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Simon Lovell V.I.P. 506 Posts |
Oddly enough I often take a short nap before going on stage ... that's just part of my pre-show preperation!
Although I've lived in America for around 15 years now I am originally from the UK and, I guess, my style has remained very English "working men's club" in its form. I certainly don't deliberately go out to insult an audience's intelligence level at all. The line "don't you guys read" is simply meant as a amusing aside. If people take it personally ... oh well ... I guess that's just life! As I said before I am fully aware that if I do material of this nature then not everybody will like it. Oddly enough though I'd rather it created extreme responses rather than people being indifferent about the show. I don't fall into the category of performers that strive to give and audience what they want to see ... I'd rather do the material that I want them to see and, as I say at the start of this particular show, have them chose to (not opt not to of course)come along for the ride. Anyways we are all entitled to our opinions and, if we all thought the same way, the world would be a very boring place indeed! Simon |
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Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
Quote:
Anyways we are all entitled to our opinions and, if we all thought the same way, the world would be a very boring place indeed! Simon Well said.
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
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Corona Smith Inner circle Airstrip One 1689 Posts |
Always nice to see a few hats in a thread.
Keep up the good work. Corona |
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Chris Becker Veteran user New York, NY 371 Posts |
Hello again,
Wow! 28 posts already and all because I chose a wrong heading for my thread! I do concede that Simon and Gazzo are English, but they are apparently especially sucessful in the States. But let's not talk about the country - I think I got that distinction wrong and agree with those who say it's more personal than that. Simon, thanks for your responses, I'm very glad you take part in this discussion. There's a couple of things I wanted to add to my initial post, especially now that you're here. I saw your show (not "hobbies") twice before, last in the fall of 2003 at MNM in NYC. Both times, I was very enthusiastic, particularly because I liked your off-beat presentation. I don't recall anything offensive from these shows. Additionally, in a lecture, I saw your fantastic sleight-of-hand and throroughly enjoyed learning from your published material ever since. Based on this experience, I brought 14 of my friends here at HLS to the Mystery Lounge, after I had been telling them for weeks what a great show awaits them since S.L. will perform. Unfortunately, we were really disappointed. Now, I'm glad NYC works so well for you and I'm sure those who come to a show labelled "strictly adult" and share your new sense of humor throroughly enjoy your performance. However, this was not what anyone in Cambridge expected. I had been to the Mystery Lounge a couple of weeks before and 50% of the magicians were quite decent. So I invitied my friends to the magic show, knowing Simon Lovell, famous star of sleight-of-hand, would be in the show. When my friend Rachel was then complemented on her "nice tit***", we were told we're stupid and how you came up with painting grocery dividers in supermarkets this was not what we had expected. You also seemed throroughly bored with your magic routines. So much for my very personal experience. More generally, and this is what the thread was initially about, I am wondering why humor like this would have any place in magic? The emotion that I think people are looking for in a magic show is astonishment, amazement and, of course, entertainment. Hence, humor is certainly great as a matter of principle. But I don't think many people have the "please abuse me"-attitude when they buy their ticket. Do you think - and that was kind of the original question - that "blue humor" just sells better? -Christof
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<BR>Cards don't cheat people. People cheat people. |
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Simon Lovell V.I.P. 506 Posts |
Actually the Hobbies show is not advertised here in NYC as a magic show at all. Magic is just a small part of it. Has "blue" humor a place in magic? Or even comedy? Or theater? etc etc ... that's the personal choice of the performer. If it works generally for them and they are working and making a living then ... obviously ... there is a place for it for them! I'm not a lover of censorship apart from self censorship (yes there are some topics that even I won't do material about!) and tell people that if they don't like adult language and adult situations then don't come to the show. Much like being able to turn off a TV program they don't like I don't force anybody to watch me! I will always tell magicians who ask that this is not a show where they'll see a ton of magic ... if that's what they want they are much better off seeing me lecture or at a magic convention where the performances are much more magic heavy.
As for this being my "new" humor nothing could be further from the truth. When I work conventions etc I have performance pieces that involve magic and are devoid of any bad language or adult humor but I've always had the the edgier shows when working. The guys in Cambridge saw the show in NYC and so knew exactly what they were booking, specifically requesting the Hobbies show. The only piece I left out was the sleight-of-hand gambling routine because I didn't think it would fit the stage properly. Sad that you missed the one sleight-of-hand heavy piece! Anyways I hope that somewhere through you show you saw a trick or two and maybe forced a smile now and then! Simon |
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bitterman Inner circle 1189 Posts |
Based on the Cambridge show, I would say 'no', as your friends and myself seemed to be the only people at the show. I was kind of shocked at the low turn out. I made sure I was there early to get a seat.
If you are not cheating, you are only cheating yourself.
Dutchco is about to put out some new Ebook: DUTCHCO. Get 'em while you can. |
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isaacfawlkes Loyal user FL 256 Posts |
Of course "Blue Humor" Has it's place in magic, as in every other form of entertainment. Some of the best known magic performers in the world do "Blue act" In England there is a tradition of "Working man pub shows". Two of the funniest and most highly respected performers work (or worked) these shows. Terry Seabrooke does the exact same show for a family audience as his x rated show. the only difference is the patter. Terry Rogers was one of the most brilliant performers of our time but she(accually her puppet) was rude and filthy. Both were huge sucsesses around the world. They both knew that there was a time and place for "Blue" material. It was always fun to see Terry Seabrooke's late night x rated show, then go to his family show the next night at a convention and watch everyone who had seen the show the night before lean over to their wife's and whisper "last night he said **** here.
Blue material is not more effective in one country or another it is universal. It has been used for a cheap laugh in many settings (Comedy Clubs) but it can be used with great impact and to enhance a performance also. As a performer I ussually work clean. Clients ask and I tell them that this face doesn't look like those words would come out of my mouth. On stage they don't but off stage they do like most of us. If you don't like using that material then don't, if you don't like hearing it get up and leave. It's that simple. Any performer has a choice, and so do you. |
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God-glorified Special user 697 Posts |
WOW I have seen MANY of those world comedy tours programs and I was actually insulted by so many Australian and British comedians having such dirty humor. I do however recognize that many comedians in America are dirty as well. WHAT SHALL WE DO?!?!
Heres an idea, find the clean comedians. THIS IS FOR YOU CHIRTOF: becuase I like you and the stand you have for clean comedy, I have listed below some of my FAVORITE comedians that reg. work clubs and theatres yet have nearly any dirty material. These guys were and are top headliners and some FUNNY modern comedy without the blue. However, just to make sure, I placed an asterisk beside the ones who I know for a fact not use one swear word or one dirty joke Daren Streblow* Jeff Allen* Nazareth* BILL COSBY* (i think his clean success was neglected here) and hes STILL headlining John Branyan* Scott Wood* Thor Ramsay* Ray Romano (havent seen all his specials but the ones I have ALL clean) Red Skelton* Bob Newhart * Norm Crosby (hated blue material) Skip Stephenson (sadly died at 53) Bob Smily * Isaac Witty * BONE * Ron Pearson * Ken Davis* The UNCOMPERABLE VICTOR BORGE!! Each one of these comedians has a CD or DVD out and can be found by a simple google search. This is not to debate with you but share some fun I have had with my favorite clean USA comics. HOPE YOU ENJOY!!!!
Ephes. 2:8-9
For by GRACE are ye saved through faith; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES: it is the gift of God: NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast. |
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Chris Becker Veteran user New York, NY 371 Posts |
Hey, thanks! I like the way this thread is going!
Victor Borge is great, I'll check the others out... Best, Christof
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<BR>Cards don't cheat people. People cheat people. |
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C Christian Loyal user 288 Posts |
You forgt to add on to the list...
Jerry Seinfeld Jeff Dunham There is a market for Blue Humor plain and simple.... There also is a market for Clean Comedy... So get in line and take your pick. Bookers really don't care what type you are unless they are booking for a specific group. Bottom Line just be funny and entertaining. It's strange in todays world where everything has to be so PC most people want to just for an hour or two get away from that and thus they go to a club and sure enough some get entertained, and Some get offended (the nature of the beast). Also I believe whole hartedly that Tctahoe is correct, it is the cheap way out and quickest way to make a buck. So what! Let them, it doesn't effect me nor do I allow it to effect me. So this makes for a great conversation but in the end it will never change and I am sure will only get worse. Cheers Chris |
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magicalaurie Inner circle Ontario, Canada 2962 Posts |
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On 2006-03-21 16:42, God-glorified wrote: |
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God-glorified Special user 697 Posts |
HAHA glad to see theres more victor borge fans out there!!!
Christian, thanks for mentioning Seinfeld, hes another one of my favorites for being clean, however, when I saw him LIVE a few weeks ago he was TREMENDOUS but said a few words that I wouldnt repeat. Even though they werent necessarily foul and would keep me from listening to him, it was just enough to sway from the former list. Something interesting that Seinfeld said about this topic on his CD. (Not blue comedy but swear words) "Telling a joke is like running on a race track. When you get to the finish line, that's the punchline and point where they laugh. Using a swear word (at times) is like cutting through the track and getting to the finish line. Im not opposed to it necessarily, I just choose to run the whole way round." Hope you enjoy
Ephes. 2:8-9
For by GRACE are ye saved through faith; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES: it is the gift of God: NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast. |
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Chris Becker Veteran user New York, NY 371 Posts |
I also wanted to say one more thing re Simon's show. I agree there are certainly venues where "blue" humor is called for and - as we see from Simon's successful run in NYC - people pay to see it. I didn't know the "Hobbies" show was meant to be mainly non-magic. Accordingly, the main mistake was obviously made by the organizers. They booked a comedy act (of a certain genre) for the mystery lounge! My friends and I expected Simon the Magician.
Since I'm moving to NYC in the fall, I will be very happy to come to the hobbies show once again - with a different set of expectations. And, yes, I again greatly enjoyed the strait jacket routine and card to mouth. -Christof
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<BR>Cards don't cheat people. People cheat people. |
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magicalaurie Inner circle Ontario, Canada 2962 Posts |
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On 2006-03-21 22:50, Christof wrote: I wouldn't say that's certain. |
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bitterman Inner circle 1189 Posts |
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On 2006-03-21 23:18, magicalaurie wrote: Believe it or not, there are times when an adult likes to go see adult entertainment. In fact, it is a multi-billion dollar industry ranging from XXX DVDs and stage shows to that PG-13/R movie playing at the Mall. I, myself, have been involved in productions that I wouldn't want my grandma to see and morning radio shows aimed at the soccer mom driving the kids to school in the mini-van. You can not be all things to all people but certainly you can adapt to fit your venue.
If you are not cheating, you are only cheating yourself.
Dutchco is about to put out some new Ebook: DUTCHCO. Get 'em while you can. |
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magicalaurie Inner circle Ontario, Canada 2962 Posts |
Believe it or not, I'm an adult.
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Simon Lovell V.I.P. 506 Posts |
I think this thread is interesting in that it does show very clearly that we are all different. Some people like nice clean comedy whereas others do like the more raunchy material. Others still may like observational or political comedy and yet others love slapstick and prop humor. In all areas there are successful performers because audiences exist for all the genres. It really only becomes a problem when somebody who likes one genre ends up at a show that is not what they expected.
I don't believe that there is such a thing as "blue" humor persay, only humor which is unsuitable for the audiences expectations. Perhaps the bookers need to learn to advertise the performers more clearly. Those who like the "sex, drugs and rock and roll" type show may well be as equally disappointed by watching a clean comedian as somebody who likes clean comedy would at a raunchy show! Just a quick ten cents worth! Simon |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Simon hits on a great point. The only real sin in performance of any sort is to disappoint the audience. IF they expect so called "blue" humor then you had better give it to them.
If they expect it clean then same applies. If they want a bunch of religious bashing then do that. It is whoever books the shows job to define the need of each and every client and to fill that need with the proper performer. Many comedy clubs actually tell you so you know before you come in. Connections in Toledo jumps to mind. They have the equivilant of a steak doneness chart you see in steakhouses to tell you how to order your meat. They tell you if it is intelectual, clean, dirty and so forth. It does help! Posted: Mar 22, 2006 2:41pm That all being said you can indeed limit your venues by only doing "blue" humor. Or for that matter by only doing "clean" humor you may do the same thing.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
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Vandy Grift Inner circle Milwaukee 3504 Posts |
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On 2006-03-22 14:40, Dannydoyle wrote: The difficulty comes when you try to determine what each and every person in the audience "expects". That is not easy to do. An audience is not one gigantic being with one mind. It's a group of individuals. And what percentage of the audience CAN you disappoint before you are the guilty of comitting the "real sin". We all know you can't please everyone. Or can you? Every single time? Boy, you better be pretty vanilla, pretty milquetoast if you are going to be all things to all people. Vandy
"Get a life dude." -some guy in a magic forum
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Corona Smith Inner circle Airstrip One 1689 Posts |
So did we find out if Americans have a sense of humour or what?
Great minds think alike and fools seldom differ. Corona |
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