That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore

That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore

Thursday Night-Friday Morning February 18th, 2005 3:17 A.M.

I just got back from Utica, NY, where I headlined the show at Fat Katz Comedy Club.  It was nice to get back, considering I hadn't been there since Christmas of 2003...15 months is a little long between engagements.

Thursday night is their open mic/ pro-am show.  I worked with Dancin' Phil (Farda) who mc'ed for me the last time I was in the club.  Blair Genther was also in attendance (he's the other house mc) but he didn't go up.  He and the lovely wife had a baby like three weeks ago.  Bravo, Blair...I know what you're going through with the no sleep and constant vigilence.  Babies require that.

Anyway, the show was sparsely attended....frankly, I think they all came in the same car.  There was about 15 people, 13 of them males in their early 20's.  I have come to realize at 38 years of age, I have nothing in common with these guys.  I stopped being hip or cool or whatever term you would use (and that's how uncool I am...I don't even know what term to use) around the time of the release of the third Pearl Jam album (or CD...they stopped making albums in 1992).  I got over by working the crowd and abandoning my material which depends heavily on there being at least SOME married people, SOME women or SOME people who know that you don't talk on your cell phone while you're in a showroom.  Oh well.  Even though I did nothing to advance my standing in the love of the art, a paid gig is a paid gig.  I had to cancel on a comedy showcase in Rochester, but it was a non-paying booking, and the organizers understood.

Tomorrow I get to work with the very funny Nick Siracuse and Phil Sherman, and Saturday, a headlining gig with the very funny Joe Cumbo opening up.  All in all, it stands to be a pretty good week.  I worked the phones a little yesterday and today, and wheedled about six weeks worth of work for myself, which is a good day for the striving road comic.  I now have only 13 weeks left to 2005 to book, or I could just take them off, have a vacation and stay home with no money.  I think I'll try to book at least some of them.

Ralph Tetta

Rochester, NY