by Are you or have you ever been a stand-up comedian who has put in your time, paid your dues and continues to work in clubs, colleges and anywhere else you can get gigs?
Would you consider yourself a “veteran comic”?
Here’s one new way to find out. Read the Veteran Comic Twitter feed @Veteran_Comic. The account started up a week ago, inspired by stand-up comedian Gary Gulman’s musings earlier this year and put to Twitter initially by Boston-based stand-ups Sean Sullivan and Tim McIntire under the hashtag #VeteranComic starting March 25. A separate Twitter account appeared the following day.
So far there are upward of 150 observations Tweeted or RTd on the account.It’s not a quiz, but you still can think of this as one. Take, for instance, these 15 samples from the Twitter feed. How many of them do you identify with personally? How many of them make you sympathetic for veteran comedians? And how many of them enrage you with the very notion that this is how younger comedians view you or your colleagues out there on the road? Or, pray tell, perhaps you feel all of those feelings!
Read ’em and weep, or laugh, or sigh. But don’t LOL or SMH, because a “Veteran Comic” wouldn’t know WTF to do with that.
Tim McIntire @timmymac 25 Mar
#VeteranComic tells crowds nightly, “Our parents hit us and we turned out okay!” Lives in his car and begs strangers for approval.
Blake Wexler @BlakeWexler 25 Mar
After telling the audience to tip the waitstaff, #VeteranComic does not tip waitstaff.
Will Noonan @willnoonan 25 Mar
@MrSeanSullivan @garygulman #VeteranComic gets free dinner from early and late show to go, pretends to have gf back at hotel, eats both.
Nick Lavallee @theOtherDude 25 Mar
#VeteranComic is insulted when someone refers to his Letterman spot as a “Stupid Human Trick”, until he’s reminded that’s what it was.
Mr. Sean Sullivan @MrSeanSullivan 25 Mar
#VeteranComic says @AndyKindler is his favorite comic, doesn’t realize @AndyKindler is mostly making fun of him.
Ted Pettingell @TedPettingell 25 Mar
#VeteranComic is definitely a man and almost certainly white. He wants to be on the diversity showcase to represent funny people.
Gary Gulman @GaryGulman 28 Feb
Veteran Comic admits the beatings we received were not w/o consequences. “I’m a thrice divorced recovering alcoholic.”
Gary Gulman @GaryGulman 28 Feb
Veteran comic admits drive thru audio is actually excellent. “Not droppin’ that bit though!”
Okonkwo @MyNameIsTawanda 25 Mar
#VeteranComic takes hosting gig and does 45 minutes up front
#VeteranComic stands by wacky gimmick black and white headshot. Still uses those suspenders, and the jokes done the day the photo was taken.
Veteran Comic @Veteran_Comic 29 Mar
#VeteranComic had a network deal in 1986 worth $250k. Half the $$ went to cocaine & half the $$ went to a speedboat where he did the cocaine
Ted Pettingell @TedPettingell 31 Mar
#VeteranComic doesnt know how interesting his life story is and does nothing but material on famous podcast. Dies and is forgotten by time.
Veteran Comic @Veteran_Comic 28 Mar
#VeteranComic heard what you said about him on that pod thing and he says he’s pissed but secretly he’s happy people are talking about him.
Veteran Comic @Veteran_Comic 28 Mar
#VeteranComic makes final round of comedy contest but no shows at finals cause “contests are stupid.” Kid who wins does Ferguson next week.
Stefan Davis @notstefandavis 26 Mar
Waitress brings a shot to #VeteranComic on stage. Asks the crowd “Who ordered this for me?” #VeteranComic ordered it. He always orders it.
