STAGE TIME Magazine: NY Comedy Expo

The inaugural New York Comedy Expo
hosted a three-day event May 7-9 at
the NY Improv that provided
opportunities for comedians of all
levels to gain exposure to industry and
expand their education on the craft of
comedy.

Endorsed by Mayor Mike Bloomberg,
the Expo, which was organized in less
than six months, attracted talent from
all over the country and boasted an
impressive list of sponsors such as
MAD magazine, The Learning Annex,
Commerce Bank and NATPE.

Produced by NY Improv owner Marty Fischer along with associate producers Jan Smith and
Annmarie Cunningham, the Expo offered workshops ranging from stand up, improv and
comedy writing to working in the college market and pitching ideas to TV and film
executives. As an extension of the Original Las Vegas Comedy Festival, the Expo presented
the final round of the Laugh Across America Contest, in which Mick Lazinski took home the top
prize. The Expo also had a few surprises. Award-winning comedian-actor Robert Klein signed
copies of his book, The Amorous Busboy of Decatur Avenue and performed a 30-minute set.

Registrants received a tour of MAD magazine’s office
and were later invited to perform at the Play NY Improv
Stage where industry critiqued their sets. The Comedy
Cures Foundation hosted a luncheon/comedy show and
legendary comedians Soupy Sales and Professor Irwin
Corey signed copies of the new DVDs.

The Expo concluded with the dedication of the NY
Improv showroom to the late comedy pioneer Richard
Pryor. Richard Pryor, Jr. participated in the ribbon
cutting ceremony and belted out “Eyes of a Sparrow” a
capella in an emotional tribute to his father. Producers
of the Expo also handed out awards to industry
luminaries such as Silver Saundors-Friedman (owner,
Original Improv) Saranne Rothberg (ComedyCures),
Joey Reynolds (WOR Radio) and Al Martin (owner, NY
Improv) and comedians Professor Corey, whose
acceptance speech drew laughs. “I never trust a
president who doesn’t have a mistress.

I’d rather he screw her than screw us,” he says.
He brings the house down with his closing one-
liner: “A redhead is like toilet on a Russian
ship.” After the awards ceremony, senior comic
Mickey Freeman kept the audience in stitches
with his classic stand-up routine.

Kevin Downey, Jr. resuscitated the restless
crowd with his laugh-out-loud, high-energy act
and ventriloquists Michelle LaFong and John
Pizzi delivered outstanding performances,
making it worthwhile to stay until the end.

The end result was that the roundtable discussion
was done in a similar fashion to speed dating and
the comics pitched in this format, so the second
event was considered part of the first event.

The talent turnout was light and most of the people
were actors, not comics. As a comic and writer, I felt
a little out of place. The talent agents did not have
comics as clients and with the exception of Ken
Pringle from Chucklemonkey.com and Silver
Saundors-Friedman, who was a former comedy club
owner, most of the “experts” were in the acting field.

I had a chance to watch the event and observe
some of the interactions. I also had a chance to talk
to a few of the panelists. I found out that there was
some good advice for comics. Unfortunately, most
new comics have day jobs and may not be able
spend thirty bucks for this experience.

If the goal was to help comics, it did not succeed.
There were people who could have imparted
knowledge, but many people hogged time with the
experts and there was not a real flow that might
have been there if a traditional format was followed.

So, I left disappointed. Many attendees seemed to
enjoy it and had a great time. I heard several
people say that they got a lot out of it. The
workshop should focus more on comedy instead of
acting and be more organized. There is potential,
but it needs a little more oomph.

I caught up with Ken Pringle of Chucklemonkey.com
and asked him three questions. As a road comic
from the West Coast, he brought a different
perspective.

Q&A with Ken Pringle, Chunklemonkey.com

What is the biggest mistake new comics make?

People shouldn’t worry about being “seen” too soon,
they should, however, be worried about selling
themselves too soon. You only have one chance to
make a first impression.

What is your advice to aspiring comics?

Set realistic goals, have a list of big goals along with
a list of smaller goals. Use the small goals as your
marker to getting to the bigger ones.

When is someone “ready?"
You’re ready when you don’t have to ask that
question.

SHERRY HELLING
Comedian, Prattville, AL

The Expo was life changing really.
I had only done four open mics in
the south and flew out to NYC for
the Expo. I was hoping for an
answer if I should get into
comedy or not and it came with a
resounding "yes."

The "Becoming a Stand Up"
workshop was very helpful. It
showed us how to prepare a
media kit, headshots, sound
bites, and importance of creating
a website. The networking events
were great because you were able
to talk one on one with industry
professionals, fellow comedians,
and special guests like Richard
Pryor, Jr. and Robert Klein.

"The Funny World of Publishing"
workshop was extremely informa-
tive. Plus I received two books
signed by the authors signature
for free. The tour of MAD maga-
zine was a wonderful opportunity.
The senior editor gave us his
email and asked us to send ideas
and submissions to him.

The dedication and ribbon cutting
for the Richard Pryor room was a
"once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity.
I am so grateful to all the panel-
ists, comedians, and especially to
Marty Fischer, Al Martin, and Silver
Saundors-Friedman for their input
and positive energy.

They could have just thrown some
speakers together and took our
money, but they didn't. They were
organized, helpful and informa-
tive.

NEW RELEASES
DVDs
Alex Borstein
Drop Dead Gorgeous

Comedy Jump Off
Mark Demayo,
Smokey, Mike Shawn,
Ruperto Vanderpool
and Antman

Pablo Francisco
Ouch! Live From San
Jose

Ralphie May
Girth of a Nation

Carlos Mencia
No Strings Attached

Latin Legends of
Comedy
Joey Vega, Angel
Salazar and JJ Ramirez

Paul Lynde
An Evening With

Lewis Black
Red, White & Screwed

Katt Williams
Live

Michele Balan Live!
(Just Barely)

Bob & Tom Radio:
The Comedy Tour
Drew Hastings, Bob
Zany, Greg Hahn and
Mark Armstrong

Kevin Hart
Live From the Laff
House

Neil Hamburger
The World's Funnyman

CDs
Wanda Sykes
Sick & Tired

Doug Powell
Doug the Helicopter
Pilot

Greg Giraldo
Good Day to Cross a
River

Christian Finnegan
Two For Flinching

Whitest Kids You Know

Russell Peters
Outsourced

George Lopez
El Mas Chingon

Demetri Martin
These Are Jokes

Norm MacDonald
Ridculous

Greg Behrendt
Greg Behrendt Is
Uncool

Blaine Smithson
Live at Club Flamingo

Books
The Book on Hosting
How Not to Suck As An
Emcee
Dan Rosenberg

Backstage at The
Tonight Show: From
Johnny Carson to Jay
Leno

Getting the Joke: The
Inner Workings of
Stand Up Comedy
Oliver Double

Live From Middle
America: Rants From a
Red-State Comedian
Brad Stine