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“Comedy is tragedy plus time.” |
Finally, for those out there that don’t like to laugh, they might be best served by a quote from another lady of show business, Julia Roberts:
“Show me a person who doesn't like to laugh and I'll show you a person with a toe tag.”
I was on stage performing last night and there was an overabundance of cables crisscrossing the stage. To avoid being caught up, I slung the microphone cable over my shoulder. In a snap, someone in the crowd yelled “Shumka!” and just as quickly, I knew what he was referring to. Dave Shumka does this move most times when he’s on stage, and it gives him the distinct look of a mountaineer.
Dave Shumka and I host a podcast together (http://www.maximumfun.org/shows/stop-podcasting-yourself) and have done so since 2008. It has become my favorite thing to do in comedy, and Dave is largely to thank for that.
It was his idea to do the podcast and I agreed to be a part of it because I knew Dave was not only funny, but that we had a good rapport and a sense of timing. I began to sense this one night when I was giving away a prize as part of the show I used to host at El Cocal. It was a homemade clock that featured Van Halen. Off the cuff, I said “The great thing about this clock is that every time is…” and I waited for someone to ring in with the punchline I assumed was obvious. The only person who got it was Dave who was standing outside and rushed into the venue to yell “Right Now!” I nearly lost my mind with laughter.
Dave has not only become a great podcaster and comedian but a great broadcaster on CBC Radio 3 (The Shumka Chunk: http://radio3.cbc.ca/#/bands/Dave-Shumka) and a prolific and hilarious blogger, (http://kidcasting.tumblr.com/) who has been featured in Entertainment Weekly.
It’s hard to sum up an article written about a friend and collaborator with a glib comment, so I won’t. I just hope my temporary imitation on stage serves as a more comprehensive form of flattery than what I am able to muster here.
If you want to know more you can got to: http://daveshumka.tumblr.com/
Dave was kind enough to answer some questions for Vancouver Is Awesome.
When was the last time you laughed until you cried?
Probably at The Paul F. Tompkins Show in LA in May. I can't remember specifically what was so funny. Yeah, that's right. Sometimes I go to other cities and can't remember things about them.
What is one myth about live comedy you’d like to dispel?
That you have to go to a comedy club. Comedy clubs aren't for everyone, but there are a dozens of weekly shows in restaurants, bars, and tiny theatres in this city. Sometimes they're amazing, sometimes they're not.
What would be your idea of a perfect venue?
A small 100-seat theatre, and the audience is full of people I've never met and they're completely in the dark. And then - spoiler alert - it turns out I've been dead the whole time.
What do you think is a comedy premise that needs to be retired?
I sort of think that there are no premises that are off-limits. I'm always amazed at the way some people can put a new spin on an old idea. Having said that, are we still supposed to be laughing at the fact that Ben Stiller's character's last name is Focker?
Between, blogging, stand-up, Twitter, podcasting and radio, you have many avenues through which you convey your sense of humor. How does this strengthen your comedic voice?
You're right. I am pretty great. I think it strengthens my comedic voice because I simply need to come up with a greater volume of material than when I was just doing stand-up. I generally try not to have too much overlap either, so the same joke doesn't end up in more than one forum.
You are an excellent editor. How important is the editing process to comedy?
You're right. I am pretty great. In terms of the podcast, I don't really edit any material out; I just edit it for audio quality. If the audio is no good, nobody is going to listen long enough to hear any of the jokes. In terms of everything else, the only editing I do is just filtering out the ideas that are way too dumb to share, and I have fairly low standards for that.
Why is Vancouver a good place for comedy?
It's a good place for comedy because there's a good mix of audiences. There are great, smart, enthusiastic crowds that let you try new things. There are also horribly apathetic and rude audiences that make you work harder. It's probably beneficial to perform in front of both, though my ideal audience member is a belligerent UFC fan in an Ed Hardy shirt.
Who is one performer/group of performers you think everyone should see at least once?
The cast of Little Fockers.
What is your favorite joke (street of otherwise)?
I really love the Norm MacDonald joke about junior dancers on Star Search. I'd type out the whole 6-minute bit, but you know...
Every article about comedy has to have a pun in the title. What would you like yours to be?
Shummer Lovin'?
