Opening For Eddie Money

Here’s a photo of Eddie Money and his band performing at an event in Albuquerque a few nights ago. I was lucky enough to be hired to open for the band. I didn’t meet Mr. Money but I did get a chance to chat a bit with his drummer, Gregg.

Judd Apatow's Funny People

Long ago during the big comedy boom, I was opening at the Improv in San Diego for a feature act who’s name I’ve forgotten and headliner Jake Johannsen. I was standing outside the club looking at the posting of upcoming acts when the club manager came out to chat. I asked him, “Who’s Judd Apatow?” He said, “The only funny person.” I asked, “I’m not funny? Jake’s not funny? None of these other comedians on your schedule are funny?” He said, “Right. The only funny person is Judd Apatow.”

I’m not sure if that’s true but, the film Funny People is a mostly honest look into the lives of the people who are drawn to one of the hardest professions in the world.

The inside “jokes” are worth the price of admission. Adam Sandler’s character being cast in buffoonish roles because he’s a comedian, the “funny but still haven’t made it” guys sitting around the table still waiting for their “big break”, the insipid sitcom that everybody still wants to be on because, well, it’s a “regular job.”

At times it was a tough movie for a “still haven’t made it” comedian to watch. But it was honest and pretty funny. (Not “only funny person” funny but still funny.)

Goodbye, George.

George Carlin, May 12, 1937 - June 22, 2008.