The Growing Popularity of Stand Up Comedy

It seems everyone is going stand up crazy, more so now than ever before. This isn't surprising considering the amount of entertaining and inspiring comedians we have out there at the moment such as Jimmy Carr, Michael McIntyre and Lee Evans to name but a few. But despite the sudden interest, British stand up comedy has been around for quite a while now, first starting in the music halls of the 18th and 19th centuries. These music halls saw comedy greats such as Morecambe & Wise, Arthur Askey and Max Miller rise to fame.

Theory has it that stand up comedy has grown in popularity due to the current climate; people have been so depressed with the credit crunch that they have resorted to the best possible medicine, "laughter". Some people don't just stop at admiring this form of entertainment from a distance but the poor souls subject themselves to gruelling criticism by attempting it themselves and I admire their courage. So when my friend Paul told me that he wanted to try stand up comedy, I was sceptical to say the least... in fact I laughed.'Was he serious' I would keep asking myself! but as a true friend I would offer words of encouragement and support.

Paul signed up for one of the best comedy workshops in London run by Logan Murray www.loganmurray.com who has been in the comedy industry for over 20 years and certainly knows his stuff. After weeks of preparing material and improving his techniques he was ready to face a real audience which included myself. I was feeling nervous for him as I sat glued to my chair, pondering on what I should say if he was unsuccessful. Fortunately it went very well indeed and I was left feeling guilty about expecting the worst.


Above: Paul's first performance on his graduation night.

There are many up and coming comedians out there that need your support and there are many London venues who put these comedy gigs on so look up your nearest one for a night with a difference. Check out the website for one of the best comedy venues in London to see whats on www.amusedmoose.com

Paul in now taking gig bookings ~ see his website more information: www.paulbaglin.co.uk

The BEST YouTube Channel... EVER!!!

Now I am partialed to a good old YouTube fest every now and then, usually when I have a bottle of my favourite wine in front of me. I thoroughly enjoy reminiscing with old 80's and 90's tunes and watching funny clips of cutesy animals. One day, as I searched for cat video's I came across something that caught my attention. It was fantastic! A total genius! So I thought that I couldn't not mention it on here. Its 'The Mean Kitty Song' :)

OK! so you may think I am exagerating just a tinsy bit but I have been an avid follower for quite a while now and I have grown very fond of these guys. Cory 'Mr Safety' Williams is a popular youtuber that everyone seems to go nuts over, and his cats are the most famous cats on youtube because of all the little films he's made of them. He started off by filming some crazy 'Jackass' type vids, progressing onto other projects which he displays on his SMP films YouTube channel. But to check out the kitty cats go to http://www.youtube.com/user/TheMeanKitty and you will be hooked for hours :)

A big price to pay for being different

I consider myself to be an open minded person. My taste in music varies and my style changes as often as the wind. Most importantly I am very accepting towards people I meet no matter their background, gender or culture. As the saying goes 'never judge a book by its cover', the same applies to people! I think open mindedness which includes accepting change and difference is an appealing quality for a human being to have. I would like to think in this day and age that everyone was as open minded as me although this isn't the case.

Some people just can't handle it! and I would describe these people as small minded and weak. These are people who will go to any lengths to express their disgust toward anyone who appears different or has different views to themselves. The truth is, they don't know what to expect, they judge the cover before reading the book and assume that they won't like it.

Now having been part of the alternative scene for the past few years, I have met many interesting people who have established their own individual styles in order to break away from the "norm" as some people may put it. These people whether they be goths, rockers, emo's etc are probably the most intelligent and stimulating people I know. On the inside they are no different to anyone else, they just choose not to follow the same old trends. The world would be an incredibly boring place if everyone in it were the same.

Being the sort of person I am, I was sickened and saddened by a story that I had read a couple of years ago about a girl called Sophie who was brutally attacked along with her boyfriend by a group of teenagers they had met in a park in Lancashire. It is believed that the pair were targeted because of the unique and individual way in which they were dressed. While her boyfriend pulled through and survived the attack, Sophie sadly died on August 24th 2007. Words can't express how angry this makes me and many others who have heard this tragic story. People shouldn't have to live in fear because of how they dress... its insane!

Sophie's family and friends have worked hard to raise awareness since her death and strive towards a less violent society by starting a campaign in her memory. The S.O.P.H.I.E campaign has a powerful message attached to it:

Stamp

Out

Prejudice

Hatred &

Intolerance

Everywhere

and is growing in popularity through the fun organised events that they put on. To find out more information about the campaign or to donate to the SOPHIE LANCASTER FOUNDATION please check out the following sites:

www.sophielancasterfoundation.com

www.myspace.com/inmemoryofsophie

A new Start!

So! I have deleted all my old blogs and starting again from scratch in hope that my senceless rabblings will bring my much needed inspiration back. Everything is a blur at the moment and I havn't been able to think straight for weeks. The 10 week summer holiday I have had off from college may have something to do with it. Its like my mind has turned to mush because of the lack of stimulation! This is the first summer in 11 years where I havn't been in full time employment and there is only so much you can do for that amount of time with no money. My ideas have completely gone to pot! Know matter how long I sit down with a sketch pad and pencil, the creativity just doesn't flow. Although its not all gloom and doom, I do have a couple of ideas that I want to try out but it might not be for a while yet as I need money for resources.