Life a funny thing
“Comedy is simply a funny way of being serious.”- Peter Ustinov
Last night I appeared on writer/singer/comedian Lynn Bixenspan’s (@lynnbixenspan) “Relationshi! The Fourthening” in the capacity of an expert, along with Wilson McDermut (@WilsonMcD), who is an actual psychologist/professor, in the midst of making the transition to full-time comic, giving life advice to comic/good-soul Charles Gould (@middleKidGould). I didn’t know what to expect–I went because it seemed like a fun time, and because I enjoy telling people what to do giving advice (surprise, surprise)–and it was a pretty amazing night.
Huge respect to Lynn for having the great idea of a comedy show wherein you could laugh, and maybe also get some help, as opposed to the average comedy show, filled with bitter people, with social skills that would make a pedophile wince, hate-fucking the audience, as they complain about their inability to find love. And you think, “Oh wait, your seething rage doesn’t lure women?? Hmm…go on….”
Anyways, I think I held my own, but in my opinion, without question, the true star of the night was Charles Gould for having the HUGE balls to discuss, honestly, his issues with himself, his life, dating, and maybe oh, one or two salient points about his (wonderful) mother, with two utter strangers in front of a packed theater of strangers. I mean, I like to flatter myself that I’m fairly fearless, but in that situation, I’d be taking hostages in order to get the hell out of there. However, Charles was the real deal: fearless, honest and open. (He probably still doesn’t realize how brave his behavior was.) In an email thanking all of us who participated and made her vision come true, Lynn wrote, “I don’t care if that’s overly sincere…” I think her sincerity is exactly what made the night so authentic and compelling.
Anyway, I had a great time, and considering the audience’s reaction–live, loud and emotional–and how many people came up to me afterwards, asking for my card, who knows…maybe we actually helped some people to start thinking differently about things? Can’t ask for more!
Here’s Wilson McDermut & myself, hanging out afterwards:
