20 thoughts on “Don’t Get Distracted: 10 Things Comics Need To Ignore

  1. hit the nail right on the head with all of these.

  2. I take issue with this, mainly #1: It doesn’t matter what other comics are doing, even if it’s stealing my material?

    Or what if you happen to use someone’s t-shirt design on your blog post and don’t link to the shirt or the designer? Should that designer not worry about you?

    http://www.bustedtees.com/hatersgonnahate

  3. Josh Spector says:

    Do you really think a comic stealing your material is going to ultimately prevent you from succeeding?

  4. Do I really think that? Like, for me? I personally don’t think my jokes are worth hoarding, but in no way is joke theft something a comic should ignore. There’s plenty of documented cases where joke theft has ended careers and prevented others. So.

  5. Josh Spector says:

    Whose career was ended by joke theft? I don’t mean the stealer, I mean the person who was stolen from?

  6. tdalton says:

    when was the last time you’ve seen anything from carlos mencia?

  7. 6 100 says:

    Maybe Jim Henson should worry about the aforementioned designer then. Douche.

  8. Andrew Hall says:

    It’s very easy to get sucked into the drama online and off. Ignore it. Drama is best saved for that particular family member…

  9. Robert says:

    One thing I’d add to this list: isolated incidents. That is to say, comics shouldn’t base whether or not they go to a venue or use a certain joke on one time going there or using it. I’ve done many venues where the first time is excellent but subsequent times weren’t always as good. Also, I’ve used jokes that killed the first few times and, then, didn’t do so hot but, upon rehashing them, they killed. Comedy is a longitudinal process; you have to see how places and jokes work out over time.

  10. sheila brown says:

    that was awesome! thank you 🙂

  11. Ray says:

    Yup. Right on! For every comic, regardless of how long you been doing comedy!

  12. Ryan Budds says:

    There are no cases of careers ending from joke theft, for the thief or the victim. Mencia, Wiliams, and Dane are still making great money and writing new stuff. They got called out and moved on, whether they actually did it or not.

    Comics worry about this way too much. Just write new jokes. If someone steals your best joke, write a new best joke. If your joke is truly yours it will be impossible to steal.

  13. Mike says:

    That is nonsense. Scumbags can steal faster than an act can write. How can a new performer get an hour together if it keeps being stolen? The joke does ‘Truly’ belong to anyone who writes it. BUT if another comic does it on TV first then it becomes theirs and the originator will cringe every time they do their own joke. How any true comedian can make light of this makes me shake my head. On a positive note, great ideas above.

  14. Father Paul says:

    I read an aweful lot but rarely comment but that was an excellent article. It was something I really needed to her. Thank you.

  15. Risky says:

    Good tips Josh

  16. Phil Johnson says:

    “Never tell me the odds” – Han Solo

    All good tips Josh. Though tough to implement at times. At some point we all think “Well, why doesn’t THAT guy like me?”

  17. Wayne Manigo says:

    While I love with all the points on this, the one I admire the most is #7. I feel the odds start against comics, and it’s a battle to advance to each level (i.e. ‘open mike to emcee’, ’emcee to feature’, ‘feature to headliner’). THEN….you have to consider additional career options. Are you trying to make TV shows or movies?

    In the film ‘I Am Comic’, Ritch Shydner explained how at the top of his career he shot 7 pilot episodes. None of them were picked up. He continued working in comedy (including co-writing with Jeff Foxworthy), and that why I stress the importance of learning about all employment opportunities around stand up comedy.

    During my interview with Tom Dreesen last year, he explained how performing stand up should the means to a comic’s next goal. No one should play clubs forever, because it will eventually burn you out.

  18. Robbie Robertson says:

    You know, thank you. Seriously. This answered a lot of questions in my head. That was awesome. AND I think it also applies to life in general, don’t you?

  19. Tre says:

    words to live by. I will meditate on this every morning. Very inspirational.

  20. Bill says:

    Solid Josh. I always appreciate your words.

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