Does this face look familiar? Maybe you’ve seen Jon Reep on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing”, Comedy Central’s “Premium Blend” or the half-hour special “Comedy Central Presents: Jon Reep”. Maybe you’ve seen him on TBS’s “Pit Stop Comedy”, NBC’s “Late Friday”, or the ABC Sitcom “Rodney” as Officer Gerald Bob the dim-witted cop. If not then you probably know him from Dodge’s popular ad campaign as the “Hemi guy” – the redheaded hillbilly in the Dodge Ram commercials who leans out of a beat-up car and utters the now famous line: “That thing gotta Hemi?”

But before that Reep was already one of the hardest working comics in America, selling out clubs and getting standing ovations at college after college across the country. The show is supersonic energy filled with non-stop characters, super clever writing, and, of course, the one talent that separates him from all other comedians in the world: he’s the best redneck dancer since Elvis.

Here’s a video Jon shot last time he was in Nashville. Warning! It’s funny and safe for work and stuff, but you should know that at some point Reno Collier appears dressed in drag, with a midget dressed as a baby suckling his teet. (OK, if you just read that and you still don’t watch this video, we can’t be friends):

If you’re still with us, here’s some video of Jon’s stand-up as aired on Last Comic Standing:

Jon Reep is at Zanies Thursday thru Saturday (They’re closed Sunday. Something about a football game or whatever? Who knows.). Get your tickets now!

Last night’s show at The End featured Gregg Turkington’s anti-comedy character, “America’s Funnyman” Neil Hamburger along with *major entertainer* Mike H from *major group* DAIQUIRI, local musician/comic Chris Crofton and a surprise set from Tom Green.

The Nashville Creme blog began their review of the show by noting that they rarely cover funny things: “Reviewing stand-up comedy isn’t normally part of The Spin’s job description.” Yeah, we know. Rethink that.

In honor of the Scene taking the time to chime in on local comedy shows, we’ll let them do the heavy lifting for us:

“..we would’ve been idiots to miss this show.”

Chris Crofton

“Chris Crofton began a streamlined version of an act we’ve come to know and love. With only a half-hour or so to spare, Crofton wasted no time, delving headfirst into gag-inducing sexual descriptions of fecalphiliacs, jokes about rockabilly douches, diatribes against new media, tales of desecrating slave burial grounds while on LSD and even a joke making light of the tragedy in Haiti.”

Here’s some shaky video of Mr. Crofton doing some NSFW stand-up at the 2009 NY Film Festival:

*major entertainer* Mike H

“Clad in a bizarre hodgepodge consisting of a porn star’s sport coat, shorts, a makeshift kilt, an insurance salesman’s tie, fluffy Zorro mask and stuffed octopus hat, Daiquiri [ed note: actually this was a solo performance from *major entertainer* Mike H of the group Daiquiri] looked as if he’d just gone dumpster diving behind Southern Thrift. Using a myriad of effects processors, a Kaos pad, microphones, an overhead projector and some samples, this excitable artiste spent the first portion of his set singing and spastically dancing about the stage to minute-long compositions that we can best describe as sounding like a cross between Dan Deacon and Limp Bizkit.”

Here’s a clip of *major entertainer* Mike H performing on Tom Green’s House Tonight:

At some point, Mike H’s pal Tom Green jumped on stage and helped out with a cover of Wham!’s “Everything She Wants.” After the show Mike complained that some of his gadgets didn’t work at all & he considered his set to be terrible compared to other recent outings. I found his set to be hilarious and entertaining on many levels. His song “Opening Act” could be the greatest thing ever performed by an opening act.

“Donning his trademark cheap tux and exaggerated comb-over, Hamburger came onstage and showered us with side-splitting anti-joke after anti-joke, proving that he’s simply unequaled in the art of insult comedy. Over the course of an hour, everyone from Scientologists to rock stars, dead celebrities and clothing manufacturers became targets of Hamburger’s merciless raillery.”

Here’s one of Neil Hamburger’s appearances on Jimmy Kimmel:

Awesome awesome awesome. Hamburger is in Louisville tonight and Knoxville Wed.. I’d highly recommend it, if you have the means. The show ended with a BONUS set from our friend Tom Green doing some highlights from his new stand-up act. “Good times,” as Mr. Green would say. The Scene erroneously reported that Tom was drunk and although that was the case Saturday when he jumped up at The Stage to sing “Summer of ‘69″.. and Sunday at Tootsie’s when he spat rhymes from, “Rapper’s Delight”.. he had not been drinking Monday and was sober. We promise.

It was a very fun show. Now if we could just get the Scene out to review a few comedy shows even if they DON’T also involve local musicians..

You might have seen Tom Green roaming around Nashville this week with a little video camera in his hand and a lot of wackiness in his head.

There aren’t many things Tom hasn’t done. He toured with his own rap group in high school, painted his parent’s house plaid, put a cow head in his parents’ bed while they slept, humped a dead moose, survived testicular cancer, turned his living room into a television studio and created the number one rated and longest running talk show on the internet, “Tom Green’s House Tonight.” One thing he has never done is a world stand-up comedy tour.

Scratch that off the list, too, because the TomGreen.com World Stand-up Comedy Tour kicked off Jan 7th in Edmonton, Canada – went through Atlanta, Marco Island Florida and Louisville. Tom and comedian pal Shawn Halpin have been posting videos from the road to “The Channel” at TomGreen.com.

The shows have been very fun, with Tom doing jokes about his life and career – including the pranks he pulled on his parents, his marriage and divorce with Drew Barrimore; stories about the movies he has made; his appearances on tv as part of Donald Trump’s Celebrity Apprentice; plus pop culture jokes and plenty of random sillyness.

The crowds have been surprisingly awesome, considering the big snow that hit Nashville this weekend. Tom’s fans came out in droves, completely undeterred by the cold. It seems like the only people who weren’t there were those that just kind of randomly show up at the club not knowing who is performing.. which has been kind of nice. With audiences full of fans, it seems like Tom has been able to take them to very weird places without losing them at all. The responses have been absolutely amazing.

If you haven’t made it out to the show yet, tonight is your last chance! Tom’s last show starts at 7:30, but to get a good seat, you should definitely get there early. Get your tickets now! The roads aren’t bad, but give yourself an extra few minutes to get there safely.

Stand UP Comedy Level Two: Performance
Mondays, February 8, 15, 22 from 5:30-8:00PM @ Zanies Nashville
The 3 session class fee is $200 total.
Sign-ups start January 20 @ comedyhomework [at] aol [dot] com

About the class:
In each class you will go on stage for a short set. After your set you will get feedback from myself and then the other students. Feedback will include ideas and angles to clarify your premise, punch line and tag lines. We’ll offer suggestions on how to take your jokes further, as well as constructive criticism on your stage presence, delivery and ability to relate.
Each week there will be some “homework” geared toward preparing a more solid set for the next time.
The class is 100% constructive but you will need to have a little thick skin to take advantage of everything involved.

In this class we will address:

Act-outs
Characters
Comedy Etiquette
Crowd Control
Heckler Target Practice
Impressions
Mike Techniques
Performance Enhancers
Set Timing
Picking the best set
Riffing / Stream of Thought
Stage Picture
Stage Voice
Taking Stage
Thinking out loud onstage
Voices … and much more!

Students who successfully navigate the writing and performing classes are invited to a GRADUATION show at Zanies where they will perform a 3 minute set. The set will be recorded and given to you on a DVD along with an evaluation of that set. The graduation set must be CLEAN.

I limit the size of the class so we can give everyone ample time for feedback and have enough for an “audience” for the students onstage.

Students who have taken the writing class have the priority when signing up, followed by new students who have had SOME performing and writing experience outside of the School of Laughs.

Intro to Improv Comedy Level One: Games
Tentatively set for: Mondays, March 1, 8 & 15 5:30-8:00PM @ Zanies Nashville
The 3 session class fee is $200 total.
Pre-registration is open, request a form today: comedyhomework [at] aol [dot] com

Want to release the inner genius trapped inside you? Me too! In the meantime, why not sign up for the Intro to Improv Comedy Class?

I started my comedy career as part of Midwest Comedy Tool and Die – an incredible Improv group in Columbus, OH. We were one of the few traveling Improv troupes to conquer comedy clubs. Our approach was big on laughs with a respect for the art form of Improv. In this intro to Improv class we will do the same.
We will sample many of the games you have seen on “Whose Line is it Anyway?” as well as many you may have never seen. You’ll learn the ground rules that apply to Improvisational Comedy. You’ll be onstage a LOT and will learn to trust your instincts. The instincts will be beneficial in your everyday life. You’ll also benefit if you are pursuing stand-up comedy.
Stand UP Comedy Level ONE: Writing
Tentatively set for Mondays, April 5, 12 & 26 from 5:30-7:30PM @ Zanies Nashville
The 3 session class fee is $200 total.
Sign-Ups Available Beginning March 15 at comedyhomework [at] aol [dot] com.

Space will be limited. You can pay by check, credit card or money order. Once you’ve paid for the writing class once you have a “Lifetime” membership which allows you to attend any and all of the future writing classes at no extra cost.
How do you know if the writing class is the starting place for you? Ask yourself the following questions. Be honest with yourself!

How solid is your material now?
Do you know the reason each joke gets a laugh?
What techniques suit you the best?
Are you able to mix it up for different types of crowds?
Can you turn a story into a comedy bit?
Do your jokes get consistent laughs?
Are you able to get a laugh every 15 seconds or so?

If you don’t know some of the answers, then you’d benefit enormously from the writing class!

Bu$ine$$ of Comedy

The annual Bu$ine$$ of Comedy seminar was held on Monday, September 14th. Thanks to the 27 fun loving and seriously interested folks who attended. I appreciate your devotion to taking comedy to the next level.

Did you miss it?

You can still pick up all the tips!

You can receive the 30 page workbook along with the seminar on 3 audio CD’s – that’s no joke! Just request a copy today by e-mail at comedyhomework [at] aol [dot] com. The cost is $75.

Why a Business Class???

Because you will learn more about the comedy business in this 3 hour session than some comics learn in their entire career. You can take this class without any previous experience. It is a real eye opener into the world of comedy as a living.
Among other topics we addressed:
What goes in my promo kit?
When should I approach the clubs?
How do I get in with bookers?
How do I promote myself?
Do I need a web site?
What is deductible?
HOW MUCH DO COMEDIANS MAKE?
What market am I best suited for?
What is a realistic time line for my career?
What merchandise sells? Where do I get the merchandise?
What should I do for free and where do I draw the line?
and MUCH MUCH MORE!!!
request your workbook and CD today @ comedyhomework [at] aol [dot] com

Visit www.schooloflaughs.com for more information on these and other classes & tell them NashvilleStandup sent you.

Sometimes when you’re watching a comedian, you can kind of tell who their influences were.. or at least be able to name another comic as a reference point when describing their act. Occasionally you’ll see a young open mic’er “channeling” somebody famous so closely that you really can’t think of anything else the entire time they’re on stage.

“Rock and Roll ventriloquist” Carla Rhodes, on the other hand, is an act so unique that she’s really in a class all by herself. Here’s the best comparison I can think up: imagine if the lovechild of Shari Lewis and Mick Jagger was raised by David Bowie. Can you even wrap your head around that? Imagine that girl running around Nashville at night jumping onto stages in between bands.. bringing suitcases of puppets and a guitar up on stage at the stand-up open mics.. then driving back to Murfreesboro just in time to get enough sleep to make it thru her classes at MTSU.

If you were a regular at the local Nashville comedy shows from 2000-2004, you can probably remember Carla doing just that.. but since then she has called New York City home. We hear from and about her from time to time – doing shows at alternative performance establishments and rock clubs all over New York City (such as Joe’s Pub, Le Poisson Rouge, Arlene’s Grocery, Highline Ballroom and Issue Project Room to name a few), making videos, getting shout-outs in magazines & on Late Show with David Letterman, plus making appearances on FUSE, The Learning Channel and Canal+..

Even in a city full of very unique people doing extraordinary things, Rhodes stands out as a true original. Trav S.D. from The Villager made note of this when he recently plugged her new show, “The Continuing Story of Carla Rhodes,” which blasts off this Thursday, January 14th at Arlene’s Grocery in NYC:

“I would be remiss in my duty to humanity if I did not send you in the direction of Arlene’s Grocery on January 14, for that is the date one of my favorite neo-vaudevillians, ventriloquist Carla Rhodes is debuting her new full-length show, aptly named “The Continuing Story of Carla Rhodes.” In my view, Rhodes is the Savion Glover of vents, almost single-handedly injecting a notoriously uncool and backward-looking performance branch with a badly-needed kick in the ass. Don’t get me wrong; Carla is PLENTY old school — but she also has at least one of her dainty feet planted firmly in the current century, or at least the tail end of the last one (which is more than you can say about just about any other vent). Carla is, in short, a rock and roll ventriloquist.

The current piece purports to tell her life story, but we won’t be stinted on bits with her favorite “partners”, including Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and another dirty old Englishman, Cecil Sinclaire. She also promises to unveil her new rock band The Extravaganzas and a new character with the enticing name Herschel Ragbottoms. Unless I have pneumonia or a pulmonary embolism, I will be there.”

The show follows the thread of Carla’s intricate and dysfunctional (emphasis on fun!) life story. How did a lil’ ol’ ventriloquist from Kentucky befriend stuffed effigies of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards? How on earth did she tread through the corn fields to make it to New York City? Why is her hair so fabulous? And why does she hang with a cantankerous 1920’s gentleman named Cecil Sinclaire? Will she go against all odds, throw the naysayers aside and achieve ventriloquial superstardom?

Find out for yourself! If you’re anywhere near NYC, you should go. Maybe you’ll even get some of the FREE PRIZES – “Cecil’s Special Saltwater Taffy” and a limited edition “Enjoy Carla” button!

“The Continuing Story of Carla Rhodes”
January 14th, 2010, 9.00pm
Arlene’s Grocery
95 Stanton Street
New York, NY
Price: $8.00
(here’s the Facebook event)

If you can’t make it, at least you can enjoy the promo video for the event, which features 9-year-old Carla Rhodes singing “I’ll Be Loving You Forever”: