3 Things That Will Inspire Your Comedy Career
If you are looking for a little inspiration in your comedy career, I have found three things — a book, a movie and a documentary — that really spoke to me recently, and if you don't mine, I'd love to recommend them to you.
- Comedy, Comedy, Comedy, Drama
by Bob OdenkirkWho wouldn’t want to have Bob Odenkirk’s career? Most of us would be happy with 10% of it. In his new memoir, Bob Odenkirk looks back at his career in show business, and it’s not only inspiring, it is downright funny, too. At one point in the book, I actually laughed out loud, and I rarely laugh at anything, let alone something written. What I really like about this book is that it highlights both his successes and failures, making the subtle point that you have to have a lot more failures than successes to succeed in show business.Odenkirk talks about creating the iconic SNL sketch with Chris Farley where Farley played the motivational speaker, the hard work that it took to get the cult classic sketch show Mr. Show on the TV, and how he originally turned down Better Call Saul.
He is someone who seems to be objective about his life and his career. When talking about his years working at SNL, he is honest with us that he had a chip on his shoulder and a bad attitude. Through sharing his successes and many failures, he passes along lessons to us. Bob has always had the reputation of mentoring comedy groups and people in the business, and this book in a lot of ways is an extension of that work. For anyone who wants to have a career in comedy and show business, this is must read. I love saying must read, especially when it's true.
- Sing 2
Anyone who has ever put up a show or been a part of theater or improv group is going to love this movie. The plot is about a producer/director named Buster Moon (Matthew McConaughey) who, along with his rag tag group of community theater animals, gets in over their heads trying to pull off a Vegas-style show. I loved it because it brought me back to my days at The Annoyance Theater when we were the underdog in the theater community in Chicago. Plus, the soundtrack is really good. The music is a combinitation of rock classics like “Let's Go Crazy” by Prince and “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” by Elton John, as well as pop song like “Sky Full of Stars” by Coldplay and “Can’t Feel My Face” by the Weekend.For me, what made me cry at the end, and I haven't cried at animated movie since Up, is that it made me appreciate the good times I had putting up shows and that sense of family or community you get from your cast. - Lucy and Desi (on Amazon Prime)
Amy Poehler directed this documentary about the partnership between Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz in creating the hit sitcom I Love Lucy. What I found so inspiring is that they were both innovators and I loved how they both thrived creatively in their partnership. Lucy was the first female star of any sitcom and she influenced generations of female comedians and actors. Though her comedy seemed so effortless on I Love Lucy, in the documentary you learn that was only because she rehearsed her ass off. She not only had talent, but she also was willing to put in the work. Though Lucy was getting credit in front of the camera, Desi gets credit behind the scenes for inventing things that now have become standard in filming sitcoms. I think Amy Poehler's experience with UCB and SNL, which are both based on collaboration, really made her appreciate that in Lucy and Desi’s relations, and she helps bring that out in this documentary.