Wild Thing

Wild Thing                      8057  (1277)

Thursday, June 14, 2007-12:00 P.M.

I've got a full head of steam going now, people, if you'll forgive me the atrociously shopworn metaphor.

My prospecting for comedy work has yielded even more fruit today, as I nailed down a weekend's worth of work in the Garden State, glorious New Jersey, USA.

I've never worked New Jersey, and never tried, either, figuring that comics from New York City and Philadelphia must have all of the gigs nailed down, not to mention my funny friends who actually reside in the land of Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, and that Governor who told everyone he was gay at a press conference before he told his wife.

I'm working a club called Uncle Vinnie's in Point Pleasant, just a short drive down the coast from Asbury Park.  I'm headlining two shows, one on Friday November 9th, and one on Saturday, November 10th.  I don't have the details yet, but details are to be had here (NJ Comedy Club - Uncle Vinnie's Comedy Club at Ferrara's Ristorante) and if the site you're viewing doesn't allow the hyperlink, the URL is http://www.unclevinniescomedyclub.com/ and I really need to learn how to post this sort of thing; pictures, too.

So I'm fulfilling a few comedy dreams here...I'm finally being recognized as a comic who can be trusted to close a show, I'm working New Jersey which I've never worked before, and I'm closer to my goal of performing in all 50 states.  Plus I'm making a little bit more money than usual, and I'm working closer to home.  Things are on the ups, and I couldn't be more giddy.

This week, I'm in Jacksonville, Florida, featuring for Jimmy Shubert ( The Official Website of Comedian, Jimmy Shubert ) at the Comedy Zone in the Ramada Inn.  Now, this is quite an amazing thing for me, because I saw Jimmy Shubert on the Sam Kinison Outlaws of Comedy Tour way back in the late 80's, and I had just started doing comedy at that point and came out of the show so mesmerized that I was sure I would do comedy the rest of my life.  Well, here I am, the rest of my life later, and I'm sharing the stage with Jimmy and he's been nothing but nice to me, complimenting my work and I'm so infused with energy and I'm falling in love with being a comic again.

My act has always ranged from edgy to blue, and working with Jimmy, it's almost like the perfect compliment.  Just when I thought I couldn't push the envelope any more, Jimmy ups the ante and leaves the room gasping for breath, they're laughing so hard.  Jacksonville's a little rednecky, but for the most part, they're digging the show.  It's a great week so far.

I've got another show tonight, one tomorrow, and then two on Saturday.  This is a pretty long week for me, but the pay is good, the hotel is excellent, and the perks are great, too.  There's a complimentary hot breakfast buffet in the morning and a great dinner buffet at night, and at check-in, they gave us gift cards to use at the restaurant, and there's a 25% break on dinner for the comics to begin with.  Except for tips, I haven't had to dig into my pocket once.  The club is right in the Ramada Inn, so I walk to the show and back home, and one of these afternoons, I'm going to use the pool or the workout room.

O.K., I gotta go back to living the dream.  Catch ya later.

Ralph Tetta

Rochester, NY