Blogging for Fun and Profit

Not really, but here are some good blogs to kill time at:

http://trent.blogspot.com
http://www.gawker.com
http://blaggblogg.blogspot.com
http://www.bestweekever.vh1.com
http://www.queerty.com

Enjoy slacking on your bosses time!

Dave Chappelle's Block Party

I was fortunate enough to see a sneak preview of Dave Chappelle's Block Party with my good buddy Kristy. The movie is not flashy, it's basically a straight up concert video with human interest things thrown in. But, it's the mix of music, comedy, and good nature that makes the film a winner.
I will throw out this caveat. If you are not a fan of backpack rap or neo-soul. Pass on this. The acts include The Roots, Mos Def, Jill Scott, Common, Erykah Badu, etc. You get the picture. If you are not a fan of this kind of music, pass on this. The film is almost 50% concert footage. However, if you are a fan, you will be impressed. As usual, The Roots are the coolest and most talented guys in the room. The Fugees reunite, but they sound terrible and Lauryn is still in crazy mode. But, it was good to see the three of them back on stage.
Now, the human interest/comedy segments are the strongest sections of the film. Two young men that get tickets in Dayton to the concert will steal your heart. They are funny, cute, smart, and just adorable. Hopefully, they're single because they will be getting a lot of lady fans. Many of the people Dave meets during the day to day of his life are genuine and seem to be nice people. Dave also meets some adorable children in a Daycare Center and gets to give Central State University's band to the show. CSU has had a lot of financial and political trouble as a historically black college. Their exposure in this film should change it.
Dave and Mos Def do some hilarious Vegas style comedy. Dave hangs out with a wide variety of characters. And, director Michel Gondry, knows when to just let people talk and never makes himself the star.
So, check it out. It will make you love Dave all over again.

Parental Control

Just a short post. But, I am highly recommending the new MTV show "Parental Control". In the show, parents pick new prospects for their child.
Good times.
The boyfriends and girlfriends are atrocious, the parents are overbearing, and the kids are spoiled brats. It's all good when you watch it. You will laugh your butt off and cringe at the same time.
Also, check out the special doc on MTV called "Fat Camp". I can only say one thing. Wow.

From MTV's website:
Thanks to MTV's new Parental Control, Mom and Dad finally have a chance to do something about that poor excuse for a loser their son or daughter calls their 'better half.' Fed-up parents will send their pride and joy on two blind dates of their choosing, in the hopes that one of them will catch his or her eye so they'll finally dump What's-Their-Name. All the while Mom and Dad will be watching every minute of every date, sitting side-by-side with their son's or daughter's current partner on the couch like one big, uncomfortable family. When the dates are over, the son or daughter has to make a choice between Mom's pick, Dad's pick and their current partner. Will the son or daughter follow parental guidance, or reject the parents' picks and stick with The-Wrong-One.

When Amy met Mooney

So, this is another personal blog, and it will totally be the last. I already posted a version of this on the Comedy Soapbox. If any Plow fans want to get to know me, check out my blog at www.comedysoapbox.com. But, here I'm usually a culture vulture. But, I did want to talk about the amazing class I took at the Learning Annex. It was a comedy writing seminar with Paul Mooney.
A lot of people probably know Mr. Mooney from his recent appearances on Chappelle's Show with "Ask a Black Dude", "Negrodamous", and "Mooney at the Movies". In the past he has an amazing list of credits. I'll list a few; head writer for "Sanford and Son", writer for "Good Times", comedy writer for Whoopi Goldberg, Lily Tomlin, Richard Pryor, and Eddie Murphy. He has also written for SNL and "In Living Color", and he was in the movie "Bamboozled". Holy Crap!!!! I'll take one of those credits.
So, at the program you had to go up and do a five minute set in front of him. I was literally a foot away. He is a comedy legend and known for being uncompromising. There have been times in the last year that I have grown frustrated with comedy because I feel like the hustle is too much. I'm always told by show runners and club owners that my comedy is too "smart" and "don't you have any personal material?" Both of these comments are code for, "you don't fit the stereotype of a lady comic. Do more self-esteem and dating jokes." But, I can't. And, during the seminar I am now more committed to doing my thing and people can come around to me.
Why, you may ask? Because Paul Mooney loved me. He told me to get on stage more. He also said I was hip, smart, deceptive, and kept him listening. This happened two days ago and I'm still high.
I have been up and down with comedy. But, lately I am back in the saddle. Three shows a week is my minimum. I suddenly feel much better about comedy and I have to thank Paul Mooney for that.

Cultural Differences

I am a fan of cultural differences. So many times in our country we do this whole, "we're all the same" nonsense. Personally, for me that's a bunch of bunk. I think differences are what make us so great. If everyone was the same the world would be really boring.
Case in point...
I was at a baby shower on Saturday. It was a predominantly Jamaican group of people. There were a smattering of African-Americans. My self and a Jamaican born white dude were the only people lighter than caramel. And, it was a totally different world.
A short list of the things at this shower that I have never seen before:

• A DJ who played reggae and when a good gift was opened by the mother to be gun shot effects or voice effects were played.
• A full meal and appetizers.
• The party started at 7pm, but things didn't really start until almost midnight.
• Dancing, a gift announcer, and about 200 people.

It was amazing. I had never been to anything like it. I loved every minute. I stayed until midnight and the party was still going strong. I got home from a baby shower at 1am. Wrap your mind around that! Everyone should have to do things like this. Something like this baby shower is why America is great.