“And the water rolls down the drain
The blood rolls down the drain
O, what a lonely thing In a blood red drain
July, July, July!
It never seemed so strange...”
The Decemberists
So, This month I spent a weekend at Silverleaf and left Oklahoma for NC before this August, when I'll be heading back north for MIRF. So, mainly, it's some sad goodbyes and a lot of travel, and then sitting around waiting. So I want to take this time to discuss some of what builds a Tortuga, at least this one. I want to talk about some of my personal comedy Icons. I invite the rest of the boys to join in at some point!
When I say comedy icons, I'm speaking of two types of performers: those I see influencing my comedy stylings, and those whom I just admire above all others. Obviously, there's a lot of overlapping. But while I flatter myself in thinking I operate in a comedy lineage of The Kids In The Hall, I know that as much as I admire Louis CK, above all other comedians, he and I don't have similar comic stylings.
Also, I should point out that I'll probably refer to myself in various terms (comic, comedian, performer, hack). It's tough to say exactly how I see myself professionally, honestly- I spent a few years as an Actor, and certainly still am. But the shows, and more so, the lane work we do, requires so much improv, I feel I have some standing as a purveyor of laughs. I've been considering branching into standup, and like everything I do, the descision is preceeded by long hours of analyzation.
The Kids In The Hall were a Canadian sketch comedy group of the early 90's. The group consisted of 5 cross dressing and absurdist men: Dave Foley, Kevin Mcdonald, Bruce Mcoullough, Mark Mckinney, and Scott Thompson. The show tended toward the zany and surreal, there were few celebrity impressions or pop culture references, and a slew of literate or history-related gags. As a youngster, I loved the off-beat show. I even had a copy of Mcoullough's 'Shame Based Man'- my first comedy album. The skits in the show that really stuck out for me aren't the headcrusher bits the Kids are probably best known for, but the monologues each member would do, the Fur trappers canoeing around a major metropolis, and the Simon Mulligan character of Mcdonald's, so inept at withcraft and evil. Pervading all KITH sketches is a sense of disappointment, rarely are you seeing competant, confident people, carrying themselves in top form. There's a gallows humor about all they do, and that sensability is in much of my day-to-day jesting. Far from depresive, it's a sense of making the most of every situation, and enjoying yourself while you can.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpfRiIYYVHU">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpfRiIYYVHU]
This skit is from the pilot, and to me, perfectly highlight's the groups ability to mock a situation with simplicity. To me, a sketch like this wouldn't work as well today, the important thing here is that none of these are innuendoes...these guys are playing it almost-straight. It's silly, it's simple, and they don't miss a beat. To me, even the rhythm is great- and technical things like that are important to me. This is one the better examples of what they did, and the 'flavor' of the comedy. They would often mock men, or women, or youth culture, but never by making the characters into idiots. Brilliant.
Slovenly, bitter, dry and sometimes confused, Norm Macdonald is what happens when the smartest guy in the room gets really, really drunk. Look up his bit about lying for a great standup bit where the punchline is simply, 'Yes'. While that might ruin it for some of you, anyone watching with a technical eye will still apreciate his flawless delivery. He's best known for his work on 'Weekend Update', or his Burt Reynolds impersanation, but his comedy albums and specials are where he really shines.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5kpXhq5nHM]
This video is a great example of his “This isn't working but who cares?” style, his effortless, unflappable smirk never dying. The man cannot be phased, and his “Henry Fonda Picking Blue Berries” Gem is a perfect example of this breezy grace trumping the talented, but a little too intense, Jim Norton. Sure, Norm can be a dick- But he makes you love him for it.
Groucho
What can I say? Grouco Marx was perfect. Perfect. To me, he best found his voice in 'You Bet Your Life'; I honestly wonder if he had not continued on in that show for television, and noteably without the grease paint, would we still remember his quite so fondly? To me, Groucho's strength lies in his ability to leanback, deliver a cutting remark or jape, and have done so with such charm, not even the barbs target can be indignant. His word play was perfect, and his influence is even felt in my favorite TV show, 'M*A*S*H*'.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUXdrS2N4nM]
He's clever, he's quick, and this clip exemplifies one of the best things about Grocho, as Dick Cavett once put it: His jokes were occuring to him as he said them; watch closely, you'll see the man enjoying his quips as much as his fellow guests, hes surprised too, and that charm, that sweetness, coupled with what's (face it) was a slight edge, made him everything I could hope to be in a comic performer.
Between my penchant for cardigans and horn-rim glasses, comparisons to Woody Allen have followed me all my life. Despite the unfortunate shambles his real life has become, his movies are excellent, among Hollywoods best, so much so they've overshadowed what was a brilliant career in stand up.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4sdnb0sYTc]
“...and he lent it out.” This is the man who made the Borscht Belt style timeless, he brought it into the mainstream, made it something that can last, and you still see, you saw it in Dangerfield, and hell, even Galifinakis has elements of the same self-deprication.
If I could live my life, rich or poor, with the same sheer exuberance that Dudley Moore brought to his character Arthur Bach, I'd be happy. As it stands, I think I probably grew into a man some where between Arthur and his sardonic butler Hobson, played perfectly by John Gielgud. Between the expansive, silly title character and snappy retorts of Gielgud's Hobson, this movie hits all of the notes I love, and does so pitch-perfectly.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BP2uUWfN8_4]
“Do you like me?”
“You're Cute.”
“I know that, but do you like me?”
And that, basically, is my motto.
While I'm sure in many ways, the connections between what I do onstage or off and The acts I've mentioned might be apparent only to me, I still know that at the very least I view the world through lenses tinted by KITH, Groucho, Allen, and Moore's work on 'Arthur'. Louis CK's work I only became familiar with a few years ago, and think the similarities between the two of us are few, but my god, my admiration for this man knows no bounds. He is absolutely my favorite comic, of today, or in any era. His work conveys so much grim detatchment, so much acceptance of pain, so much futility, but all with the most wickedly funny views I know. His sets are foul, off color, and blue, but fiercely intellegent in his commentary of parenting, aging, and dating. His take on the society we see around us is spot on, dealing often with our own impatience and inabiity to marvel at all we've achieved. His jokes are just damn funny. I've seen his stand up special 'Chewed Up' five times now, and it STILL has me laughing 'til it hurts. One of my favorite things about Louis CK is his ability to weave a show into ne long story, he covers many topics, but does so seemlessly, (as a note, Dana Gould is another favorite who excels at this) the segues are rarely an abrupt, “But anyway...” as one topic lends itself elegantly into another. His current show on FX is dark, but really well produced, and blends his stand up material with situations which are perfectly flavored with his stylings from his previous material. He acts as part social critic and part buffoon, and while I wouldn't have felt comfortable watching his work with my mother, I was around when she finally did watch 'Chewed Up', and she was laughing as hysterically as I was.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r1CZTLk-Gk]
This might be his most popular bit- and it perfectly sums up everything about his work. Again, something I've watched over and over, and still. Freaking. Love.
There are plenty more comics who have had a big impact on me, some of them not even standups- Dick Cavett, Alan Alda, as previously mentioned, and of course DEAN MARTIN the coolest man who ever lived- younger Tortugaholics, who may not be familiar with his amazing variety show, need to find any DVD or youtube clip available. It was among the very very best television ever. Dana Gould, Patton Oswalt, Doug Benson and Paul F. Tompkins are other amazing comics whose work keeps an old format new and fresh, always. Without guys like Bob Newhart, I'd have never learned you could be the only guy who knows whats really going on, and keep your mouth shut at the same time. Never the loud mouth funny guy, he was always one step ahead of the gag. Hell, even the TV show Animaniacs deserves a nod here.
Too be honest, I never identified much with artists like Richard Pryor or Lenny Bruce- but I strongly emphasize the word artist, because I respect the trails they blazed and recognize the strength of their craft, it just didn't resonate with me. There's certainly a list of comics whose work gained them fame that I don't admire, but that's neither here nor there. I can sit through a long set if the comic is setting up his jokes well, has good thrulines, or at least structures his show with some thought beyond, “this joke then this joke then this joke...” again, it's all about the technical aspects of a show.
I'm always eager to discuss the mechanics of any and all performance, and analyze on a really cerebral level the things I'm passionate about. I also love to gush about these acts and more that I love, too. If any of these clips or performers resonate with you especially, drop me a line. Hell, anything at all related to this journal? Drop me a line! Wanna berate me for my sporadic updates (I like the abuse) drop me a line! Jon@TortugaTwins.com or head on over and be all friendly with Lucio Tortuga on Facebook!
And I definitely want you guys to know: come August, when I'm ACTUALLY DOING STUFF other than eating Velveeta shells and cheese with RO*TEL and playing 'Borderlands', I'll have a full update of all my exciting, sexy adventures on the road!
...Which will likely just mean eating Velveeta shells and cheese with RO*TEL and playing 'Bordelands' some place else...
