Under Pressure

Under Pressure                                               2661

Saturday, December 17, 2005-4:09 P.M.

Well, it's just a few hours until my big corporate show tonight for the ErdmanAnthony company.  They're a group of engineers, so I'm not sure what to expect, but I'm going to approach it the same way I approach every show; I'm going to have fun.  I've been distracted by this gig ever since I took it, because I can't dish out the normal nightclub act that I do, but last week's corporate engagement gave me courage that I can deliver a quality performance.  I guess it's because I'm working for a lot more money than I usually do, but I have to get over that mental block that somehow, because I usually work for less money, that that is my total worth.  The truth is actually that the clubs underpay comedians because there's so many comics out there, you can always find a comic who's willing to perform for your budget, regardless of how skimpy.  After 17 years and 7 months in the business, I should be more confident in my abilities, and negotiate as such.  It's hard though...no normal, well-adjusted person pursues a career in standup comedy.  What kind of person needs that much acceptance, that often?  Maybe if my parents were a little more "huggy," I'd be an engineer at ErdmanAnthony and be looking forward to the company Christmas party tonight, where some schmuck comedian is coming in to make with the tee-hee-hee's tonight.  Oh well.

Last night, Pam and I tried to take Harmony out to get her picture taken with Santa Claus, but try as we might, she was just not having it.  She fidgeted, squirmed and cried, so we threw in the towel and decided to try another day.  The sad thing was that there was no line to see Santa, so we were going to be able to get in and out with no blood, sweat or tears!  All that glitters is not gold, I guess.

So while getting a little shopping done, I got an emergency call from my home club, the Comix Cafe (www.comixcafe.com) to come in and host the second show.  I should have begged off, but I'm a company guy, so I went.  I worked with Bryan McCree and Keith Lenart from Flint, Michigan and Detroit, respectively, and I know both of them very well, and it was nice to see them.  I had contemplated stopping in anyway to say hello.  Actually, I do that every week...I seem to know every comic who comes through Rochester well enough to want to stop in and say hello, and there's just never enough time.

It was a typical Friday late show; total knife-fight crowd, loaded with college age guys looking to kill the keg, and college age girls who were scowling and pissed that they weren't the center of attention.  I went dirty early to try and capture their attention, but just couldn't out-shout 200 pituitary cases with no idea of how to conduct themselves at a public performance.

I'm hosting the late show tonight at the Cafe as well, and also tomorrow's one show.  It's always nice to pick up the extra work when you're home, and the extra cash is always welcome around the holidays, too.  It's also a nice chance to preview my headlining week at the club next week.

I got an e-mail today regarding the cancer benefit that I'm performing in Battle Creek, Michigan next April.  I'm billed as a headliner, which I didn't think was necessary, but I'm going on third out of seven performers for a 20-minute set.  Their show is structured with two comics at the "opener" lever, three "features" and two "headliners."  They're structuring it opener-feature-headliner-opener-feature-feature-headliner, which is a good way to do it.  I'm just happy to be included in the event, because cancer has touched at least three people in my immediate family. 

I'm watching the Patriots/Buccaneers game, and Doug Flutie just came in to take the knee on a 28-0 win, so I'll quit, too and hit the showers.

Have a nice weekend, leading up to your holiday festivities.

Ralph Tetta

Rochester, NY