Fool In The Rain

Fool In The Rain                  4715  (745)

Friday, June 9th, 2006-11:55 P.M.

I had a case of comedy deja vu tonight, the likes of which I've only had one other time.

I'm working tonight with headliner Steve Shaffer and mc Doug Karpf.  I've never worked with either of these guys before, but come to find out, I've seen Steve on TV several times before.  It didn't hit me until about 35 minutes into his set when he did a joke that I recognized, about being an Italian from South Philly, and having a friend who says things like "Steve, I got shot six inches away from my babalones."  The joke is talking about the testicles, and it always made me crack up, from all the way back when I was just a comedy-obsessed high school student staying up late and watching Evening At The Improv.

Steve is a top-notch comic and a classy guy, and I think I broke his balls when I asked permission to merchandise after the show.  He never heard of that before, the asking of permission, and when I told him that sometimes headliners tell me "no," he seemed shocked.  I told him that it was completely out of courtesy that I asked, and that I always conduct myself that way, and he was really stunned.  Anyway, he's a real professional and fun to watch, polished and sharp as a steak knife, and Doug is a funny comic as well.  I'm really pleased to be on the show this weekend, even though tomorrow, we're cut to one show instead of two.  That's gonna make my drive home a little bit easier, and to show you how classy club owner Scott Bruce is, the money is the same even though there's fewer shows....THAT'S a gentleman.

The show tonight was comprised of older folks, so I did a cleaner show, and it was fun.  After 18 years doing comedy (yup, it's officially been that long for me as of June 1st), sometimes I get tired of my material.  I did some new political stuff tonight (applause breaks), some core stuff, and a little riffing around with the good folks of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.  I'm lucky to even be here tonight, to tell you the truth.

The drive down here, even though it was only a little shy of five hours, was one of the most harrowing drives I've had in a while.  The rain came furiously, and at least one time in New York and one time in Pennsylvania, it was coming so hard, my windshield wipers were useless.  Cars were pulling over, stopping under bridges and putting their hazard lights on, it was so bad.  I got turned around just leaving my own home town, and at one point, was leading a parade of emergency vehicles on their way to an accident where a car flipped over.  Even when I stopped for gas, the guy ahead of me at the station was 100 years old, no joke.  He was a Civil War Veteran, and he was trying to stuff Confederate money into the card reader on the pump.  I couldn't catch a break.

I'm getting ready for the big swing west on Monday, and looking forward to a real-live tour again.  These weekend rooms are o.k., but I either want to stay in one place for a week, or get moving right away after one show.  With a weekend room, you feel like a prisoner, just because there's nothing to do...at least with a string of one-nighters, you're obliged to get into the car and find your way to the new place.  Tomorrow, I have the prospect of being stuck in downtown Wilkes-Barre where there is a whole bunch of *nothing* happening.  And only one show to do!  It's almost like I can't even use the weekend to tune up my skills.

I know I take the prize for bitching, but I was named "Chronic Complainer" in my high school yearbook.  It just feels better to get it off my chest.  I still think I have the best job in the world.

Take care and have a nice, dry weekend.

Ralph Tetta

Rochester, NY