Tommy Johnagin, Top 10 Finalist Last Comic Standing NBC 2010 Season 7

July 26, 2010 by vongsundara · 1 Comment 


Tommy Johnagin
Benton, IL

http://www.tommyjcomedy.com/

Tommy Johnagin., Last Comic Standing 2010, Season 7, on NBC

Tommy Johnagin., Last Comic Standing 2010, Season 7, on NBC

Monday, July 12 Episode: Top 10, Last Comic Standing Season 7

Tommy Johnagin is an interesting fellow. I’m not sure I’m quite his target audience, because there were some things that flew over my head. I don’t know what it is, but his stage presence gives me the cold shoulder. Now that very well may be on purpose, and he’s obviously a very successful comedian, but it certainly doesn’t make me want to pick up the phone and vote for him with topics around ugly strippers and his grandma dying. When I look past the character and delivery, some of the material is actually really well written. It’s too bad that it’s tough to see through the condescending-style delivery (though again, that may be an artistic choice).

Tommy Johnagin was probably the most casual of the performers in jeans an untucked button-up shirt. Not sure it was the right choice for national television, but it’s up to him to craft his character, so who am I to say.

Monday, July 19 Episode: Top 7, Last Comic Standing Season 7

This is going to sound just like last week, but there’s this condescending tone in Tommy Johnagin’s voice that makes me not connect with his material. It’s unfortunate because even though he’s talking about something sympathetic like being cheated upon or getting his heart broken, he still comes off as unsympathetic.

Thank goodness the stylists got to Tommy. Much better this week in different shades of blue with a tie and great pants.

Monday, July 26 Episode: Top 6, Last Comic Standing Season 7

Hmm, can’t say I’m surprised to find out that Tommy Johnagin wears wife beaters and likes to shuck corn.

Oh Tommy Tommy Tommy. I just don’t get it. Once again Tommy starts out with some condescending and anti-female leaning jokes. This dude must have had some really bad experiences with women. Ending on a penis joke was a little strange for a television performance too.

Tommy’s look is very corporate and polished, which might not be the best choice for a comedian. That said, the colours were well matched and the tie was cute.

Filed under: Last Comic Standing
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Myq Kaplan, Top 10 Finalist Last Comic Standing NBC 2010 Season 7

July 26, 2010 by vongsundara · Leave a Comment 


Myq Kaplan
Boston, MA

http://myqkaplan.com/

Myq Kaplan, Last Comic Standing 2010, Season 7, on NBC

Myq Kaplan, Last Comic Standing 2010, Season 7, on NBC

Monday, July 12 Episode: Top 10, Last Comic Standing Season 7

Myq Kaplan’s writing is phenomenal, absolutely phenomenal. He delivers his jokes well, but it’s definitely his writing ability that makes him stand out. Every word has been carefully crafted, which is much appreciated. He doesn’t write in any transitions, though, and he doesn’t stay on a topic for more than 30 seconds. It could be a stylistic choice, but I would like to see some of his ideas developed into longer bits. Still, as he is now, I think he’s the best writer of the bunch.

Myq Kaplan used the same opening as the semifinal round, unfortunately. Myq starts out with a reference to the previous comedian.

Myq Kaplan is totally adorkable. I love, love, love the striped hoodie. In fact, I’m wondering where I can get myself one of those. The pants were maybe a little tight and the button-up shirt didn’t really go with the hoodie, but damn that hoodie makes up for it all.

Monday, July 19 Episode: Top 7, Last Comic Standing Season 7

Great ideas and great writing once again. I think Myq Kaplan will always have that, but it’s some of the other parts of his comedy were a little off. His referencing the timing change he had to go through to adjust to the audience was a little bit much and broke the flow of the skit a bit. It’s never a good idea to complain to the audience that they’re laughing or clapping too much unless there’s a punchline involved (and tonight there wasn’t).

Yet another nice hoodie. Looks like he’s consciously carving out a stage identity, which is a good thing. I’ve got to buy his hoodies, for real.

Monday, July 26 Episode: Top 6, Last Comic Standing Season 7

Myq Kaplan’s opening was a little strange, but I guess it was nice to see him show a different side to his comedy, the musical side.

Myq’s opening callback to Roy Wood Jr.’s nuggets joke was a risky move and didn’t quite go as well as he was probably hoping. Now that we know the comics a little bit, I’m starting to notice some patterns. I’m not so sure I like Myq referencing the crowd’s reaction to his jokes so often, but c’est la vie.

Myq’s outfit was a little bit strange this week. It was like a prison jumpsuit but in a duller colour (this time being grey) with shiny zippers. Let’s hope he can turn this around next week.

Filed under: Last Comic Standing
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Semi-Finalists Review, Last Comic Standing NBC 2010 Season 7

July 12, 2010 by vongsundara · Leave a Comment 

I’ve never watched Last Comic Standing on NBC before, but I decided to cover this year’s 2010 edition (Season 7) because, well, I’m not really sure. I just thought it’d be a cool thang to do. I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the quality of the comedians, and I’m starting to become invested in how each of them do and how far they make it.

Now, being a fellow comedian, I can’t go too hardcore with my opinions here out of professional courtesy, but I’ll certainly point out what I liked about each comedian and whether any of their jokes made me fall off my couch.


Myq Kaplan
Boston, MA

http://myqkaplan.com/

Myq Kaplan, Last Comic Standing 2010, Season 7, on NBC

Myq Kaplan, Last Comic Standing 2010, Season 7, on NBC

Best line: “You know what I don’t see so much in the natural world? Angels.”
Topics: movies based on books, religion and gays

Hmm, interesting way to spell Mike. I wonder if that’s his real name or his stage name. I really enjoyed his set. It was well constructed and split between two sections, the first about books from movies and the second about gays and religion (a topic from my own heart). Great timing and unique delivery too. He’s got all the tools necessary to become successful.


Paula Bel
Los Angeles, CA

http://www.paulabelcomedy.com/

Best line: “Why are you here?”
Topics: Obama looking pissed, reality television

Paula is super dedicated to her character throughout the entire show including interviews and interactions with the judges. Actually I think I liked her interaction with the judges more than her actual set (which was funny too).


Jamie Lee
Dallas, TX

http://www.jamieleecomedy.com/

Best line: “Why’d the chicken cross the road? Because this isn’t working.”
Topics: butter and cocaine, inside jokes, erections

Cute dress. Love the earrings too. Jamie’s got an interesting delivery to her jokes, but I think her stage presence and character aren’t as well defined as some of the other contestants. I agree with the judges that it maybe wasn’t the best set to do for the semi-final round, as she covered cocaine, erections and inside jokes, but I give her marks for being brave.


Mike DeStefano
Bronx, NY

http://www.puppiesandheroin.com/

Mike DeStefano, Last Comic Standing 2010, Season 7, on NBC

Mike DeStefano, Last Comic Standing 2010, Season 7, on NBC

Best line: “That’s Jim Caviezel, that’s not Jesus.”
Topics: kids’ names, grandmothers, bulimia

Aggressive opening clip but funny too. I can tell that he really wants it. I do enjoy New York accents. It was cool that he went into minorities and different names and the differences between grandmothers. Mike’s best line, though, came when he responded to the judges asking him about his Jesus tattoo. Classic. He ended on another threat too. I’m not sure how that’ll play out, but it’s a risky way to go.


Kyle Grooms
Perth Amboy, NJ

http://www.kylegrooms.net/

Best line: “Detroit’s doing so bad, Haiti’s throwing them a benefit concert.”
Topics: people hate New Jersey, Detroit is poor, water theme parks

Kyle’s on-stage persona is definitely polished, but he came off as less likable than before, maybe due to the subject matter this week. It was a lot about hate and economic crisis and countries without water. It’s a bit of a tough sell, but I appreciate him going after this type of material, though.


Shane Mauss
Lacrosse, WI

http://shanemauss.com/

Best line: “She’s never going to ride another roller coaster again.”
Topics: amusement park freak accident, girlfriend and drinking

What an awkward looking dude. Tall and a little undone. It’s never a bad thing to have a unique look, though, for a comedian. I really liked how he constructed his first joke about the amusement park accident. He rode the wave of uncomfort and brought the audience back around.


Adrienne Iapalucci
Bronx, NY

http://www.adrienneiapalucci.com/

Best line: “Birth control is bad for you . . . So is having a kid you hate.”
Topics: living with mom, nanny job, pedophile

That’s quite the name, and quite the strut on to the stage. Adrienne has definitely honed her style and has her delivery and material well-polished.


Alycia Cooper
Temple Hills, MD

http://www.alyciacooper.com/

Best line: “That’s why you got taken out on February 13.”
Topics: side pieces

Alycia did a really good job keeping along the same topic for the whole time. I think the editors cut her short, though, so it was tough to get a total feel of her set.


Felipe Esparza
Los Angeles, CA

http://www.felipesworld.com/

Felipse Esparza, Last Comic Standing 2010, Season 7, on NBC

Felipse Esparza, Last Comic Standing 2010, Season 7, on NBC

Best line: “If you lost 35 pounds, you’d be a good looking guy, kind of.”
Topics: riding the bus, not looking good

Felipe has a great chance to break out in the industry. He’s super unique and identifiable on stage, and his style is his own. He had a few good lines, and I’m hoping he’ll be around to deliver some more later on in the series. He’s just chill and real, and he’s got huge likability.


Jonathan Thymius
Bronx, NY

http://www.messyloser.com/

Jonathan Thymius, Last Comic Standing 2010, Season 7, on NBC

Jonathan Thymius, Last Comic Standing 2010, Season 7, on NBC

Best line: “The good news, they let me eat it.”
Topics: stomach removal, scatterbrain, ventriloquism

I like how Jonathan stayed in character even when he came on to the stage (getting laughs before he even spoke). His look and his slow delivery are great. His last joke took a lot of setup for a little misdirection, but it seemed to work with the audience.


Lil’ Rel
Chicago, IL

http://www.thelilrelcompany.com/

Best line: “Mama gone.”
Topics: funeral

Li’l Rel did more of a performance piece than actual stand-up comedy, but he did it well. I appreciate that he used his entire time and stayed on one long bit. It definitely took him a long to get into his jokes, though, which will hurt him in the long run. On the other hand, you can tell he gave everything he had into his performance, which was great to see.


Jason Weems
Baltimore, MD

http://jasonweemscomedy.com/index2.html

Best line: “He is a monkey.”
Topics: shopping at megastores, eating a banana

Good stuff, though I don’t think the judges really got what he was trying to do. His interaction with the judges didn’t come off as super likable, but I enjoyed his actual comedy set.


Kirk Fox
San Diego, CA

http://web.mac.com/kirkfoxcomedy

Best line: “Even God can’t kill you.”
Topics: upstairs neighbour with a shotgun

I liked Kirk. He was real, and I liked his story about his neighbour. He was a little disparaging to older folks, but sometimes that’s the price of comedy. He had good stage presence, and he was able to stick to a single topic.


Rachel Feinstein
Washington, DC

http://www.rachel-feinstein.com/

Rachel Feinstein, Last Comic Standing 2010, Season 7, on NBC

Rachel Feinstein, Last Comic Standing 2010, Season 7, on NBC

Best line: “Don’t be voluptuous.”
Topics: pronounced hips, grandma impression

Rachel had interesting material, though the transitions weren’t always there. Her grandma impression was effective. I liked how humble she was when she was in front of the judges.


Jesse Joyce
Pittsburgh, PA

http://www.jessejoyce.com/v2/

Best line: “It’s gotta bother pizza delivery guys when they watch porno.”
Topics: actors in movies,

It’s tough to make any comments, as there was only one joke that was shown on air. I did enjoy the bit that I saw of him, though.


Roy Wood, Jr.
Birmingham, AL

http://www.roywoodjr.com/

Roy Wood Jr., Last Comic Standing 2010, Season 7, on NBC

Roy Wood Jr., Last Comic Standing 2010, Season 7, on NBC

Best line: “I don’t care how you met.”
Topics: bad dates, wedding invitations, getting a will, packing condoms

Roy Wood, Jr. definitely has amazing stage presence and delivery. I can definitely tell that he’s been in the industry for a long time. He’s got a real shot at winning this competition, for real. All his material was delivered well and blended into each other well.


Fortune Feimster
Belmont, NC

http://www.fortunefeimster.com/

Best line: “I got in on by a guy the other night.”
Topics: genetics, lesbian

Fortune Feimster is super duper funny. I like her delivery and her jokes are really well thought out. She also had a great way of tying in her life with her comedy while appealing to a broad audience.


Jerry Rocha
Dallas, TX

http://www.jerryrochacomedy.com/

Best line: “It’s like God correcting his mistakes.”
Topics: ugly people on a plane, Mexican carpooling, credit card

That is the hottest impression of a black woman by a white man I have ever heard. Amazing. The judges didn’t like that it was a white guy doing a black impression (which does annoy me a lot with its frequency), but the difference is that this impression was an actual impression instead of a lazy, over-the-top caricature.


Guy Torry
St. Louis, MO

http://www.mrguytorry.com

Best line: “They can see me through the sheets.”
Topics: Obama, Hilary Clinton, KKK

Great stage voice, great stage presence, a little lacking in likability, though . . . especially after that spat with the judges. I’m not sure about doing a Monica Lewinsky joke in 2010, though.


Jacob Sirof
San Francisco, CA

http://www.youtube.com/user/SirofsOfSantaMonica

Best line: “It’s probably better if you wait until they wake up.”
Topics: motorcycle, straight guys hugging

Good set overall. Jacob had great energy and a few nice twists in his storytelling, very good use of misdirection. Jacob brought the crowd back well after the awkwardness that was Guy Torry.


Nikki Glaser
St. Louis, MO

http://www.nikkiglasercomedy.com/

Best line: “If you want a little sister, make your own.”
Topics: breaking up via Skype, teenage pregnancy

Best. Joke. Ever. (Well, at least the best joke I’ve heard all year.) I’m not even sure that Nikki understands how good a joke that was. Nikki is probably my favourite comedian from all these early rounds. I like how dark she went while still remaining likable.


Taylor Williamson
San Diego, CA

http://www.taylorwilliamson.com/

Best line: “I’m like 1 for 0.”
Topics: awkard, girlfriend, queer burger

Troy Williamson got a laugh before he even opened his mouth, which is a sign of a great character. Some of the jokes didn’t live up to his delivery, but I enjoyed the set nonetheless, very very original.


Nick Cobb
Memphis, TN

http://www.nickcobb.com/site/

Best line: “What the hell is he doing here?”
Topics: dumped while stoned, knowing you’ll be dumped

I like how Nick Cobb tied together his whole set around the theme of being dumped. He’s likable too, but it doesn’t seem like the judges responded to him tonight the way they have in the past.


Mike Vecchione
Youngstown, OH

http://www.mikevecchione.com/

Best line: “All things are possible through Christ.”
Topics: being catholic

Mike Vecchione had a good mix of tough guy sensibilities and self-deprecating comic observations. He may have made it further had the other Mike not already gotten through as the tough-guy comedian.


Cristela Alonzo
San Juan, TX

http://www.cristelaalonzo.com/

Best line: “We’ve got to drink it today.”
Topics: Texas, expiration dates

Ooh girl, I could feel the nerves before she went on stage. I could tell how bad she wanted it. She had a good performance, but I could tell she was a bit of an unfinished product (a little too many “uh’s” and long setups). She has lots of potential, though.


Kurt Metzger
Toms River, NJ

http://www.myspace.com/kurtmetzger

Best line: “That’s something old people die to.”
Topics: Tiger Woods

Kurt Metzger is another extremely polished comedian. He definitely knows what he’s doing. His character is well thought out and ties in with his character. He has a really good look, too, for a comedian (odd and memorable).


Laurie Kilmartin
Walnut Creek, CA

http://www.kilmartin.com/

Laurie Kilmartin, Last Comic Standing 2010, Season 7, on NBC

Laurie Kilmartin, Last Comic Standing 2010, Season 7, on NBC

Best line: “You’re the only one that notices.”
Topics: pregnant over 40, Russian boyfriend

Laurie Kilmartin is likable, very very likable. She’d be terrific at corporate comedy, as I don’t think she could ever offend anyone if she tried.


Tommy Johnagin
Benton, IL

http://www.tommyjcomedy.com/

Tommy Johnagin., Last Comic Standing 2010, Season 7, on NBC

Tommy Johnagin., Last Comic Standing 2010, Season 7, on NBC

Best line: “I’m in a contest.”
Topics: fat babies, building a shed, kissing

Tommy Johnagin’s comedy is strangely passive aggressive, and sometimes aggressive aggressive. He has some great material, and I’m sure over time I’ll learn to appreciate his style more and more.


Claudia Cogan
New York, NY

http://www.claudiacogan.info/

Best line: “You’re not Marissa.”
Topics: child abduction, temp agency

I love Claudia Cogan’s look. She’s quirky and pretty at the same time. She had some good material and performed it well.


Maronzio Vance
Charlotte, NC

http://www.imaronziovance.com/

Maronzio Vance, Last Comic Standing 2010, Season 7, on NBC

Maronzio Vance, Last Comic Standing 2010, Season 7, on NBC

Best line: “Can I help the next person?”
Topics: job application

Maronzio Vance is very likable. Sometimes his words slur into each other, and I can’t completely understand him, but he had good material.


Jason Nash
Boston, MA

http://www.jasonnash.net/

Best line: “You’re using it all wrong.”
Topics: wife and kids

Wow, what a unique voice. It definitely helps separate him from the crowd. Comparing your kid to Kim Jong-Il is definitely brave too, though it may have gone too far (or maybe I’m just a prude).


James Adomian
Los Angeles, CA

http://www.jamesadomian.com/

James Adomian, Last Comic Standing 2010, Season 7, on NBC

James Adomian, Last Comic Standing 2010, Season 7, on NBC

Best line: “No, I haven’t watched all of lost.”
Topics: watching television, Gary Busey

James Adomian gives everything he has into his performances, which is admirable. He’s always sweating at the end of his sets, which says a lot. His impressions are definitely spot-on.


Carmen Lynch
Fairfax, VA

http://www.carmenlynch.com/

Best line: “They follow me around like Snow White.”
Topics: dating, sister’s baby

Carmen Lynch has a big face, and I mean that in all the best ways. She has large features just like a model. It’s very expressive and could be a very useful tool in her comedy. It’s nice that deadpan comedy was represented.


Brian McKim
Pennsauken, NJ

http://www.brianmckimcomedy.com/

Best line: “It was cooler where they peed.”
Topics: edible panties, peeing in the pool

Brian McKim reminds me of the comedians that were around me when I was in Calgary. He’s very talented, and I really like his delivery style.

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Hosting at Ian Atlas’ Comedy Brawl at Crown & Tiger wasn’t so bad after all

June 22, 2010 by vongsundara · Leave a Comment 

I just got back from a great night hosting Comedy Brawl at Crown & Tiger in Toronto. Ian Atlas runs a terrific room, and I was really happy to be apart of the show. The Comedy Brawl is basically a competition where the audience votes for their favourite comedian. The top comedian is awarded $50 for the night and the top four comedians move on to the following round. Tonight’s show was round one, so there were a lot of faces performing I didn’t recognize, but some of the comedians definitely had potential.

Tonight’s show was my second time hosting and the first time since my disastrous hosting debut a while back (when I overwhelmed myself by both producing and hosting a show for the first time). Tonight I was much more composed and prepared for the show, and I think it showed.

I’m not going to say that I love hosting or anything, but I’m definitely much more comfortable with it now.

Filed under: Performing
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How To Stand-Up Comedy: Margaret Cho in I’m The One That I Want, Review and Analysis

March 16, 2009 by vongsundara · Leave a Comment 

I’ll be examining the ins and outs of stand-up comedy in my new series of articles titled How To Stand-Up Comedy (and yes, I’m aware the title is grammatically incorrect).

For this opening article, I decided to dissect Margaret Cho’s first feature, I’m The One That I Want, to try and gauge what it is that makes Margaret Cho so damn successful and applying those elements to my own comedy.

I first saw I’m The One That I Want during its initial run through independent theatres across North America. I was instantly drawn to Margaret Cho’s brand of humour, as I was a huge fan of her network television show, All-American Girl. If you haven’t already seen “I’m The One That I Want,” then you need to go down to your local video store and rent it immediately. If it’s not at the major video stores then try the video store in the gay village, I guarantee they’ll have a copy.

Read more

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