It's important to be liked, to be successful in life.


They ruin it.... who? You name it. How about self-serving individuals? I ran a show last week, poor weather, good turnout for a rainy Tues. night, however still a low moneymaker.


I comic walks in, I know he's going to bug me for a spot. So to avoid rejecting him, I avoid telling a guy it's my show, yet he still asks me for a spot. Dealing with the club owner, staff, comics, audience, my own act, now I have guy who thinks that I don't realize he wants a spot. A guy who is not A-list however has promise, couldn't just walk up to me as I do other producers; and say, "hey, I know you're booked up, however if you need me I'm around." He doesn't say that.
Instead, he forces me to reject him by asking, " can I get a spot?"

So what am I supposed to say? I know he wants time. Yet he doesn't care about me, the club, the staff, the comics, the audience. Just a self-serving adrenaline junkie who doesn't care enough about anyone else to think..."how can I ask in a way that will serve everyone.
"

Comedy is a team sport. Without the Clubs management, staff, audience, lighting, producer there is no show. Yet some people think they can just take take take without making a worthwhile contribution. Exception...A-list acts.


So, Producing comedy shows on the front line is not fun, tired of it. More interested in earning 100,000/show, then I don't mind say know. Because I could buy that same comic dinner, get them drunk, and then when they wake up I can thank them for doing my show.


Producing shows is like being a crack dealer. I have 5 hits, for 50 addicts. If this note offends you your either not A-list, or one of the 45 crack heads that needs a fix.


Or I'm just an angry doushebag, you decide :)

Ok Gang,
News for the Week. Been sleeping late, taking time to re charge my batteries! Decided I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired. Lost my fucking recorder at a gig which I was happy to get, however ate my ass along with about 10 other comedians…. yes it was the audience (lol). Four audience, 10 comics and my recorder fucking vanished. My fault though I forget about it until I was at my next gig. My head was 10 feet up my ass from the earlier gig and I was careless. Carelessness kills! Ok, I'm being melodramatic however offering reward for safe return of my Olympus handheld (50 bucks- w/ files).

Yes, I had a lot of material on it. I think at this point I'm sick and tired of fucking myself over. Decided to become more mindful of where I place things. Also I'm tired of not achieving the success I feel I deserve. Loosing a recorder without saving my work it tantamount to writing a screenplay and never saving my work. Sabotage! So it's a good lesson to us all. Protect your work and your tools! Stop sabotaging yourself you deserve to be successful. Everything you want …you will have. Time to practice what I preach. Back to business…. complaining- try and avoid it. Also avoid people who complain it's like a virus. Find new people to hang with. I had a problem with some comics recently. There complaints made me realize I am not their friend. Just a stop along their gravy train. And that's ok, god bless them (thanks Joe Franklin!).

Out of town gig. I've worked with a club for a while and always do well (almost always-lol) yet they continue to avoid booking me on other nights. However now I am grateful for what I get. Instead of complaining about it. If they don't book me more, I'll book myself by creating new opportunities. Therefore…no more problems!

Interesting week! First off lets talk about the Rottweiter named "Slim" I rescued (see photo). I fell in love with him and was heart broken to let him go. However it gets interesting. The neighbor I rescued the dog with was less than honest. She pretended to be interested in saving him, making a call or 2 however really wanted him dead. No one would take him she said because he was aggressive. Gee! After a dog is nearly starved to death and you approach him quickly with a friend he doesn't know or bring him to a Hell shelter what do you expect?

Friday she she told me he was already dead and I grew depressed. Had a horrible Set that night. The hecklers ate me up alive; I felt like Rocky getting pummeled my Mr. T after Mick died.

The next day I called the Shelter and Slim was still alive! Horray! However He was going to be put down at 7pm. I sprang into action and called the woman who tried to enable the death process as she had a car. I was desperate. Then I contacted my comic friends and animal crusaders Jodi Wasserman and Stacy Prussman. They helped me find a sanctuary for Slim in New Jersey and there was hope! Tim Homayoon who is engaged to Stacy let us take his car and he took the train out to his gig (Brokerage CC). We had had wheels! All we needed was to get Slim!

We all met at the Shelter even and after 2 hours got Slim off death row and into the car. Stacy decided to take a burned cat with us and I had had it! That puss could jeopardize the whole mission! She assured me it would be OK and I surrendered, OK, we'll take him. It worked out Stacy was right.

When Slim saw me 2 hours before death this "aggressive" and "nasty" dog hugged me. Did not attact or go after anyone although he should have! He was so happy that his savior had not forgotten him. He loved Stacy as well anyone with me he knew was a good person sent to save him.

I kept my promise to that dog and saved him, he's in a better place thanks god. My neighbor wanted him dead because he showed signs of aggression and also because he had his gonads, the whole package bothered her I believe. I agree perhaps pets should be altered however we have to rescue him first, and we did!

Slim was great in the car and did not bother the cat, who hissed at him! I suppose if I was 15 lbs in a cage and saw a 30 lbs head with teeth sniffing about I might be a little nervous as well. So we made it thanks to my neighbor, Jodi, Stacy, Tim and the NJ no kill shelter. I did my part and saved a life. "You can't through a whole life away just because it's banged up a little."- Sea Biscuit the Film.

OK, SO I'M NOT MARRIED TO SOMEONE IN THE BUSINESS TO PUSH MY CAREER ALONG. HOWEVER I'LL RUB SOMEONE'S FEET!

Vat a week! First off thanks to "Seven" Thompson, Danielle, Trainor, Rocha, Josh "bleed the truth" and Steve Rosso for hitting the mark as always, Great show! The weekend was great and this week plans to be even better.

On Wednesday I took in a 7 month old Rottweiler who someone was starving to death. He was chained up outside my building, filthy, hungry, scared. I had no idea if he would go after me at night so I slept with 2 mini bats at either side of my bed. I let him on the bed with me then had to kick him out of my bed. Mainly because he tried to fuck me, btw- he did not succeed.

I walked him, bathed him and the dirt from his body came off. He followed me around my apartment and we bonded. He is at the shelter now and I was crushed having to leave him. Hopefully they will give him a clean bill of health after some tests and meds, he was not doing well. Has some violence in him, which is not good. However he loves and trusts me; so I gave him 5 minutes on my last show. OK!

My shows are going well however a room outside the city may be trying to get rid of me. They are doing this by not returning phone calls, not advancing me career wise after promising me spots and building up other peoples careers and brand names. I will have to do what I have always done, continue to move forward while those less deserving get what I should get.

However no one owes me a thing. I can always spend the next 20 years building up my brand name, enjoying my life; moving forward. What if I opened up 100 comedy clubs, 1000 restaurants, and owned 500 buildings? Would anything anyone has done to deny me of mean anything? Probably not. Although it certainly feels shitty now however taking care of that dog for 2 days was one of the best things I've ever done in my life. I don't care about people breaking promises to me after I work 4-6 years for them or their company. I am a good person capable of great things and am fair, good-natured. I am worthy of all life has to offer. So are you…the one reading this. We have a lot to be thankful for. Heck I have a birthday coming up!

Ok gang enough about life, the pooch and me!

The News!
It's been a tumultuous yet positive week. Underground Lounge shows are going very well. Mondays are the most fun with a very supportive crew supporting the show. Some real audience drops in as well. Of course I end up walking them (lol!) however at least they show. Seriously Mondays are great and the weekends are even better. We have a good crew who works hard and gets rewarded. No manipulative fucktards get regular spots so you won't have to scratch your head and wonder how someone got up on one of my shows. They are either very funny, an assistant with talent, an occasional tradespot, or at times a bloody mistake. Those are rare and other than myself everyone booked generally deserves to be booked (I'm on a tear).

Last week I got some bookings at a Club I've been working for however had to go to the above someones head. I felt like a real Pidgeon however sometimes people make you do that. Yes I had to go above someones head to ensure they followed through with their promise. And guess what…I did great on those shows. I'm having other problems at a club I've worked at for a while and contributed much to over the years. I feel they are giving me the cold shoulder by; not returning phone calls for a month, not giving me any guest spots/paid work. It's typical when someone tries to hurt you even if it is accidental. The cruelest form of abuse is neglect. Companies throw this around as if they feel it's their right to hurt others. I have done this in my past, hurt others in many ways. However I have learned from this; have they?
Was promised certain things yet they gave those promises away to someone else. That person has been given a lot of leverage leaving me to fight a guerrilla war; mainly from the outside. Of course I'm not going to fight, that takes energy. I am going to win by constantly moving forward, improving myself and helping others; even those seeking to hurt me. Yes I'm upset however revenge is not something I am seeking. Confucius once said "he who seeks revenge had better dig 2 graves."
The day I buried by father I went to the New York Comedy Club after the interment and services and produced a show and performed; had a great set. Therefore what can anyone do to me? Or to any of us unless we let them. I am often treated with disrespect and contempt. I often see people promoted to positions that I should get. Constantly I see people acting irresponsibly when it comes to treating me or others fairly. Having faith that things will work out and good friends is my weapon of choice. Oh yeh, the stage helps! Faith! Even if you do not believe in God believe in something; especially yourself and no one can hurt you unless you let them. Do not let them! Protect yourself with what ever armor you have. Usually it's to continually move forward, that is how one wins battles.

Regards,
Geoff Kole

Hey Gang!
It was a nice week, we have a great bunch of comics helping out at the shows and they are getting funnier all the time. Tired of working with assholes and self-serving individuals. There are comics with good acts offering me time when I put them up. Then there are the comics who have nothing to offer or are of no help at all. That's a tough call…if they are very funny than so be it, if they are about as funny or a little funnier than someone who helps me, well time to think about my own needs first.


Road shows, going very well. However I'm noticing producers are being forced to put up acts that don't belong on stage. Because they are friends or help the management they get time and stink up the shows. Another tough call however bullies should no longer be tolerated. We can all do something to combat the Imperialist forces and created a safe haven in this business for artists! It's up to each of us to make it happen. Unfortunately one may have to open a club to make this happen…hey hey!

I'm in an agreement with a club on the West Side of NYC. The manager broke many agreements already and now I feel stuck. However after speaking to the owner, which did nothing, and spending some time away I have the answer. Not to deal with people in the entertainment business that do not keep promises. Anyone who permits or tolerates this sort of thing is part of the problem. I don't have the answers however if we can come together in theory we will squash the roaches out of our business (not Joe Rocha lol)!

Overlooked…every feel passed over for a promotion? I was promised on at a club in the Tri-State Area. They promised me a New Talent Booker promotion, then gave it to someone else who will never book me, ain't that special? My prior notes have advised others to be careful about working for clubs. The management may resent you, and then promote someone who cares less about humanity than you do. The person they promote will have mastered one thing that gives the new owners a feeling of security. The only weapon is success and independence.

Ok gang that's all for now! Keep up the good work and just roll with it. Don't let the maggots and fucktards get you down (am I bitter? Naw!). Keep fighting the good fight. Oh and don't fight so much, create things being easier.

Good Night and Good Luck
Geoff Kole

OK- the gossip...

I got my ass reamed out at a new times square area room last Friday by management because....I was not doing my part to have comics bring friends to the new show / meaning I was booking those with a following to other rooms. However I never agreed to that from the start. I only book my people where they want to get booked, no one wanted to do that show those weeks. Basically- only by allowing others to persuade me towards their point of view did I sheepishly agree by not putting my foot down. People always put your foot down don’t let people do your talking for you.

Also they were pissed that I should have told them I didn’t have time to put in. First off no excuses, 2nd the owner advised he was going to book the room out anyway if our numbers were not good; in 1 to 2 weeks. Then I find out that the 4 people who are booking this room independently of each other were holding the room for me and my partner; who has the inside relationship with the club anyhow.

Ok, first off I signed up for a weekly show that was a free cover/no drink minimum deal in which comics would be fed and given free booze for helping out. That deal dried up fast and I foolishly rolled with "the new deal" which involves building a show from scratch. LESSON HERE...Don’t ever agree to a deal after a new one is slipped in it’s place; until you consider it carefully. Chances are it won’t work otherwise you would have though of it already.

More news...I had a oversold show at another Times square room and the tech guy didn’t think Air Conditioning was necessary, because it was not the Spring. Also maybe because....the place did not have any freon in it? Hum.....Ok so I kept the door open and the club kept closing it because the landlord felt it blocked his camera. So...they wanted me to roast my people! I would not let that happen, sorry KFC my people are not deep fried! The doors being opened helped out very much. RULE OF THUMB...When producing a show never assume management cares about you or anyone else. Make sure they have a working A/C system. I’ve been roasted several times before by a few sociopaths who posed as friends of mine in management. Do not trust anyone in management they are not your friends. They are business people and are under pressure to make money; your well being is not necessarily a consideration.

Also- be careful when producing. Clubs hate producers (yes they do!) Good luck getting booked around town when you run shows unless you trade with other producers. I used to get a bunch of spots at one club now others not doing my numbers are getting them, along with others who don’t put money in the clubs pocket. Useless in my opinion however less threatening to the clubs. RULE- most clubs will look at you as either "funny or money." They like the universe conspire to prevent people from being totally happy. Solution- do what you want to do, even if it’s Producing. BTW- I don’t mean waving people in for free somewhere. That is not producing, that’s soliciting; still valuable: I do it! I MEAN generating 1-3,000 dollar per evening, that’s a threat to many managers egos. And they box you in as most people are lazy; "she’s a Producer," and that’s the end. Solution really is to keep doing what you do best, do it better than anyone else. If a club won’t book you, get powerful friends, own a club, run your own shows. Become an undeniable force that no one can deny- that is your mission. Mine as well.

Road gig I book: Shows are going very well however no more "bringer spots" up past 1.5 hours into the show. Also my show was not on the website calender? Also I don’t know if they like me anymore? Ain’t the nuts...am I nuts? After helping to put 150 plus into the room on a weeknight I can’t even get a call back. Just an occasional email. How about, "nice job Geoff thank you." RULE- no one owes us anything and as Dale Carnegie would say expect in gratitude. However....when I went to the club last week they were very nice and fed me like a king, thank you guys! I did not ask for a guest spot on that show I helped book as the host put up his girlfriend who was not booked and there was not time in my opinion. RULE..sometimes lovers can get stage time simply because of a relationship (da!). Fair? I don’t know what do you think? How about no such thing as a free lunch!

Acting: I’m back in class and it’s amazing! RULE- When seeking acting teachers ask actors no comics who are not actors who is good. Try HB Studios Jim Boerlin- auditions required.

Ok Gang. hope you enjoyed my notes/ seeking assistants for the newsletter once it is up and running.
Regards,

Geoff Kole

www.geoffkole.com
www.myspace.com/geoffkole
"Do not be afraid to have ideals and standards

Well I've learned that being pleasant is the way to go. Many comics complain they are not treated with respect, even if they call a few hours before a fully booked show requesting(demanding more like it passive aggressively) a spot. I used to get so upset because I've wanted to help people. Yet comics would confront me even while I was walking towards the stage to do my set. I was right to feel angry however expressing it although justified is not helpful, to anyone. Finally I've learned how to offer assistance inspite of the circumstances presented. Becoming angry is the quickest way to get a bad reputation even if your a nice person and booking shows. Do not permit others to get you upset. Offer assistance and be careful about your promises. Currently I've decided to do my best to help others inspite of the pressure I'm under to bring a show in. If you are a comic reading this kindly go easy on the booker, especially if they are a comic. When you come visit a show simply saying hello and advising you'll be around a while is the same thing as requesting a spot. We know your there. Hopefully this will help a few people out.

Wuz up ya-all! Another night of Producing and doing stand up comedy. Some of my jokes worked very well, cool! I dealth with management trying to make me feel bad but hey, it ain't personal shun! Once you take it personally it's all over brotha! That's when they have you. Have options, keep them open then exersize them when you need to. Pa-eace!