Adventures From Fool's Night II

I took another attempt at stand-up comedy last night on the main stage at Side Splitter’s Comedy Club in Tampa. This time, I wasn’t high on flu medicine or quite as sick.

It was a comedy contest with the winner eventually winning $500 and an all expenses paid trip to beautiful Knoxville, Tennessee. The reason for the bizarre destination is due to the fact that Side Splitter’s has a sister club there in Knox Vegas, as they affectionately call it. Along with the cash and accomidations, the eventual winner gets to perform there at the club as well.

I was among the thirteen who vied for the prize. I took the opportunity to check out who I was up against by googling them and watching their videos on YouTube. I thought it was an amateur contest, but some of these comics were definitely seasoned pros. By the end of the night, the judges would whittle the contestants down to five from the group and push them through to the next round. Knowing that I would have no chance at winning, I tipped my cup back and hoped for the best.

I was a bit more prepared this time. I even made a set list. The first time I went out I didn’t think that it was necessary. Wrong. I got to thinking that after 23 years of playing in bands, I have always relied on a setlist to guide me. No need to stop now…

I only forgot a few of my jokes. Unfortunately, they were some of the best ones I thought. Everything happens so fast once you are on the stage that it is real easy to pass right over some punchlines. Oh well, I’ll get better. After all, it was only my second time ever doing stand-up and I was catapaulted to the finals of a contest.

I’m not even funny. Really.

So yes, I will continue to try this thing called stand-up comedy. Looking at the calendar, there should be a few more opportunities for me to hone my craft…or make a fool of myself sometime in December, including a stop off at The Tampa Improv. More on that later.

Comedy Isn't Easy, But It's A Hellua Lot Cheaper Than Therapy

Everyone has been asking me how the debut comedy gig went at Side Splitters. To say that it was a learning experience would be a great understatement. No matter how much you prepare for something that you do for the first time, until you do it, you are never ready. I had six weeks to prepare six minutes of stand-up comedy. Sounds easy, right? Think again.

For six weeks I kept a list on me at all times, making notes on what I thought was funny. I assembled a loose routine knowing that I would probably start rambling anyway. So, I paid my $12.56 admission to get through the door. Yes. I paid admission. What a racket this comedy thing is. I checked in and was given the option of being the 12th or 21st comic. Being that I had been sick all day and wasn’t properly lubricated yet, I chose 21. Seemed like a lucky number.

When the emcee finally called my name, I thought, “Oh sh*t, here we go”. Then suddenly my mind went blank. All of those thoughts on paper…gone. Just the bright lights on my face and a room full of people at near capacity. Looking at me. Waiting for me to be funny.

That. Is pressure.

So, I just went with it. I mumbled and sputtered. I tried to add in all of my shtick that I could remember. And I made the best of it. I got a few laughs. And a lot of applause from the many of my great friends and family that were in attendance to support me. And I got through it. I was reminded that nothing is ever as easy as it seems. But having a live microphone and a crowd of people hanging on your every word…that’s therapy.

Oh, and the $12.56 admission price also included your first drink and all of the pizza that you could eat. My drink? A shot of Crown. Chilled. For better lubrication.

Viva Knox Vegas Comedy Finals

For those of you who cannot make my stand-up comedy performance on November 11th at Side Splitters in Tampa, you can redeem yourself by coming to the Viva Knox Vegas Comedy Competition Finals on November 18th at Side Splitters.

I will be competing at the chance for an all expenses paid trip to play the Side Splitter’s Comedy Club in Knoxville, Tennessee. Sure, its not a vacation destination by any means. But I’ve been making hillbillys laugh for years. Afterall, I have plenty of family in good ‘ol Knox Vegas. I should fit right in. Plus, they’re going to pay me!

Regular price tickets are $15. But, you can get them for only $10 by visiting www.sidesplitterscomedy.com Use the promotional code:BN (As in Bob Noxious)

So make your plans now. Wednesday November 18, 2009 at 8:30PM.

Side Splitters Comedy Club is located at 12938 North Dale Mabry in Tampa, Florida. It is in the same parking lot as the Chili’s restaurant at the corner of Fletcher and Dale Mabry.

The Bob Noxious Comedy Debut

File this under the “what in the hell was I thinking” category. I will be making my stand-up comedy debut at Side Splitter’s Comedy Club in Tampa on Wednesday November 11th. Either I am destined to fail and flounder miserably, or it will be the start of something entirely new for me.

Please, please, please make plans now to attend. Tickets are only $8 in advance and they are available through www.sidesplitterscomedy.com. Call 813-960-1197 for more information.

The Dive Bar Stalkers This Friday September 18th at Skippers Smokehouse In Tampa

Skippers