EXTREMELY PROFESSIONAL

When I received the "40 under 40" award as from Chicago Lawyer Magazine years ago, the title was "Extremely Professional." I think it was a quote from one of my friends who they interviewed for the piece who nominated me, who probably said it in jest, since we were idiots in college together.

Nonetheless, I pride myself on professionalism in comedy and apply it to all parts of my comedy career, whether its working with other comedians, staff or bookers. Of course, the comedy world is not always professional and, neither am I. I have two major faults: time and geography. As a result, I am sometimes late to shows or show up, right in time. I have been known to get lost and also to walk (or drive) right past a club, based on my reliance on a faulty google map.

I have been fortunate to be on time for most of my shows in the last 10 years, but "on time" includes being there with seconds to spare. (Very) Recently I was stuck in traffic (car accident, rain, construction) and got to the show a few minutes before my actual spot but after the host and feature has already started. I did not anticipate an extra hour of delays, especially since I have a lead foot when driving. Still, not a great first impression for a club I had never worked at, but I give constant updates and I think the owner and manager appreciated that. I had a great show. The club owner was very cool, accommodating and professional and worked with me to make the show a success. Everyone had fun. Everyone had laughs.

Only one time was I late to a show and actually missed my spot. Well, the promoter cancelled my spot, even thought the club was more than willing to accommodate me. There was a misunderstanding on my part as to when the show started, but the club manager told me I would be still okay at the time I thought the show was to start, so I ran (literally) in to do my set. The show promoter, also a comedian, decided that the show needed to move on without me and put up one of his friends instead when I did not show up on time. I was not given a courtesy call or any sort of professional courtesy or warning, even when I offered to reduce my own time and after the club where the show was actually was ok with my tardiness. It was a judgment call on the promoter's part and in fairness, it was the promoter's show, but I know I would have handled it differently. Being "extremely professional", if the tables were turned, I would have put the comedian up anyways, since he showed up or at least called him to tell him not to bother coming if I put up my friend instead. I still need to be on time, though! #comedy #standup #professonalism