| Interviews |
| Terms | FAQ | Staff | About Us | Contact Us ©2005-2007 STAGE TIME - The Magazine That Stands Up For Comedy. All rights reserved. |
BACK ISSUES INTERVIEWS Stand-Up Comedians Jim Norton Robert Kelly Donnell Rawlings Brad Stine Tammy Pescatelli Leighann Lord George Sarris Nick DiPaolo Russ Meneve Shang and more By Tasha Harris, NYC Comedy Journalist STAGE TIME The Magazine That Stands Up For Comedy |
Yeah, but you should never be afraid to get paid.
Right, but there’s an added thing in show business is that people are very desperate to get on
TV and be a star…You’re chasing a dream so there’s a much added level of desperation
involved. I go out to L.A. and people still don’t get paid for club spots. At least in New York, it’s
more about the art. If you’re in L.A. trying to be a comedian, they will not pay you because they
know you’re there to be a star.
What should comics be more concerned about: fame or getting paid?
There’s plenty of money coming in from stand-up comedy that you can have a piece of that for
what you’re doing right now. It shouldn’t be that all the club owners get all the money and
maybe you get a shot of being a star. There’s plenty of money coming in. The artist is very
much a part of that money and the reason why it’s coming in.
The fame thing – I don’t think you should really chase that. You should try to be the best artist
you can be. Work on that and if the fame happens, great but if it doesn’t, there’s plenty of
money to be made in the clubs.
- Tasha Harris, Spring 2006
To view Russ Meneve's club schedule, click here.
Right, but there’s an added thing in show business is that people are very desperate to get on
TV and be a star…You’re chasing a dream so there’s a much added level of desperation
involved. I go out to L.A. and people still don’t get paid for club spots. At least in New York, it’s
more about the art. If you’re in L.A. trying to be a comedian, they will not pay you because they
know you’re there to be a star.
What should comics be more concerned about: fame or getting paid?
There’s plenty of money coming in from stand-up comedy that you can have a piece of that for
what you’re doing right now. It shouldn’t be that all the club owners get all the money and
maybe you get a shot of being a star. There’s plenty of money coming in. The artist is very
much a part of that money and the reason why it’s coming in.
The fame thing – I don’t think you should really chase that. You should try to be the best artist
you can be. Work on that and if the fame happens, great but if it doesn’t, there’s plenty of
money to be made in the clubs.
- Tasha Harris, Spring 2006
To view Russ Meneve's club schedule, click here.
Russ Meneve is so right about performers being paid. How did this idea take hold that you're
worth nothing while you are getting better? This notion is the ultimate in anti-work and
anti-family policies. Do entry-level workers in other businesses get nothing for their contribution
to the bottom line? Of course not, and comics should share in the economic activity in which they
participate.
The club owners make an enormous profit on liquor and require a cover charge. Bringer Shows
should also be addressed. Yes, there is a difference between open mics and bringer shows and
what people like Russ do but the clubs should at least split the cover charge with the people who
are literally providing the audience. The work of the New York Comedian's Coalition was a good
beginning, but can you believe the ruckus over a measly $20? Much more still needs to be done.
-Ed Ayres
worth nothing while you are getting better? This notion is the ultimate in anti-work and
anti-family policies. Do entry-level workers in other businesses get nothing for their contribution
to the bottom line? Of course not, and comics should share in the economic activity in which they
participate.
The club owners make an enormous profit on liquor and require a cover charge. Bringer Shows
should also be addressed. Yes, there is a difference between open mics and bringer shows and
what people like Russ do but the clubs should at least split the cover charge with the people who
are literally providing the audience. The work of the New York Comedian's Coalition was a good
beginning, but can you believe the ruckus over a measly $20? Much more still needs to be done.
-Ed Ayres
Your Feedback: