This was a really fun week, and I manufactured it myself. I made it happen by piecing it together from scratch, and that’s what has to be done more now than ever before. Comedy used to be a lot more regimented and run by the booking agents. Now it’s all up in the air, everyone for him or herself. There are no rules, and comedians need even more acumen.
I’d say it’s a stone’s throw from complete anarchy, but maybe that’s already here. There aren’t any regulations, and anyone can book a show anywhere they want. This week was a perfect example. On Wednesday I worked in Eau Claire, WI in a dinner theatre that’s now trying comedy once a month. Not only that, the booking agent for it is out of California.
That isn’t how it used to work. It used to be very territorial like professional wrestling a few decades ago before Vince McMahon changed all the rules. He expanded his territory and put everyone else out of business, and even though the others didn’t like it, they were not able to stop him. Now, he’s the only one left. That entire business has totally changed.
Comedy is in the process of changing as well. In the old days, that Eau Claire gig would have been fought over by one of a handful of area booking agents out of either Wisconsin or Minneapolis. There’s also an agency out of Iowa I can think of that might have gotten a shot, but that’s about it. Now with the internet, it’s open season for anyone in the country.
The shows I did on Thursday and Friday were booked directly between myself and Phil Anglin, the club owner. There were no booking agents involved, and he doesn’t even do a regular comedy night at his places. It’s a few times a year, and this was one of them. I had the gig on Saturday with Phil Dunham scheduled for months, so those nights added work.
Phil Dunham approached the blues club himself, and the club wanted to try comedy. He isn’t a full time comic or booker, and the venue isn’t known for comedy. This is how it is these days. I don’t know if it’s good or bad, but there sure is a lot more room for error.
This particular week happened to go splendidly well in every location, but that isn’t the way it will always go. At least when there was a little more structure the quality was a bit more predictable. Most of the gigs had decent sound and lights and accommodations, and the pay scale was relatively set. Now, all of those things are all over the place. It’s scary.
My pay this week was very good, and I had no trust issues with anyone because I was in the hands of outstanding people. Both Phils are honest to a fault, and the people from Eau Claire were totally professional. If every week was like this, comedy would be stress free.
But it isn’t. There are all kinds of scumbags out there who will be rising out of the taller weeds trying to rip comedians off. I see it already happening, and the only thing I can use to stop it is my experience and list of contacts. It’s going to take more hustle than ever for all of us to stay booked every week, and that’s just how it’s going to be. Times have now officially changed, and the business part of show business is even harder to navigate.
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