Bored with WoW? Try a Comedy Club

Most WoW players are heading into the second half of 2008 with the knowledge that "the next big thing" is on the horizon.  The pending release of the WotLK expansion means the level cap is going up, everyones gear will be reset, and nothing else is really going to change within today's WoW.  With the end in sight, many players will be taking a break until the expansion is released, knowing they will get back into it at that point.

Try Something New This Summer: A Comedy Club

As we head into the summer with the knowledge that WoW interest is temporarily diminished and most major sports are out of season (see my earlier post, The Worst Season Begins), you may be looking for some new activities.  I would encourage all of you, if you live near any major city, to visit a comedy club.

Go With Your Buds, Or A Lady Friend

Comedy is great either way: you can have a good time with your friends, but it can also be an enjoyable date scenario in the right situations.  There are a few reasons that this works out well:

Alcoholic Drinks

These are served at nearly all comedy clubs, and of course alcohol is known to relax the inhibitions and exaggerate the sense of humor.  Many people hang out with friends and have drinks on a regular basis, so why not try it here?  Obvious benefits if you are taking a lady to the club, a few drinks may loosen her up and make conversation easier.

The Most Vile Language You've Ever Heard

Worth the price of admission all on its own.  Comedy clubs are, in a sense, like the Barrens chat of RL, but populated with folks in their 20s rather than 12 year olds.  No highbrow commentary and maturity here; anything goes and nearly every topic will end up with some seriously graphic sexual content.  Comfortable territory for you and your buds, and all of the sexual jokes can help "break the ice" if you have a lady along, making it easier to steer conversations in that direction later on. 

I might add that nearly every comic I've seen makes several jokes during the show about what women should do to please a man -- sometimes they are outrageous but it's good to have this fresh in your lady's mind if things go that way!  Not always stuff you might bring up on your own, but the comic can help plant the ideas in her head.

Make Sure To Start With An Established Act...

If you're not a regular on the comedy club scene, there may be a few things to keep in mind when you want to get some people together and go for the first time.  One tip is to track down a fairly popular headline act, rather than just going at random to see whoever is there.  If a comic has developed a following, they are more likely to be funny, and this will be key so your first outings don't flop.

The typical routine at a comedy show is to have a couple small acts go on before the main act, and this works out well because if the first guys are so-so, the contrast will make the main act seem even better, and if they are all great, then you still win.  Some "main acts" will bring openers with them, other shows will just feature a few small-time local comics for the opening.  Either way, these openings acts may be your glimpse of a future headliner if you're lucky.

...But Don't Go Too Big

You'll probably have a better time overall if you avoid giant mega-stars in the auditorium setting, when they are recording a TV special, or something along those lines.  You don't want to go check guys who have already cashed out of the game like Jeff Foxworthy, Jerry Seinfeld, Eddie Murphy, or other guys that are uber-famous.  It's just not the same atmosphere.  You want a smaller, more intimate club setting, where you can be seated 10-20 feet from the guy on the stage and have realistic interaction with the audience.

Comics I Can Recommend

I have picked out three shows I have enjoyed most over the last couple years as starter recommendations.  Each of these guys is a pretty well-known name and does go on tour, so you may be able to see one of their shows if they hit your area.

* Joe Rogan
* Pablo Francisco
* Russell Peters

Comics I DO NOT Recommend

These guys are also pretty well-known, but I don't think they make for a very good show.  Sometimes guys get famous in comedy for seemingly no real reason, and it all feels a little weird, a little derivative, and a little watered down.  Everyone has his own tastes, of course, and I'm just giving you mine.

* Dane Cook
* Carlos Mencia
* Larry the Cable Guy

Give It A Try

I would encourage all of you to go check out your local comedy clubs, see a few shows, and let people here know how it went.  Any further recommendations of comics or venues in major cities would be great to get people started.