Dr Earnest Parrot

Wow, i didn't realise how hard it is to mantain this blogging thing. Even when i have stories i want to share, its just a pain making the time to tell it.
Anyhoo last weekend i flew over to Melbourne for the Comedy Festival (stayed there just over 13hrs- a fair part was sleeping). I didn't realise there was a 'Comedy Lock in: 20 hours non stop of comedy which would have been awesome as far as being once in a lifetime and not having to worry about accommodation.
With that aside i was there to see Demetri Martin (thanks Susan). For the uninitiated he's a 32yr old baby faced comedian from NY- You'll see him doing the 'Trendspotting' segments on 'The Daily Show', his comedic style is with an economy of language popularised by Stephen Wright and Mitch Hedburg. He also likes drawing, playing instruments and word games which he incorporates into his act.
I don't quite know what made me want to see him and expend the effort and cashmoney, i've never travelled so far for one event. Something compelled me?- whatever the reason it was worth it.
I was slightly apprehensive, i'd seen enough of his material from his 'Comedy Central Presents' special and elsewhere, i was worried that hearing 'recycled' material would give the show an awkward flow compounded by the fact his style isn't conversational i was expecting scattered familiarity.
What we were treated to however was a pleasant surprise. He had come up with a gimmick where he was confessionally talking to a pyschiatrist about his emotional condition. At first i thought it was just a crutch to tell jokes in an interesting way, as the show progressed i realised the cructh *was* the whole show. I also realised that the show might not be as rapid fire funny as i had expected. But in a good way. The show was split into 5 anecdotes told in the context of 5 random benign moments in his life. Not grand moments like "graduation, the first time i had sex or the other time i had sex" but more mundane moments like the time he made an awkward pick up line on a crowded train and the time he bought the Michael Jackson jacket.

daily show

Saw Atmosphere last weekend. Put on an awesome show, caught me by surprise as it was much better than his last outing.
Popping down to Melbourne to see Demetri Martin. He's got a smiliar style to the late Mitch Hedburg. He also does some spots on the Daily Show for the 'Trendspotting' segment. Download away.

The anarchy of pragmatism

As a creative, I have many rolemodels who embody the different things I value: comedy, social/political comment, PunkRock DIY, Mischief, intelligience. Usually these rolemodels will only have one or two of these qualities, I may also admire the work and less so the person or vice versa.
Directors Robert Rodriguez and Richard Linklater. Radio personalities Sam Seder and Janeane Garofalo of the Majority Report, Jay and the Doctor from TripleJ. The guys beind TV like the Daily Show and Colbert Report, Paul Feig who was behind Freaks and Geeks. But i'd have to say of all the people i admire there's only one guy (team) who's body of work i would gladly take credit for and personalities i would body snatch. That is the South Park duo of Matt Stone and Trey Parker.
After just watching 'Cartoon Wars' a very controversial new episode of South Park which is all the buzz on the internets. It amazes that these guys are still as witty as they've ever been- as they say like a fine wine. I Won't get into too much detail as theres' enough stuff on the net- just go download it.
Basically its a 3-fer for them, 1) They completely rip on Family Guy, a competitor they don't respect and hate beig compared to 2) They comment on the Danish Cartoon furore, and the issues of free speech, sensitivity, terrorism that come with it 3) as well as throwing the gauntlet to Comedy Central to air an image of the Muslim prophet Mohammed.
The beauty of South Park is its evenhanded but to the absurd extreme. Both sides get skewered. Its done so well that people on the opposite side of the argument think that the other side is getting ripped oblivous to the fact that they are being mocked also. Thats the genius of it.
Thats why you will often find people from the Political Right claiming its sticking it to the Left and Vice Versa. Its just common sense, i like the description that Dennis Miller gave of them "The anarchy of pragmatism". You'd think they were super learned and philosophical, but they're really just all about the dick and fart jokes. My kinda guys.

what a morning

oh boy what a crazy morning! First I saw a guy on the train that looked like Alfred E. Nueman- except an Indian version. Then as if that wasn't enough my trouser fly broke and now i'm pantsless. Good times.
I also saw Jason Smith from the Sydney Kings on the train, he must have like an offseason job. Or maybe that was his twin brother Darren.

Rock and Roll

first blog ever! i love you.