HOT OR COLD?

I heard a popular and successful secular comedian's radio show the other morning. I was thrilled when I heard him interviewed on PBS. He shared that he was raised in church, his Mother never heard him perform, (she's deceased), because she was a godly woman and didn't want to see her son curse on stage. It was impressive to hear him say that before he agreed to the nationally syndicated radio show that he hosts, he insisted that the executives had to allow him to give God the first 15 minutes or there was no deal. WOW! that's an impressive stand for the Lord, (even for a sure-nuff believer).

When I tried to listen to the program, the first 15 minutes was fine, but , WHOA! what I heard afterward seemed to erase the effect of the first fifteen minutes. I had to turn it off, it was grieving my spirit. I got to thinking, the Apostle John writes by divine inspiration to the Laodicean church in Revelations 3:15,16 -- ..."I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, becuase you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth." That's graphic, I know, but God is like, look dude, either you're a cold Christian comedian or a hot Christian comedian -- I don't have lukewarm Christian comedians. I spit those out. So decide. Are you hot or cold?

Experiencing a major SELAH moment here people.

Comedy Drive-Bys

Hey everybody!

I was doing stand-up for an 85th. Church Anniversary at a local hotel recently. There were two sisters seated at my table. Friendly, great company. Then one of the sisters leans over to me confidentially and says, "You're not going to call us out up there are you?" I thought, Wow. Is that what people think about comedians? That we just indiscriminately do what I call 'comedy drive-bys?' Shout-out to Table 20 over there and my two sisters in crime, you know you should be arrested for that crazy hair don't you? NO WAY!

Improvisational comedy is one thing. Embarrassing and humiliating people is another, and it is not at all funny to me.

I'm about to release my first comedy CD everybody! Drum roll....= D Thank you Lord for the privilege of being your comic.

It's weird. At first I thought about calling it "Laughter is Medicine." Then I thought. Nah, too boring. Then I thought, what about "Comedy is Therapy?!?" NAH! So I got it now. You ready for this? "Cuss-Free Comedy!" YYYEEesss!!!

We have a winner people.

Rev. Preachit --- Politically Incorrect

One of the characters that I am developing is a female preacher named Rev. Preachit. Recently, I had a comedy gig at a traditional, denominational, mainstream church. Because I knew this particular denomination does not believe in women preachers, I changed the joke to a male preacher.

Did I sell out, or was I just being courteous? I'm not sure. But one thing I can say in their favor, even though certain topics are taboo in certain churches, overall, the Christian crowds are more appreciative of clean/Christian comedy, (at least the more progressive, cutting-edge ones.)

Sigh. So much for free speech.

ChristComic

Comedy is Therapy

Comedy is therapy. At least it is for me. I know that my stress levels, frown lines, and overall health have definitely improved since I got bitten by the comedy bug.

The condition of the world is no laughing matter, but to have us "class clowns" out there, doing our thing, making you laugh, (maybe not), helps to anesthetize, (is that intellectual sounding or what?), the pain of it all.

Is comedy therapy, or is just escape? What do you think?

ChristComic

Double Standard?

I was at the opening of a new "hangout" for young Christian, urban, professionals and enjoyed the performance of their headliner: "Laughin Lenny." Laughin' Lenny told a joke that really was funny the way he said it. At the end of his set, he said he really had to go because he and his wife told their kids, (teens), that they were going to the 7-Eleven; and they had to get back to them because they couldn't find anyone to watch them.

As a comedian, my first thought was, that was funny. As a female comedian, my second thought was, a female comedian would never get a away with that joke. They would think you were an unfit Mom.

What do you think? Is there a double standard, gender bias, even in comedy?

ChristComic