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Bill Ligon Inner circle A sure sign of a misspent youth: 6437 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-08-18 17:04, aceofharts wrote: Besides, afterward you can make a pipe! ;) Bill
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Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
When I first tried using toliet paper in my act, the audience said to me, "Dynamike, you are full of **it."
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Sealegs Inner circle The UK, Portsmouth 2596 Posts |
Many of the posts in this thread appear to show a somewhat straitjacketed way of thinking that pervades the wonderful world of comedy magic. It pervades the rest of society too though so don't get too hung up on what I have to say.
Let me put my case. Firstly; Toilet paper isn't intrinsically funny. There are many that seem to think that the mere mention of it, or it's appearance in a routine will automatically be a cue for laughter and merriment. IT"S TOILET PAPER. It's not intrinsically funny. Although rather enjoyable I don't find myself uncontrollably laughing every time I 'wipe' and I suspect that neither do you. That should be clue for you. Now to address the guys at the other end of the spectrum. Socks can be made to be funny, refrigerators can be made to be funny, ashtrays can be made to be funny and guess what,.... toilet paper can be made to be funny. What on earth makes you think that it is exempt from the world of comedic potential? There are those that seem to think that the mere use of toilet paper in ones act means one must have plumbed the depths of the white enamel bowl of humour. Well lets see, Mike Caveney uses toilet paper in one of his signature routines, Tom Burgoon uses a roll of toilet paper in his signature routines. They are well thought out routines and use toilet paper works not on a 'whoopee cushion', 'Goshman Ding Dong' or bra trick school boy tittering at a vaugely 'rude word' level. These routines are funny for completely different reasons. Those who automatically see the use of toilet paper as 'base humour' are as narrow minded and artistically stunted as those that think it's inclusion in a routine is guaranteed to produce laughs automatically. Art and comedy can include and make use of all manner of things... including toilet paper. It does however require thought, reasoning, and purpose. For instance... I can see that a routine using toilet paper could be made funny by poking fun at those that think that automatically using toilet paper is going to be automatically funny. Such an idea for a humourous and ironic bit a magic, regardless how well thought out, scripted and performed, would though, I fear, be likely to meet puzzled looks from those occupying both ends of the 'toilet paper good...toilet paper bad' spectrum. Neal
Neal Austin
"The golden rule is that there are no golden rules." G.B. Shaw |
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Bill Ligon Inner circle A sure sign of a misspent youth: 6437 Posts |
That was well said, Sealegs, but I still tend to feel that toilet paper humor appeals primarily to the lowest sort of spectator. I agree that it is not intrinsically funny, and I agree that virtually anything can be made funny, but some people are entertained by public executions. I just don't think we should stoop that low to entertain, and doing so demeans the art. I hope I don't sound stuffy (I don't think I am), but I think there is too much today -- not just in magic -- that appeals to the basest level of humanity and which passes for entertainment. I find it sad that magic is no longer considered "real art."
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Floyd Collins Inner circle Ohio 1633 Posts |
This whole TP convo is a treat forsure. I agree with Neal and I also know that using site gags like TP can be a part of a good comedy performer but does not replace the creativeness of the performer.
Bill, with all do respect I think you are being a little bit stuffy, just a tad but that's ok and you have your boundary for magic and I think that's awesome..
No one said it would be easy, or did they?
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Bill Ligon Inner circle A sure sign of a misspent youth: 6437 Posts |
Would magic with c*nd*ms be funny? I can think of an interesting story for a matrix-type routine! Would it be appropriate in any venue? To me (and I know many will disagree) this is far LESS objectionable than toilet paper. There are bodily functions and then there are bodily functions.
The appeal of toilet paper is a reflection of the somewhat taboo subject of a particular bodily function and is only funny in itself in a sort of titilated-schoolboy sort of way. OK, I'm stuffy. I think I'll market a bedpan lota.
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<BR>A TASSEL ON THE LUNATIC FRINGE |
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Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
Do the appearing underwear from silk trick. Next pull some toilet paper from the underwear.
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Floyd Collins Inner circle Ohio 1633 Posts |
I don't know about school boy humor but I thank its awesome to show that side to the right audiance.
Think of this, you are doing a mind reading experiment, you tell your subject to concentrate really focus. They are not focusing so you bring out a news paper and a roll of TP. You say really focus can you concentrate now. This is in one of my routines, and it slays the audiance. But does it make it bad humor NO! can it be bad humor YES! so what makes it good and what makes it bad. M.A.P (Material, Audience, Performer) if I do this routine at a kid's b-day party then yes this is not good humor. If I do this routine in a adult venue or college show yes it is good humor. If I relate this routine to the thrown where most men do all their reading then it becomes even more funny. Should a straight performer do this, NO can a comedy performer pull this off, YES! Is this bad humor, NOT AT ALL I would say more people are offended by the Silk to bra then TP or toilet humor. This reminds me of Fielding West and his bird, at one point in his show he brings out some TP and wipes it Butt, this is just down right funny business. Now if so many people are laughing and enjoying this type of humor how can it really be bad!! That has been my experience your millage may very. Now to go read the news and concentrate.
No one said it would be easy, or did they?
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Bill Ligon Inner circle A sure sign of a misspent youth: 6437 Posts |
OK, I can't disagree really strongly. There is a time and place (and a type of audience) where it may be acceptable, I suppose, but I still don't find it funny, myself. Regarding the Fielding West bit, it is not the TP that is funny, it isn't scatological humor; it is the idea of doing this to a bird, and that birds are particularly known for this behavior. A bird with a diaper would also be funny. I think doing the same thing with a dog would be not quite as funny. Doing it to oneself might elicit a few laughs and nervous giggles, but I really don't think it would be humor; it would be, more likely, embarrassment.
There is a fine line between humor and crudity, I think, and personally I would not approach that line too closely. To each his own, and my opinion is just that: my opinion, nothing more. Oh yes, I agree wholeheartedly about the bra trick. Would anyone find a cups and balls routine funny if it were done with miniature outhouses and that "dogs hit" sold in some magic stores? Maybe someone will take the idea and run with it!
Author of THE HOLY ART: Bizarre Magick From Naljorpa's Cave. NOW IN HARDCOVER! VIEW: <BR>www.lulu.com/content/1399405 ORDER: http://stores.lulu.com/naljorpa
<BR>A TASSEL ON THE LUNATIC FRINGE |
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Mike Brezler Inner circle Waynesboro, Pa. 1114 Posts |
Feilding West uses a small roll of Toilet Paper that is on a holder that he pops out of his jacket to wipe his dove's bottom. It is a very funny routine and the bird doesn't seem to mind.
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Tim Hannig Inner circle Chicago area 1147 Posts |
Mike Caveney did his routine tonight at "Magic Chicago" and the audience loved it. It was great.
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Gary Fabjance New user 53 Posts |
Available for the first time ever...
Timmy Toilet Paper Notebook! After years in the making Tom Burgoon’s laugh filled signature routine is finally released to you in complete detail! http://www.tomburgoon.com/onlinestore.html |
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hbwolkov Inner circle 2947 Posts |
I would not suggest a mouth coil.
Northern California
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Father Photius Grammar Host El Paso, TX (Formerly Amarillo) 17161 Posts |
It is always going to depend on both the type of audience you are playing and the type of image and character you present on stage. It could be funny in some situations and insulting in others. If it fits your style and the audience, then most of the tricks suggested would play well, but if you want to add a bit of extra laughter to get it all kicked off, you will have to pay the performance fee for the music, but hold up the toilet role and peel a rolling stream off as the start of "Wipeout" plays, then if you can do the routine to music do it to Wipeout.
"Now here's the man with the 25 cent hands, that two bit magician..."
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hbwolkov Inner circle 2947 Posts |
Do you know how to juggle ?
You can do card to the inner card board roll.
Northern California
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