A+ for Diversity, F for Originality
By Tasha A. Harris, Editor-in-Chief
*This review is not recommended for the easily offended. Thick skin is required.
I attended the NBC‘s Stand-Up For Diversity Showcase at Stand Up NY Thursday night, and was saddened to see veteran and up and coming comedians squander a rare opportunity to be seen by a major network with unoriginal and dated material. Launched four years ago by NBC, Stand-Up For Diversity is a nationwide search for the funniest diverse comics in the country. This year, NBC expanded their search to five US cities, holding open call auditions and showcases. However, if NBC execs were looking to find the funniest diverse comic in the Big Apple, then they might have been in for a rude awakening, because the showcase did not feature a single comic with star potential.
Stand-Up was hosted by Jordan Carlos, whose contrived “I’m not like those other Negroes; I speak proper English,” black yuppie act became tired as the show progressed. Even Chris Mata took a swipe at him, asking the audience to give it up for “articulation.”
Vidur Kapur served up a hacky batch of gay Indian humor, while Orlando Baxter from Worcester, MA shared his funny tales as a high school special education teacher and Sean Crespo, the lone white guy who had to explain that he is of Ecuadorian descent, was as interesting as a door stopper.
Jen Kwok broke up the monotony, producing big laughs while singing along to a ukulele. But Chris Mata was the showcase’s best performer. Mata was the only comedian who offered a fresh point of view and played against type. He showed no fear even when his Parkinson’s joke elicited mixed reactions from the audience.
In response to the horrendous showcase of the supposedly funniest diverse comics, STM compiled a list of the Top 10 Industry Showcase Blunders.
Top 10 Industry Showcase Blunders
1. Take your opportunity to showcase for a major network for granted. Preparation is for white people who want to succeed. And while many of your peers may never have the chance to be seen by NBC, you should treat your golden opportunity as just another spot on a weeknight show.
2. Don’t ever write. Writing is for suckers and white guys who want six figure TV writing jobs. Just keep doing the same opening and closing jokes that you did at the Kimmel and Letterman auditions last year.
3. Present yourself as a stereotype. Casting directors have a plethora of dignified characters that you can play based on your one-dimensional act.
4. Condescend the audience with your smug, “I’m smarter than you” act. Reference something that you know little about and then ask the audience to help you when you can’t remember an important detail.
5. If you’re a Muslim comic, always hold tightly the 9/11 crutch. In six years, it’s still the only way you know how to connect with the audience.
6. Don’t show the industry anything special or unique. Blend in with the other comics who just as lazy and unoriginal as you.
7. Complain. Complain. Complain. Complain that you never got a chance and when you do, do nothing. Never take responsibility for screwing up. Blame it on white racism.
8. Act surprised when NBC execs don’t want to see you again.
9. A showcase is an opportunity to shine and show the industry that you are a killer performer who can write and captivate an audience. If you’re a killer performer, you can book acting and stand-up gigs. If you can write clever material, you can secure work as a writer and if you can keep people interested, you can find work as a host.
10. Forget number 9. Review steps 1-7 and add career screw up to your resume.
If anyone saw this showcase, let me know what you think. Did NBC execs really get to see New York City’s “funniest” diverse comics? Also heard that there were folks from HBO in attendance. Feel free to comment, add to the list and share your thoughts on showcasing for industry. Contact info is under “Comments.”
