Tag Archives: comedy

October 9, 2014 · 10:52 pm

Doug Stanhope

“You can think you’re absolutely dying the worst death in your whole career and then you say good night to a standing ovation”- Stanhope on British audiences

Since 1990 Doug Stanhope has committed his life to the art of stand-up comedy. With subject matter ranging from his thoughts about Abortion being Green; over population needs to be handled and he has some colorful ideas to help you down that path, or starting a charity fundraiser Atheists Unite on Indiegogo, to help an atheist who lost her home in the bible belt move elsewhere, or even to the death of his own beloved mother. Stanhope is an equal opportunity Drag your dirty little secrets in to the light of day kind of guy. So if you’re easily offended stay home, or better yet bring the protest, I’m sure he would have a few choice words for you and your following.
Stanhope, a self-proclaimed lazy man, moved from Los Angeles to the middle of nowhere Arizona for a peaceful life. Touring most of the year doesn’t leave Stanhope much time for anything else, but even he couldn’t resist when he received a phone call from Johnny Depp to work on a project. “It’s a secret, but not that secret of project.”
Coming back to the Duke City to play Launchpad October 9 for the second year in a row is good news to the veteran comic. For a long time it was rare to play a venue and be allowed back. On Laff’s the (now defunct) comedy club in Albuquerque, “When they were open they wouldn’t touch me with a stick, so it’s great to be invited back.”
Like most comics, Stanhope started at an open MIC night with the hope of getting the ladies. “I couldn’t sing, I wasn’t good looking, but I could make ‘em laugh” He never had aspirations of turning comedy into a career but some callings are too strong to ignore.
Whether he is offending your morality, insulting your favorite pastime, or attacking your corporate overlords, Stanhope is nothing but honest when it comes to airing his grievances with the world and is not to be missed.

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March 4, 2014 · 2:28 am

Just Nick, Nick Wechsler

Nick Wechsler, born and raised right here in Albuquerque New Mexico, always had dreams of being a comedy star. After graduating from Highland High School, Nick took off to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting. By his own admission, he hoped to go into comedy, but has been popular in dramatic roles. “I haven’t had many opportunities to do comedy,” said Wechseler. “Which probably just means I’m not very funny”. He jokes, of course, with many successful TV series under his belt like Team Knight Rider, Roswell, and Revenge, we know he’s good at his job.

In his current role as Jack Porter in Revenge, Nick says this is one of the harder characters he’s ever played simply because Jack is a good guy. Being a comedian at heart, his sense of humor skews to negative, making it easier for him to play a villain. But, no matter what the character is, Nick has a formula for bringing them to life. “I will read a script several times to extract as much information as I can about tone and history and character, and then I store it, internalize it. I just try to relate to these guys.” Every character has a piece that you can relate to. If you can relate to him then other people can too.” Understanding is the basis of how Nick creates his memorable characters.

Jack is a challenging and different character for Nick to play and is helping him stretch and grow as an actor. Variety is everything in a field where becoming typecasted is easy. The change of pace keeps thing fresh and new. “I will read a script several times to extract as much information as I can about tone and history and character, and then I store it, internalize it. I just try to relate to these guys.”

His rise to stardom has been an uphill climb. He’s had some major success along the way, but also had some times of serious self-doubt and struggling. “I’ve been at it for 16 years. I’ve had some success, but I’ve also had long stretches of nothing, which was demoralizing,” Wechsler shared. “I think the hardest part of acting is trusting your worth, despite near-constant rejection.” Like many other careers out there you can be riding high one day and crashing and burning the next. You need to build up your confidence and self-esteem. In Nick’s case, his lively sense of humor has helped through his valleys.

He reminisces about the early days when he went out to Los Angeles and the time spent with his roommate, Taran Killam. At the time, Nick wanted to be on the cast of Saturday Night Live to explore and develop his comedy side, but he ended up with dramas and no SNL. His old roommate, on the other hand, wound up on SNL and Nick is so proud of him. “The comedic part of me is jealous of the dramatic part,” joked Wechsler.

Before leaving Albuquerque for the City of Angels, Nick was a theater actor, with many performances under his belt. But when it comes to taking the jump from primetime to the stage, he admits he’s a little apprehensive. “I’m kind of terrified of the stage now. I haven’t done any theatre since high school. I used to like it a lot back then, but that was before I did this for a living. I have a fear that if I returned to theatre now, I’d be eviscerated. I should probably do it in that case, get past my fear of it. It’d probably make me a better, more confident performer But here’s the deal, nah” Nick feels his place is in film, but after so many years in the industry, the stage may be in the distance, distance goal.

Showing off his twisted sense of humor, Nick creatively dodges a direct question about the future of Revenge. His convoluted answers point to show rating, executive decisions, and audience response, but not a definite yes or no to if Revenge is coming back. So for those of you hoping for some insight into the shows return next season, Nick isn’t giving away anything. “But what the hell do I know?” Wechsler says. “It’s all up in the air until it isn’t” Nick isn’t one for making plans. He likes to stay flexible and keep his options open, whatever they may be. “I don’t currently have anything in my pipeline. Which is probably best, y’know? Because then I’m available for whatever. Like watering my plants, or staring at the walls, or sobbing into a pillow.”

With such a versatile career, Nick won’t be watering his plants or sobbing into his pillow for long. He is bringing his sense of humor to his “good guy” dramatic role with a flare all his own. If the fans of Revenge have any say in the matter, the show will be returning for another season, maybe more.

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March 1, 2014 · 12:34 am

Comedy night at Sandia Bowl

People will tell you that Albuquerque lacks a lot of things that other cities have and it’s true, but Sandia Bowl is stepping in to fill one of those needs. They are hosting a comedy night right here in town, every other Saturday night. Walking in the staff was great possibly a bit over whelmed. The small bar in Sandia Bowl filled up quickly for the comedy night featuring numerous local comedians and a first time Host.

Everybody was funny but if your easily offended or have tender ears stay out in the bowling area. Offensive subject matter, cuss words, and the possibility of being the butt of the joke were served up on the menu along with cold beer and drinks. The only thing missing was the stench of cigarette smoke hanging in the air. Come to think of it I really didn’t miss that part at all. The comedians were given a short amount of time to impress the crowd and they al lived up to the challenge. Even when the jokes were slow or the timing was off a recovery was always made. This was a promising start to many humorous Saturdays to come.

Checkout more at http://www.NMEntertains.com

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November 1, 2013 · 7:38 pm

Anjelah Johnson talks about comedy, marriage, and music

The day came when Anjelah Johnson had to decide what she wanted to do with her life. After a good bit of praying the decision came to her to try out to be a Oakland Raiders cheerleader. This would be a test of spirit to see if she had what it would take to be in entertainment field. If she made the squad she promised herself she would pursue a career in Los Angeles. If she didn’t make the squad she would take her life in another, unknown, direction. Luckily for her and the rest of us she made the squad and then one year later she moved down to LA.

 

Once in LA she was faced with another dilemma what kind of entertaining did she want to do? She was a local church for a creative art night when she met a women who was teaching a workshop on how to write jokes and do stand up comedy. The woman asked her if she would like to join the class. Anjelah first response was is the class free? The woman answered with a resounded yes, so of course Anjelah took the course. Free is always good. At the end of the class she and her classmates had to preform at a comedy club in front of a live audience. This is where her famous nail salon joke was first preformed. Her career launched from them, off the first joke she ever wrote. From the comedy club circuit she moved on the MadTV. She credits the strong characters she created in her stand up routine for getting her a spot on the show. Her stink on the show may have been short but she learned a great deal from the wonderful cast and crew she worked with. When asked about auditioning for Saturday Night Live; she says she loves the show and it would be an honor but she wants her energy into to TV and film. She has to go where her heart is for now it has never led her astray.

 

Talking about her unique characters Anjelah says they are all based on real people or interaction she has had over her life. She uses family members like her brother who by her account is “Ghetto fabulous, and lacks a filter” to base some her more outlandish characters. She also cites instances of dealing with some pretty far out customer service reps over her lifetime.

 

When It comes to the TV shows she loves, and inspire her to work in the field she says Modern Family is her favorite. She has recently started getting in The Big Bang Theory as well.  To tell the truth she finds crime and drama the best way to unwind from a long day of making people laugh. She had been marathoning her way through Celebrity Ghost Encounters on Lifetime.  Grateful she herself has never had her walls bleed she find it fascinating to see how other handle such bizarre situations.

 

Married to a Christian rapper she admits she made jokes about the relationship before it even existed. She a standing joke in her set about why there was such a thing as Christian rap. The two of them make a great team influencing on each other’s works over the last couple of years. She says her husband is really funny and unlike her will just say what ever pops into his head. She is more of a write out and prep the story type of comedian. However she is currently working with a major label to put out an album of her own. So if her hubby wants to be comedian then she’ll go ahead and be the musician in the family.

 

In a place like New Mexico where the comedians are struggling with no comedy club to work out, she has one suggestion: “Stick together. It’s an advantage to be able to be the people who establish the rules and make the game plane. Be fair to one another and share stage time and audience. Be thankful for what you have and who you work with because the team will make the difference.” She invites New Mexico out to hear about a young woman learning to become a wife on Nov 9 when she comes through town. Get to know her family and her marriage the ups the downs but mostly laughs.   

New Mexico Entertainment Magazine

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