Clean Comedy
Clean Comedy
By
Allen Edge
Funny can be Family Friendly.
I am still mystified at how people automatically assume that stand-up comedy has to be vulgar and offensive. Have we forgotten Flip Wilson, Nipsy Russell, Phyllis Diller, and many others? The answer is, obviously, yes. There was a time when you couldn't even say "But" or "Damn" on network television and yet these giants came to America every week with side splitting stuff that the entire family could enjoy. It did, however, require a little more talent, skill, creativity and work. It is the "Entire Family" factor that bookers and clubs are reluctantly realizing equates to more seats filled and that equals more money. Duh, Hello!
There are many mega-churches with populations between 10-25,000 people who have no viable, professional, quality entertainment outlet. I know because I am an ordained minister and it took me a while before that fact dawned on me. I might be slow, but I ain't dumb. That's why churches have so many "programs". They have nowhere else to go that will not offend them and turn them off. An event with one of these churches could make your bottom line in one event and, believe me; they will plug you in for the future as well as pass the word along to their affiliates. Steve Harvey witnessed this first hand at Bishop T.D. Jakes' Ministry.
It's not about religion.
Regardless of your religious or non-religious beliefs. Business is business. It's not just church folk. Even non-church folk are turned off by the constant proliferation of vulgarity in entertainment, particularly "Baby Boomers" who, by the way, have substantial disposable income at this stage of their lives. Hello! Hollywood has gotten a clue. Family oriented films have been steadily out grossing the sex and violence projects for the past ten years. This is a documented fact. Regardless of what you think about Mel Gibson and Jesus, Mel grossed $770 million dollars in the first six months of release of "The Passion of Christ". Hello!
I am not a Christian Comedian. I am a Comedian who happens to be Christian.
Club owners are naturally concerned about the loss of revenues at the bar. No problem. You can make it up on food and an increase at the door and if you book a sold out house in advance it's all gravy. I am not a Christian comedian. I am a comedian who happens to be Christian. Fear not. I will not break out in a sermon in the middle of my act, no more than a Jewish comedian would start chanting the cantor, or a Satanist would break out a goat and do an animal sacrifice. I am a professional just like any other professional. Audience consideration is speaker 101.
I actually have no church material as part of my regular repertoire. My material is, however, clean and appreciated by multi-ethnic audiences from ages 8-80. This is a proven fact. I can show you better than I can tell you. Just check out the clip on my profile page and judge for yourself. I will go anywhere, for a financial consideration, as long as it's reasonably safe and the audience is receptive to what I have. I also have a valid passport in good standing. I am ready to go oversees now! Just remember...more patrons equal more money.
https://youtu.be/UHoseO8xRv4
Other options? Comments, questions, considerations, ideas? Hit reply or email the author at LeviteToday@yahoo.com.
Allen D. Edge is an actor, comedian, professional speaker, performance coach, ordained minister, and author of The Levite Today, The Levite Today uncovers the power of the arts in biblical communications in the past and the present. Allen blogs regularly at his blog site, http://tepinc.blogspot.com/
Copyright @2015: Feel free to share this post with whomever you believe will appreciate it. If you’d like to use any part of it (up to 200 words), please give full attribution and this blog site, http://tepinc.blogspot.com/
By
Allen Edge
Funny can be Family Friendly.
I am still mystified at how people automatically assume that stand-up comedy has to be vulgar and offensive. Have we forgotten Flip Wilson, Nipsy Russell, Phyllis Diller, and many others? The answer is, obviously, yes. There was a time when you couldn't even say "But" or "Damn" on network television and yet these giants came to America every week with side splitting stuff that the entire family could enjoy. It did, however, require a little more talent, skill, creativity and work. It is the "Entire Family" factor that bookers and clubs are reluctantly realizing equates to more seats filled and that equals more money. Duh, Hello!
There are many mega-churches with populations between 10-25,000 people who have no viable, professional, quality entertainment outlet. I know because I am an ordained minister and it took me a while before that fact dawned on me. I might be slow, but I ain't dumb. That's why churches have so many "programs". They have nowhere else to go that will not offend them and turn them off. An event with one of these churches could make your bottom line in one event and, believe me; they will plug you in for the future as well as pass the word along to their affiliates. Steve Harvey witnessed this first hand at Bishop T.D. Jakes' Ministry.
It's not about religion.
Regardless of your religious or non-religious beliefs. Business is business. It's not just church folk. Even non-church folk are turned off by the constant proliferation of vulgarity in entertainment, particularly "Baby Boomers" who, by the way, have substantial disposable income at this stage of their lives. Hello! Hollywood has gotten a clue. Family oriented films have been steadily out grossing the sex and violence projects for the past ten years. This is a documented fact. Regardless of what you think about Mel Gibson and Jesus, Mel grossed $770 million dollars in the first six months of release of "The Passion of Christ". Hello!
I am not a Christian Comedian. I am a Comedian who happens to be Christian.
Club owners are naturally concerned about the loss of revenues at the bar. No problem. You can make it up on food and an increase at the door and if you book a sold out house in advance it's all gravy. I am not a Christian comedian. I am a comedian who happens to be Christian. Fear not. I will not break out in a sermon in the middle of my act, no more than a Jewish comedian would start chanting the cantor, or a Satanist would break out a goat and do an animal sacrifice. I am a professional just like any other professional. Audience consideration is speaker 101.
I actually have no church material as part of my regular repertoire. My material is, however, clean and appreciated by multi-ethnic audiences from ages 8-80. This is a proven fact. I can show you better than I can tell you. Just check out the clip on my profile page and judge for yourself. I will go anywhere, for a financial consideration, as long as it's reasonably safe and the audience is receptive to what I have. I also have a valid passport in good standing. I am ready to go oversees now! Just remember...more patrons equal more money.
https://youtu.be/UHoseO8xRv4
Other options? Comments, questions, considerations, ideas? Hit reply or email the author at LeviteToday@yahoo.com.
Allen D. Edge is an actor, comedian, professional speaker, performance coach, ordained minister, and author of The Levite Today, The Levite Today uncovers the power of the arts in biblical communications in the past and the present. Allen blogs regularly at his blog site, http://tepinc.blogspot.com/
Copyright @2015: Feel free to share this post with whomever you believe will appreciate it. If you’d like to use any part of it (up to 200 words), please give full attribution and this blog site, http://tepinc.blogspot.com/
posted by Transitions Edge Productions at
6:36 PM
