From 2012, Montreal - John Oliver comperes on The decline of the American Empire.

The comedians he introduces from 10 mins in are funny as well.

Part 1 -



Part 2 -

So I did this thing.



Remember a month ago, when I said that if I were going to attempt a profession other than my own, it would be stand up comedy? Well my life philosophy has always been, if you want it just go fucking do it. So I wrote some material, and last night I went and performed at Open Mic Night at the comedy club here in town.

It was seriously fun. It's hard to gauge when you're performing, but out of 25 performers I was definitely in the top 5 as far as number of laughs. Granted, several people were completely terrified to be on stage and abandoned ship even before their 4 minutes were up, and at least half of them brought a set list on stage with them to remind them what joke came next, so I obviously wasn't among professionals. But still, I was pretty proud of how I did.

There were a few drawbacks. The club has a 2-item minimum, which goes for anyone who sits in a chair, either in the showroom or at the bar. Performers are only exempt if they stand along the side aisle. Still easily able to see the stage, so not completely sequestered, but I was nonetheless standing in heels for 2 and a half hours.

I wish I'd had the courage to ask one of the other performers to record my set on my phone, but no one else did and it felt too weird. But I'm totally going to do it again.

I'd love to see that if you do. You have big courage.

Wow, the one thing people consistently ranked as a higher fear that death. Kudos, should we start writing jokes for you? Maybe someone recorded it and will youtube it. Naw, even if they did how would you ever find it.

Kudos to you! Well done!

Sent by thought transference

To be fair, public speaking in and of itself has never bothered me. I did lots of theatre and have a strong attention whore streak. Even if no one laughed at all, I had the set memorized backwards and forwards so I knew I could get through it, at least. But I know for sure no one was recording, it was a small audience of basically no one except friends of performers, and you would have been able to see a glowing phone screen in the dark.

Wow. Public speaking I can do. And in group interviews/ training sessions I always get volunteered to present results/ be the spokesperson.

But stand up?
Ohnonononono.

Please to do again and film this time.
(Wear flats and change before going onstage next time)

I'm impressed. Congrats on coming up big against your voice of reason. Awesome that you actually enjoyed it. I can't wait for the video.

I missed this somehow!

Go ComedyClod!

That's really exciting.

Sean Lock.

Moshe Kasher. I've watched many well-known comedians do improvised sets in this particular program, and many do not do nearly as well as you might expect. Moshe blows it away. (NSFW language)



Another awesome one. Again, not for the employed:

Oh they were excellent. I've seen some comedians I love not really coping well with the Set List.

Stephen K Amos - funny guy:



And Reginald D Hunter - brilliant comedian and completely adorable (may have posted this before - but can't be arsed checking the funny vids thread!)

This chick is awesome:

Last one then I stop (or at least pause :p)

Rich Hall