Day: April 14, 2009

If you thought the ECNYs covered just one part of the New York comedy scene, then perhaps you'll be interested to know who just got nominated for the 2009 MAC Awards. MAC stands for the Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs, which means they're missing a C and maybe an O. Anyhow. The awards will be handed out May 18. Here are this year's comedian nominees. Congrats and good luck! Female Stand-Up: Dena Blizzard, Michelle Buteau, Mary Dimino, Ophira Eisenberg, Maureen Langan Male Stand-Up: Wali Collins, Joe DeVito, Joe DeRosa, Kyle Grooms, Rick Younger Major Male Stand-Up: Mario Cantone, Jim Gaffigan, Greg Giraldo, Tom Papa, Louis Ramey Major Female Stand-Up: Susie Essman, Jackie Hoffman, Jessica Kirson, Lynne Koplitz Improv Comedy Group: Calgary Whalers, Chicago City Limits, Comedy Sportz Musical Comedy Performer/Duo/Group: Booth & Pat, Hedda Lettuce, Shawn...

So I'm just now reading this essay, or rather, this ode to joke-telling by Chicago Sun-Times film critic Roger Ebert, and before I turn my thumbs in the up or down position, I have to remind myself not to wade into the muck and mire of the comments section and examine only what Ebert wrote. Interesting to learn that before critiquing, the young Ebert aspired to a career in stand-up. Got halfway in before seeing that Ebert is not talking about routines or monologues (as he calls a set), but specifically zeroing in on what he feels are the keys to writing a stand-alone funny joke. He also includes a series of photos profiling stand-ups at a show in Palo Alto, Calif., but never explains why. Just illustration, are they? It would have been nice to include their jokes, too. Anyhow. Digression completed. Here are Roger Ebert's 10 rules for amateurs to follow when attempting to tell a joke in an informal setting… 1. Know the joke. 2. Never step on the punch word. 3. Use a four-letter word if the joke requires it. 4. Never explain. 5. Do not elaborate unnecessarily. 6. Never repeat. 7. Beware of accents. 8. Be careful about ethnic or religious jokes. 9. If it's a long joke, it may be better funnier if it is told quickly. 10. If the joke really works, you...