Al Nye The Funny Guy?
I took a Stand-Up Comedy class this spring at the local comedy club. It was taught by Tim Ferrell and was a great experience. I did it for a couple of reasons – one of which was to help me teach a class to trial lawyers about presentation techniques that stand-up can help improve. I'm getting Tim Ferrell and a wonderfully funny local comedian, Karen Morgan (a former lawyer and Maine’s funniest Mom), to help me. The idea isn't original with me. David Swanner (of South Carolina Trial Law Blog fame) gave me the idea and was even kind enough to provide me with some written materials for a course that he and Manny Oliveira put on. I've performed on stage several times since taking the class but my "big break" came last week.
On July 28th and 29th I was fortunate to be one of the guest comics opening for undoubtedly Maine's funniest comedian: Bob Marley. It was a great experience. I opened for Bob for 3 sets at the Comedy Connection of Portland on Friday the 28th and 4 sets the next night. Dennis Hunt hosted the shows and Shane Kinney also performed. They are very funny guys who both did a great job.
The place was packed for each show – Bob Marley is such a popular comedian here in Maine that he sells out wherever he performs. It was great fun and Bob was so gracious to allow me – as a rank novice – to work with him. He's done shows in all the top comedy clubs in the country, appeared in the best hotels in Vegas, been on the Tonight Show, Letterman, Conan O'Brien and many others. He's taping a half-hour show for Comedy Central in New York this month and he's also appeared in half a dozen movies. I could go on and on about his many professional accomplishments.
Yet he is the most humble and down-to-earth person you ever want to meet. He's, quite simply, a class act.
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