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Jokes & Comedians/Questions
| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
| comedian's name | 12/25/2004 | Tom |
| Q: A problem with getting old is that you get mad at yourself for not being able to remember things. ... A: Mark -- Sorry for the delay in my response. I read the message and wanted to think about it to see ... | ||
| Nimitz humor | 12/20/2004 | Tom |
| Q: Neither available expert in the Jokes & Comedians category seems particularly qualified for my ... A: Jim -- This is an interesting question, but I wasn't able to find anything promising in the ... | ||
| Jokes and One-Liners | 12/18/2004 | Matt McDonald |
| Q: I work as an executive with a staff of 200 people. I have 100s of business engagements, cocktail ... A: Matthew, I wrote my own material, so I didn't use joke books, etc. Therefore I have no advice to ... | ||
| How to structure an act, transitions | 12/17/2004 | Matt McDonald |
| Q: Hey Matt, I've always wanted to make a serious attempt at stand up so I've been reading lately on ... A: Paul, RE: TYING MATERIAL TOGETHER In a certain way, you need to be careful – to some extent, ... | ||
| Mark McDonald | 12/16/2004 | Matt McDonald |
| Q: A few years ago I saw Mark Mcdonald on a HBO comedy show, Are you related? I really enjoyed his ... A: Mike, Sorry, I'm not related to him as far as I'm aware. Unfortunately, I've not heard of nor ... | ||
| conversion process | 12/14/2004 | Matt McDonald |
| Q: I've done comedic theater, and a little improv, but I'm trying to put together a stand-up routine. I ... A: Devon, The only way to know whether a joke is good or not is to do it on-stage. You can test it on ... | ||
| diving into the amateur pool | 12/14/2004 | Matt McDonald |
| Q: I am in the process on reading your response to another near entry level standup and may find many ... A: Doug, No, comics don't have to start young - I mean, it certainly helps, but it's not a ... | ||
| friends think I'm a hoot | 12/1/2004 | Matt McDonald |
| Q: My friends all think that I am hilarious I can always find something funny to say or a funny look to ... A: Mark, Hi. I think I need to warn you right up front that there's some harsh reality buried in ... | ||
| how to become a comedian | 11/30/2004 | Matt McDonald |
| Q: also how to get my confidence upo enough to be able to go on stage in front of people please write ... A: Nicola, Hi, It's likely you're going to face a problem that I had to deal with too: you're too ... | ||
| Money and amount of material | 11/17/2004 | Matt McDonald |
| Q: 1) Appoximately how much does an emcee/ middler/ headliner usually get paid per act? 2) How ... A: 1)PAY ISSUES Pay issues are very dicey because there are a lot of factors in play. For example, are ... | ||
| length of stand-up acts | 11/12/2004 | Matt McDonald |
| Q: Mr. McDonald- First of all, thank you for answering my previous 3 questions a few days ago. You ... A: Nick - Sorry for the delay in my reply. I am fighting a virus/spyware problem on my PC and have ... | ||
| writing stand-up AND not being "boring" on stage AND "blue" comedy | 11/8/2004 | Matt McDonald |
| Q: 1. What do you do to write stand-up and how do you get a good punch line? 2. What is considered to ... A: Nick, Sorry for the delay in my response. My computer came down with a virus/spyware infection on ... | ||
| How to Prepare for the First Time on Stage | 10/26/2004 | Matt McDonald |
| Q: I appreciate your speedy response to my previous question - I learned a lot in the "practical" way. ... A: Alan, Here you go. As I said, this is a canned response that I have compiled in regard to some of ... | ||
| Good Books on How To Be A Good Stand-Up Comedian | 10/26/2004 | Matt McDonald |
| Q: What are the best avenues for beginners to study to be good stand-up comedians? Are there any good ... A: Alan, Thanks for the question. I used several books when I was first starting out and, generally ... | ||
| where to buy | 10/21/2004 | Tom |
| Q: I heard the Capitol Steps on the radio a few months ago, and would love to know where I could ... A: Morgan -- Aren't they great? When you get your CD, I think you'll find not only that it's ... | ||
| How did you know you were funny? | 10/12/2004 | Matt McDonald |
| Q: People tell me all the time to do stand-up because they say I'm funny. Has this been your ... A: Cliff, The subject of your post is "How did you know you were funny?" so I'll answer that first: I ... | ||
| Thanks! | 9/27/2004 | Matt McDonald |
| Q: Yeah, that was definately very very very informative. And although I did know some of the stuff you ... A: Eyvi, It sounds like you're way ahead of the game - that intelligence will pay off for you when ... | ||
| Hi. I live in Iceland, and... | 9/25/2004 | Matt McDonald |
| Q: I live in Iceland, and have been dabbling in stand-up comedy for a few months now, and am starting ... A: Eyvi, I'll do my best to answer your question, but I have to be honest: I don't know much about ... | ||
| General information | 9/23/2004 | Matt McDonald |
| Q: I love doing comedy and making people laugh. And, I've done a few open mic nights at a comedy club ... A: Jim, Welcome to the addiction. Your life is about to take a radical turn for the difficult. But, ... | ||
| donuts and policeman | 9/13/2004 | Tom |
| Q: I always wondering why people always make jokes about the donuts and policeman? Where this come ... A: Victor -- This is a reference to an American standing joke (stereotype) that police officers spend ... | ||
| Help | 9/1/2004 | Matt McDonald |
| Q: I am considering becoming a stand-up comedian and would appreciate any information you can provide ... A: Kyle, Your question covers a lot of ground, so this will probably be pretty long. I'll break it ... | ||
| Comedy | 8/31/2004 | Matt McDonald |
| Q: When you write back put in a few jokes. Thanks alot. A: Devin, If you get a second copy of this response, I apologize - I thought I sent you an answer ... | ||
| Prop comedian | 8/27/2004 | Matt McDonald |
| Q: I know in the old school of comedy, true comedians don't use props.I on the other hand do. I play ... A: Harley, Well, you've asked a purely subjective question, so my answer will have to be purely ... | ||
| Stand Up Comedy | 8/20/2004 | Matt McDonald |
| Q: Matt - I have a couple of questions. First, I feel I've got the sarcastic wit and sense of humor to ... A: Chris, Sorry for the delay in my response - I forgot to bring my power pack home this weekend for ... | ||
| Capitol Steps - Spoonerism based comedy | 7/4/2004 | Tom |
| Q: I've been asked to deliver a 3-5 minute monologue as part of a theatrical event to raise funds for ... A: Steve -- I can give you my summary "rules" for creating a good piece of this type; since you've got ... | ||
| Jokes? Comedy? How? | 6/18/2004 | BIG DAVE |
| Q: I really wanna be funny a become a famous comedian, but one problem... i dont find myself funny my ... A: Not being funny is more than a problem, its an obstacle. However its not an insurmountable one. I do ... | ||
| is this good? | 6/9/2004 | BIG DAVE |
| Q: heres a classic: why did the chicken cross the road? Because it bloody well wanted to! How was ... A: Bombing with a british accent is better than a local twang, but its still bombing. I am tired to ... | ||
| Capitol Steps | 4/26/2004 | Tom |
| Q: I saw this terrific group of talented folks perform at a political dinner in Harrisburg last year. ... A: Judith -- Aren't they great? I think it's fascinating to see how they can poke fun at everybody ... | ||
| popular poem | 4/17/2004 | Tom |
| Q: I am looking for a popular poem which begins like this:Show me the way to go home,I'm tiered and I ... A: Jesse -- The information you seek appears to be pretty easily available on the Internet. I'll ... | ||
| Jokes | 4/16/2004 | Susannah |
| Q: Hey, I was searching around on this site and read that you can link me to some great jokes. You can ... A: Proverbs Man who run in front of car get tired. Man who run behind car get exhausted. Man with one ... | ||
| hey | 4/1/2004 | Susannah |
| Q: hey i saw your posting, pretty awesome seeing that there are chicks out there that appreciate a ... A: What do you get if you put a leper in front of a fan? Pizza! What do you do if you see an epileptic ... | ||
| The McIntyres? | 3/23/2004 | Tom |
| Q: Have you ever heard of The McIntyres? Are they comedians or singers? Thanks! A: Aesculapius -- No, I haven't heard of them. I did a little Web searching with the information you ... | ||
| Good Religious Jokes | 3/15/2004 | Susannah |
| Q: One of our clergymen always tells one or two "funnies" at his Liturgical Services. He also asks for ... A: Here's a few funny religious jokes i know: A pastor, known for his lengthy sermons, noticed a man ... | ||
| jokes...... | 3/11/2004 | BIG DAVE |
| Q: In science i have to do a presentation on plastics. i am doing it dressed up like Tommy Cooper. have ... A: 1. If you are over the age of 30 and your job involves inquiring whether or not someone prefers ... | ||
| identify a comedian | 3/1/2004 | Tom |
| Q: I can't remember his name but I saw him on HBO, I think. It was mid-90's and his act was real ... A: Leslie -- I'm afraid I just don't recognize this guy. It sounds as if you're giving a good ... | ||
| poverty | 2/25/2004 | BIG DAVE |
| Q: I know this isn't your specified expertise but I would be very grateful if you can find the time to ... A: Not homeless, but 1. Property Challenged 2. Between residences 3. Indeterminate Campers Actually ... | ||
| 35th birthday ideas | 2/25/2004 | Tom |
| Q: My husband is turning 35 this year and I want to throw him a surprise party, but I need help with ... A: Sally -- This sounds like a clever idea and, especially in an election year, it should offer lots ... | ||
| Age & comedy | 2/17/2004 | BIG DAVE |
| Q: What about just weekend type stuff? Does it work that way?I am 33 and have always been into the ... A: Just dont give up your day job. There should be alot of workshops in your area. Not just in comedy, ... | ||
| Stealing Jokes | 2/3/2004 | BIG DAVE |
| Q: I just got started and I hear alot of comics preech dont be a joke stealer. Now I understand this ... A: Don't worry. You will only be accused of stealing someone's material if you're funny. Actually that ... | ||
| Please Help | 2/1/2004 | BIG DAVE |
| Q: I was just wondering if you could help me come up with a Comedy Routine for a show I am planning to ... A: Be happy to give you my opinion. I will not steal any part of your routine. If you wish, with your ... | ||
Tom
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I can answer questions about The Capitol Steps, a political (mostly musical) satire group based in Washington, DC which performs in Washington, around the U.S., and four times a year on public radio. I can answer questions about who is performing which role in Capitol Steps sketches and songs on albumns and can help identify a routine (and which albumn or radio show includes it) based on partial lyrics. I can also provide tips and suggestions for those interested in writing and performing spoonerism-based comedy similar to the Steps` "Lirty Dies."
Experience
I have been a Capitol Steps fan since about 1995. I own all the albumns and have listened to each dozens of times. I have particularly studied (and particularly admire) the "Lirty Dies" routines and I have written and performed material of this sort. Despite the fact that I live halfway across the U.S. from Washington, I've attended many live Capitol Steps performances, including several at their permanent locations in the DC area.
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