how far can you go with borrowed material?
randy
One of the open mikers last week did a set comprised entirely of jokes
lifted from watching the various comedy specials on TV, and has apparently
beeen doing that same 5 minutes since he started a few months ago.
How far can you get with borrowed material? I know that there are something
like four actual jokes in the world, and everyone just makes variations of
them, but what about outright plagiarism?
Randy
Paul Goebel
>like four actual jokes in the world, and everyone just makes variations of
>them, but what about outright plagiarism?
More than likely, the audience recognizes his material, just like you did.That
guy is going nowhere. Trust me.
From the King of TV
"Who is the King?"-The King
CatheB
randy wrote:
> Hello all,
>
> One of the open mikers last week did a set comprised entirely of jokes
> lifted from watching the various comedy specials on TV, and has apparently
> beeen doing that same 5 minutes since he started a few months ago.
>
> How far can you get with borrowed material? I know that there are something
> like four actual jokes in the world, and everyone just makes variations of
> them, but what about outright plagiarism?
>
> Randy
TSalmon804
Hold on, give this bud a chance flower, he may be on to something, comedian
impressionist, yeah! He impersonates comedians?
"One Funny Jamaican"
www.comedy.com/onefunnyjamaican
Princess Normal
> Hold on, give this bud a chance flower, he may be on to something, comedian
> impressionist, yeah! He impersonates comedians?
>
> "One Funny Jamaican"
> www.comedy.com/onefunnyjamaican
Don't laugh! There is one working in UK. I saw this guy on the Dockers Benefit
Concert. He just stood there and impersonated a bunch of comics who had JUST
BEEN ON!
Grant? Do you know who I am talking about? I didn't catch his name - I was too
busy trying to prevent my brain from exploding and the hate from coming out of my
eyes.
"And if Jo Brand were here, well, she was before, but if she were here now...
she'd say.... Oh look, here comes Allan Partridge..."
Prinny xxxx
"Kill that guy!" ~ My impersonation of Jo Brand.
"Ok." ~ My impersonation of Allan Partridge.
"Killy, @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@" ~ Me, just amusing myself about the house.
--
[to autoreply remove my SpamPants]
Tim Mitchell
[snip]
> like four actual jokes in the world, and everyone just makes >variations of them
Okay, let's settle this. Here's my take on the Four Jokes (in descending
order of popularity):
1. "This word can be taken two ways."
2. "Here's something you thought you liked, and why you shouldn't."
3. "I've noticed something that you've noticed too, but
never verbalized!"
4. "Cunt!"
Differing opinions welcomed.
--Tim Mitchell
KlownHuntr
Well, many of us are going all the way to LA in September.
Does that help any?
~KB
Bill Bershinger
Suze la Rousse
s...@bitstream.net wrote:
> randy wrote:
> [snip]
> > like four actual jokes in the world, and everyone just makes
>variations of them
>
descending
> order of popularity):
>
> 1. "This word can be taken two ways."
> 2. "Here's something you thought you liked, and why you shouldn't."
> 3. "I've noticed something that you've noticed too, but
> never verbalized!"
> 4. "Cunt!"
>
the jokes in the world, but the thing that comes to mind right away is,
how's about making #4 equal-opportunity? ;-)
>
--
Where can I buy belated birthday cards by the
boxed set?
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Share what you know. Learn what you don't.
Tim Mitchell
[snip]
> > 4. "Cunt!"
> >
> I'd have to give it some in-depth thought to see if these are REALLY all
> the jokes in the world, but the thing that comes to mind right away is,
> how's about making #4 equal-opportunity? ;-)
It'll never have the same bite. I've just poured myself a nice, large
bourbon and soda, and it seems like the perfect time for a philosophical
essay on the C-word. I'm even going to be semi-serious.
Men have no problems with being referred to by their genitalia. Take me.
I'm a dick. A dork. A putz. Are you okay with being called a cunt?
Unfortunately, men are raised to be much more proud of their genitalia
than women are. If the Spice Girls changed their motto to "Cunt Power,"
young girls might finally have some worthy role models.
And it's not just the C-word. All slang terms for women's genitalia are
considered offensive, with the possible exception of "pussy." Snatch,
twat, gash, beaver, cooze... oh, I could go on and on. Compare to terms
for male genitalia above. "Dork" and "putz" are regularly used on
network television.
Consider the etymology. "Cunt" comes from the Middle English "coynte,"
which meant, well, "cunt." "Vagina" comes from the Latin, and means
"sheath," leaving little doubt as to its purpose. Which word is more
sexist? (Of course, "penis" means "pencil," so the next time you call
someone a "pencildick," you're being redundant.)
So why is the C-word the dirtiest of dirty words? Our Brit and Aussie
friends can tell you it's considered MUCH milder there. (Of course, our
Brit friends tend to call it a "fanny," which is just doofy.)
In my opinion, it's because American women are a bunch of uptight cunts.
Whoops, looks like that bourbon just kicked in.
The answer is, I dunno. I'm sure the top-of-the-head answer has
something to do with male oppression (legitimate) or the word's
underuse. ("Fuck" was the filthiest word in the English language, but
lost its status through sheer, mind-numbing repitition.)
Any thoughts, other than that I should really look into that whole AA
thing?
--Tim Mitchell
KlownHuntr
thing?
--Tim Mitchell>>>
I have fastidiously avoided using the c-word onstage. Recently, I started doing
a bit that absolutely screams for it. NOTHING cuts to the heart of the
punchline like the c-word, and believe me, I've tried 'em all. The audience
accepts it, and it gets a good, hard laugh. And NOT the shock laugh I was
expecting/dreading.
Damn, next thing you know I'll be taking a beer onstage with me.....
~KB
Dickypalme
<suze_la...@my-deja.com> writes:
>> 4. "Cunt!"
>how's about making #4 equal-opportunity? ;-)
>>
Cunt of color?
Dicky Palmer
Tim Mitchell
[snip]
> I have fastidiously avoided using the c-word onstage. Recently, I started doing
> a bit that absolutely screams for it. NOTHING cuts to the heart of the
> punchline like the c-word, and believe me, I've tried 'em all. The audience
> accepts it, and it gets a good, hard laugh. And NOT the shock laugh I was
> expecting/dreading.
I've never said "cunt" onstage (surprise, surprise.) But I would under
those circumstances.
I don't think Louis CK's "Cunty McShitballs" bit would be as strong if
he'd chosen a different word.
--Tim Mitchell
MLBRUNKER
writes:
>In my opinion, it's because American women are a bunch of uptight cunts.
Yeah, right--women from other places AREN'T put off by this sort of thing.
Do charmless guys from, say, Tierra del Fuego, engage in this sort of
rationalization? ("Nothing wrong with me--all Tierra del Fuegan women are
uptight cunts.") Or just the ones from the States?
rjko
> Consider the etymology. "Cunt" comes from the Middle English "coynte,"
> which meant, well, "cunt." "Vagina" comes from the Latin, and means
> "sheath," leaving little doubt as to its purpose. Which word is more
> sexist? (Of course, "penis" means "pencil," so the next time you call
> someone a "pencildick," you're being redundant.)
>
> So why is the C-word the dirtiest of dirty words? Our Brit and Aussie
> friends can tell you it's considered MUCH milder there. (Of course, our
> Brit friends tend to call it a "fanny," which is just doofy.)
>
> In my opinion, it's because American women are a bunch of uptight cunts.
>
> Whoops, looks like that bourbon just kicked in.
Dear God, that's funny!
-- Rich Barber
Tim Mitchell
>
> >In my opinion, it's because American women are a bunch of uptight cunts.
>
>
> Do charmless guys from, say, Tierra del Fuego, engage in this sort of
> rationalization? ("Nothing wrong with me--all Tierra del Fuegan women are
> uptight cunts.") Or just the ones from the States?
1. How did I know someone was going to take that one sentence out of the
context of the dozens surrounding it?
2. I ooze charm, among other things.
--Tim Mitchell
Grant McManus
>I've never said
c-word censored cos I'm scared of AOL
> onstage (surprise, surprise.)
I'm told I said it last Monday night, but I have no recollection.
Grant
Purchasing Jar-Jar Binks Merchandise Like They Are Running Short of Jar Jar
Binks Merchandise.
Grant McManus
>Don't laugh! There is one working in UK. I saw this guy on the >Dockers
Benefit Concert. He just stood there and impersonated a >bunch of comics who
had JUST BEEN ON!
>
>Grant? Do you know who I am talking about?
I have no idea, but I'm asking around.
Where do I start on this subject?
How far can you go with borrowed material? Should be the end of my fist.
I saw an act recently. I recognised the material, but not the face.
Saw an act about a year ago, he/she/they really could have tried to change the
words rather than do exactly what Rich Hall wrote.
Another act recently, just came out with some old cliches.
I think newer acts maybe do this because they lack the courage and life
experience for stand-up. They think it is a bit of primer and they will get
there own stuff together later on.
Yoda would tell you that you are well on your way to the dark side for this.
I think others just desperately want to do stand-up so badly that they steal
material and get themselves into a bigger mess. I'm sure everyone knows
someone like this, they tell you that their uncle has just left them General
Motors in his will, that kind of thing.
The last type is the kind the Prinny mentioned( I think). The act is
derivative and while not exactly stolen(except it is), it has very little of
their own input. The 'do' other people, but aren't really impressionists.
Sadly in the UK the public lap up this kind of act.
I try hard to write original and funny stuff and it makes me angry and sad when
I see any of the above. I'm sure this applies to all you guys on here.
I could go on for hours on this subject. I could name names. I won't.
However, I think there could be a market for Tribute Comedians.
Grant
My Name's Jimmy Seinfeld, Thank You Good Night.
Hotplate
Tim Mitchell <s...@bitstream.net> wrote in message
> The answer is, I dunno. I'm sure the top-of-the-head answer has
> something to do with male oppression (legitimate) or the word's
> underuse. ("Fuck" was the filthiest word in the English language, but
> lost its status through sheer, mind-numbing repitition.)
>
> Any thoughts, other than that I should really look into that whole AA
> thing?
I think you're doing rather well. Can't see any call for abstinence just
yet.
I believe 'fuck' was considered the filthiest word due to its origins. What
I heard was that there used to be a F.U.C.K. file in police stations; an
acronym of "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" and (sadly) that meant abuse of
kids and if it still meant that then, yeah, I'd be a bit uncomfy with the
word too. Anyhow, it's possibly an urban myth - dunno.
Cunt, however - mildest of origins, so it oughtn't be so "off" to use.
Apparently general contractors from blacksmiths to gargoyle moulders were
called 'conts' for short and Irish/Scottish conts were forever in the pub
instead of finishing jobs and the familiar call of "get yeself outa that
pub, ya cont" became somewhat derogatory. Fair enough, I made this second
one up.
~ LH
Suze la Rousse
minstunderstood and been somewhat misunderstood myself...maybe because I
am not a professional comedienne. You see, I was
under the impression that when Tim Mitchell, I believe it was, was
referring to the, ahem,
"c-word," he did not mean it as a slur, or at least, not only as a slur,
but more as a succint way of saying "women and sex," or "sexy women" or
"women I've had sex with," or "women I wish I'd had sex with but
didn't" (in which case, possibly the slur connotation would perhaps be
starting to creep in), or "sexy women that I for some reason didn't wish
to have sex with and did anyway and am still trying to figure that one
out," or some other permutation thereof. So, I was merely trying to
point out that women could go on in a similar vein about men. But a
thousand pardons, anyway, for misinterpreting. (Actually, all this was
probably not necessary, since women can still go on about men in the
same way when the c-word is used as a grave, grave inslut, I mean
insult...only I agree, it is a little different--then it's call
bitching!) :-)
~Suze~
Princess Normal
> Tim Mitchell wrote;
>
> >I've never said cunt onstage (surprise, surprise.)
>
> I'm told I said it last Monday night, but I have no recollection.
Well, of course you did. You're Scottish!
"Oh, you cunt!" ~ An OLD OLD woman talking to the ATM in Edinburgh.
Prinny xxxx
Oppenhiem
>Consider the etymology. "Cunt" comes from the Middle English "coynte,"
>which meant, well, "cunt." "Vagina" comes from the Latin, and means
>"sheath," leaving little doubt as to its purpose. Which word is more
>sexist? (Of course, "penis" means "pencil," so the next time you call
>someone a "pencildick," you're being redundant.)
Hey there Mr. Michell! No offence but are you really
Actual 3? I only ask becuase Actual 3 does his comdey
like that where he not only does comdey but also gives
a history lesson for us to learn about stuff we did'nt
know unless we read as much as him and most of us
don't so we really like it when he shows us how much we
missed by not reading more and making it comdey too!
I bet alot of us here go to the liberary more sinse
Actual 3 posted here and if that is you I just want
to say thanks for showing us how much there is to
learn out there!!!
Sinsereley,
Randy Oppenheimer
KlownHuntr
minstunderstood and been somewhat misunderstood myself...maybe because I
am not a professional comedienne. You see, I was
under the impression that when Tim Mitchell, I believe it was, was
referring to the, ahem,
"c-word," he did not mean it as a slur, or at least, not only as a slur,
but more as a succint way of saying "women and sex," or "sexy women" or
"women I've had sex with," or "women I wish I'd had sex with but
didn't" (in which case, possibly the slur connotation would perhaps be
starting to creep in), or "sexy women that I for some reason didn't wish
to have sex with and did anyway and am still trying to figure that one
out," or some other permutation thereof.>>>
Nope. I think he pretty much just meant 'cunt'.
Could be wrong, though.
~KB
John Rabon
s...@bitstream.net wrote:
> I've never said "cunt" onstage (surprise, surprise.) But I would under
> those circumstances.
>
> I don't think Louis CK's "Cunty McShitballs" bit would be as strong if
> he'd chosen a different word.
>
> --Tim Mitchell
>
--
Hey Tim, is that Louis' "God bless Farty McCrablice" bit uncut? Or is it
a different bit?
--John Rabon
http://www.geocities.com/hollywood/trailer/9452/
Tommy Drake
ever heard.
That includes this post, thanks for asking.
-Tommy
randy wrote:
> Hello all,
>
> One of the open mikers last week did a set comprised entirely of jokes
> lifted from watching the various comedy specials on TV, and has apparently
> beeen doing that same 5 minutes since he started a few months ago.
>
> How far can you get with borrowed material? I know that there are something
> like four actual jokes in the world, and everyone just makes variations of
Tim Mitchell
[snip]
> Hey Tim, is that Louis' "God bless Farty McCrablice" bit uncut? Or is it
> a different bit?
>
> --John Rabon
I can't tell if you're joking. Heh. I've only heard it as "Cunty
McShitballs," and only from a comic who worked with him. You can see
what I mean about the bite, though.
--Tim Mitchell
JCoyote
P.S. Are you really a clown and did you go to clown college and if so did
you know Ainslee Bruneau (costumer)?
Joanie
Tommy Drake wrote in message <376FB197...@hypercon.com>...
KlownHuntr
P.S. Are you really a clown and did you go to clown college and if so did
you know Ainslee Bruneau (costumer)?>>>
I did in fact go to clown college, and yes, I was on the Red Unit of the
Ringling show in '86. (The show with the 'Living Unicorn' and Gunther
Gebel-Williams.)
And YES, I do know Ainslee...She designed my wardrobe! If you happen to know
where to get ahold of her, I'd LOVE to say hi.
~Burke
MLBRUNKER
>MLBRUNKER wrote:
>>[snip] Tim Mitchell <s...@bitstream.net> writes:
>> >In my opinion, it's because American women are a bunch of uptight cunts.
>> Yeah, right--women from other places AREN'T put off by this sort of thing.
>>
>> Do charmless guys from, say, Tierra del Fuego, engage in this sort of
>> rationalization? ("Nothing wrong with me--all Tierra del Fuegan women are
>> uptight cunts.") Or just the ones from the States?
>
>1. How did I know someone was going to take that one sentence out of the
>context of the dozens surrounding it?
Gee, how did I know you were going to claim to be quoted out of context?
The line in question isn't particularly modified by the rest of the post. It
was included in your message, near as I can tell, because you thought it was
funny. However, you indicate in the dozens of surrounding sentances that you
knew virtually all women (and not a few men) would find it annoying at best.
You're not actually complaining about it now, are you?
>2. I ooze charm, among other things.
Did I say YOU were charmless? I'm just observing that (a) variations of
"American women are [fill in insult]" are usually made by the sort of guys who
feature in "Death Is Not An Option" and (b) the word "cunt" is a lot funnier
to folks who don't have one--and funnier still to folks who can't borrow one
(at least, not twice).
KlownHuntr
one--and funnier still to folks who can't borrow one (at least, not twice).>>>>
That's what it's all about with you women, isn't it? Lending out the cootch
like you're the library of pussy. Well let me tell you something, Miss
Potty-mouth, we men aren't like YOU. We can't separate sex from emotion. For
us, and I know this will be tough for you to comprehend, the act of sex and the
emotion of love are inseperable. They are ONE, understand?
Of course you don't. For you, it's all about 'lend and return'. So you can take
your objectification of men and peddle it somewhere else, sister. And take your
cunt with you.
Unless you're really hot, in which case...Are you going to be in LA on the 20th
of September, by any chance? I know about this really cool barbecue....
~KB
MLBRUNKER
>like you're the library of pussy. Well let me tell you something, Miss
>Potty-mouth, we men aren't like YOU. We can't separate sex from emotion. For
>us, and I know this will be tough for you to comprehend, the act of sex and
>the
>emotion of love are inseperable. They are ONE, understand?
>Of course you don't. For you, it's all about 'lend and return'. So you can
>take
>your objectification of men and peddle it somewhere else, sister. And take
>your
>cunt with you.
[wiping spewed Fresca from monitor]
NOT n.o.w.
eloquently put it) was a good thing. Isn't that what up tight male comics
say they need, you know, so they don't die.
JM
MLBRUNKER wrote in message <19990627132434...@ngol05.aol.com>...
"Lonesome" Keith
MLBRUNKER <mlbr...@aol.comdespam> wrote in message
news:19990627132434...@ngol05.aol.com...
> (b) the word "cunt" is a lot funnier
> to folks who don't have one--and funnier still to folks who can't borrow
one
> (at least, not twice).
>
Hey leave me out this!
--
"Lonesome" Keith
Visit my web site , it kills brain cells free!
http://www.freeyellow.com/members3/funny1/
"If that's your approach to picking up women ,
no wonder your lonesome" Steve Gelder
KlownHuntr
Does that mean I have a date for the barbecue?
~KB
Tim Mitchell
[snip]
> Gee, how did I know you were going to claim to be quoted out of context?
>
Maybe because you took the only line that went against the grain of the
rest of the post (that it's a shame that women feel they should be more
embarrased by their genitals than men are) and posted it by itself.
[snip]
It
> was included in your message, near as I can tell, because you thought it was
> funny.
It was.
However, you indicate in the dozens of surrounding sentances that you
> knew virtually all women (and not a few men) would find it annoying at best.
That's why.
[snip]
But, if you are in fact an uptight American cunt, thanks for lending
irony to the whole thing.
--Tim Mitchell
Tim Mitchell
> And take your cunt with you.
The setup was long, but MAN was the punch worth it.
--Tim Mitchell
KlownHuntr
--Tim Mitchell>>>
Thanks, Tim! It's my whole new 'I hate everything' POV...kind of in the Woody
Allen, long-ass setup stage right now.
~KB
Stuart O. Bronstein
>--Tim Mitchell>>>
>>The setup was long, but MAN was the punch worth it.
>
>Thanks, Tim! It's my whole new 'I hate everything' POV...kind of in the
>Woody Allen, long-ass setup stage right now.
I used to tell people that I don't only hate the people everyone else
does, but I have *everone*. It's called being a polygot.
--
Stu (delete * from email address)
Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep
your mouth shut.
--Ernest Hemingway
Mark Saltveit
Here's a thought; while the evil of stealing material is about the only real
"rule" in comedy that everyone agrees with, that rule doesn't seem to apply
to saves and heckler responses.
At least, I've heard several people use "I don't come around to your work
and knock dicks out of your mouth", "gee that was so funny when I was
driving over here", etc. and no one seems to get too worked up about it.
Or am I missing something here?