isle, Dorchester, MA (9 minutes, 12 seconds):