Lee Camp

Host

Comedy & Activism

Jul 15, 2013·117 visitors

Ted Alexandro

Cohost

Stage· 166 messages

Jul 15, 2013

Lee Camp · 3:07 AM

★ Spotlighted from Blake Ian

“Well THIS looks awesome.”

Lee Camp · 6:39 PM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Sudy

“Monday meets Comedy. Thank goodness.”

Lee Camp · 6:57 PM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

“My Monday just got way better.”

Lee Camp · 6:59 PM

★ Spotlighted from Kelly Carlin

“Two of my favorite humans earth!”

Lee Camp · 7:00 PM

Hey folks, welcome to my Tawk with Ted - or Ted Tawk if you will.

Ted Alexandro · 7:00 PM

Ha! Hello Lee and all.

Lee Camp · 7:01 PM

Some quick notes for those new to Tawkers - Ted and I can't see everything you say in the "audience" - We can only see things that are voted up. So vote for the comments you like.

Lee Camp · 7:01 PM

Give 'em a thumbs up if they're good.

Lee Camp · 7:01 PM

Also tell people you're over here with us and get some more asses in the seats, as it were. OK, enough with the house keeping

Lee Camp · 7:02 PM

Welcome, Ted, world famous comedian from Comedy Central, Letterman, Conan, and everywhere. How ya doin?

Ted Alexandro · 7:02 PM

I'm great, thanks Lee. Thanks for asking me to tawk with you.

Lee Camp · 7:03 PM

I've never asked you this - have you been an activist of some sort your whole life or that came later?

Ted Alexandro · 7:03 PM

No, I am relatively new to activism. Occupy Wall Street is what "converted" me from interested observer to active participant.

Lee Camp · 7:04 PM

Ah, okay, but I know you were active in starting a comedian union in NYC about a decade ago. I was new to NY then.

Ted Alexandro · 7:04 PM

I grew up in a family that talked a lot about social issues, social justice, so it was always something I cared about.

Ted Alexandro · 7:04 PM

Yes, I was one of the comics who started the NYC Comedians Coalition.

Lee Camp · 7:05 PM

How was that experience for someone behind the scenes? Miserable? or exciting?

Lee Camp · 7:05 PM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

“Going to have to cover the George Zimmerman verdict, or is that a distraction?”

Lee Camp · 7:05 PM

We'll get to that Jordan...

Ted Alexandro · 7:05 PM

It was exciting, invigorating, exasperating. Everything that activism is. We worked to increase the pay of NY comics. Our pay had been the same since the mid 80s.

Ted Alexandro · 7:06 PM

Trying to get several hundred comedians organized was an interesting task but we were able to do it and make some positive changes.

Lee Camp · 7:06 PM

Yeah, it was quite impressive. ...I was gonna get to this later, but as long as you mentioned it - why has the comedy boom of the 80's and 90's disappeared in your opinion? Or has it?

Lee Camp · 7:07 PM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“That's probably a fun group of people to get organized though. :)”

Ted Alexandro · 7:08 PM

I don't think it has. I think comedy is booming right now, actually. There are more clubs than ever and more diverse "scenes" within comedy, representing more diverse voices.

Ted Alexandro · 7:08 PM

★ Spotlighted from Durable Brad

“Who do you think of as a modern day Mark Twain?”

Lee Camp · 7:08 PM

Fair point. How about political comedy or at least politically active comedians like you and me - Why do you feel there aren't more?

Ted Alexandro · 7:09 PM

To answer Brad, I think George Carlin is the pinnacle. Chris Rock and Louis CK and Doug Standhope and my man Lee Camp are doing great stuff along those lines.

Lee Camp · 7:09 PM

@Brad - I would say it was George Carlin until he left us. (which was very rude of him!)

Ted Alexandro · 7:10 PM

I think it's hard, Lee. It's a harder task than just simply being entertaining. And you have to be relatively informed, too, so that's a problem.

Lee Camp · 7:10 PM

I'm really curious - were you worried during Occupy that it would hurt your bookings at all?

Ted Alexandro · 7:10 PM

I also love Matt Burke, who is a Long Island based comic who does social commentary. He's in the Bill HIcks mold.

Lee Camp · 7:11 PM

You had (and continue to have ) a huge career opening for people like Louis CK and Lewis Black - Did you worry about losing bookings?

Ted Alexandro · 7:11 PM

No, I never thought about it. The same as with the NY Comedians Coaltion; I proceed along the path that compels me and I figure everything else will work itself out from there.

Lee Camp · 7:11 PM

George Carlin and Bill Hicks

Ted Alexandro · 7:11 PM

Oddly enough, most of the bookings you mention came after my OWS involvement, so no- it hasn't seemed to hurt.

Lee Camp · 7:12 PM

That's good to hear. I've lost some but I've gained some and this path is ultimately much more rewarding.

Lee Camp · 7:13 PM

What was it about OWS that drew you out? I mean, there's the obvious reasons but I suppose people could argue the issues were there before OWS. And it wasn't like you showed up reluctantly after months - I saw you down in Zuccotti in the first week.

Lee Camp · 7:13 PM

★ Spotlighted from Durable Brad

“Chris rock has been very supportive of the President to the point of calling him our dad. Why do you think he's softened on government?”

Ted Alexandro · 7:13 PM

Yes, I think that's usually the balance. It's the same with people who follow you on social media; maybe you'll lose a certain amount who are like "Enough already with the activism" but you'll gain as many or more who say "I dig your comedy & activis

Ted Alexandro · 7:14 PM

Yes, I went down to Zuccotti Park the third day and kept going back. Again, it's that intuitive thing of recognizing something that resonates with you and compels you to get involved.

Lee Camp · 7:14 PM

Yeah, and I find the people who both love your comedy and care about the issues are the types of fans that will stick with you and fight for you - as opposed to someone who only finds you funny.

Ted Alexandro · 7:15 PM

It was an environment of compassionate, well informed people who were confronting injustice on myriad levels. And I fell in love with the whole scene.

Ted Alexandro · 7:15 PM

I agree. I prefer folks who are open to those types of issues as fans, but I get that it's not for everyone.

Lee Camp · 7:16 PM

We've been at a lot of events and protests together, and I feel like I'm the anger and you're the zen. Ha. Do you get angry? What do you do with it? Do you go home and break all your dishes when we aren't looking?

Lee Camp · 7:16 PM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

“Anyone else watch The Newsroom last night? Looks like we're going to be revisiting OWS this season quite a bit...they should have cast Lee and Ted!”

Lee Camp · 7:17 PM

@Jordan - Yes, saw that.

Lee Camp · 7:18 PM

@Jordan - The most unrealistic part was the idea of the media covering OWS before it even started.

Lee Camp · 7:18 PM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“the thing I find bizarre about becoming a fan of someone like Lee or Ted is that people seem so shocked by the truth and by people who tell the truth it actually fascinates me a little. I don't understand that.”

Ted Alexandro · 7:18 PM

Ha, my dishes are in good condition. Yes, I do get angry; that's part of why I'm out there. But we could be angry 24/7 if we wanted to. So I try to take the long view and see that we are part of a long history of struggle. But anger is part of it.

Lee Camp · 7:19 PM

@Ted Yeah, you do have to take the long view, otherwise it will break you. Seeing things like the abortion law in TX is just really rough if you don't take a step back and see the big picture.

Lee Camp · 7:19 PM

★ Spotlighted from Durable Brad

“If only there was a remedy for cognitive dissonance.”

Ted Alexandro · 7:19 PM

Rachel, I agree- some folks seem to want to compartmentalize, "Why don't you just tell jokes?" But I think it's part of who I am as a person so if I can bring that to the stage, I do.

Ted Alexandro · 7:20 PM

Exactly. There are so many examples of that. If anger was our default, we might not get anything done. Anger, as you so beautifully demonstrate, has to morph into thought and action.

Lee Camp · 7:20 PM

I am so grateful for you both! Its one thing to talk about the state of the world but you also show up, as a human being to contribute to bettering society

Lee Camp · 7:20 PM

Thanks Bell. Seeing as you don't have a photo, I'm wondering if you're my mom.

Lee Camp · 7:22 PM

@Ted - speaking of action, I saw you were marching for Trayvon the other day. Any thoughts? I'm doing an MOC on it today about how this needs to be about much more than this one case.

Ted Alexandro · 7:22 PM

Yes, I was there yesterday. It's such an overwhelming thing. As you say, it's not just about this one case, though it is unspeakably tragic.

Lee Camp · 7:23 PM

★ Spotlighted from Durable Brad

“The big picture is scary.”

Ted Alexandro · 7:23 PM

There's so much to consider. Again, taking the long view- America is a country that historically disenfranchises and criminalizes black and brown skin.

Lee Camp · 7:24 PM

Yeah, some of the facts are mind-blowing, like the fact that the number one determinate of whether a person gets the death penalty is race OF THE VICTIM, meaning killing a black person is not a big deal - as we're seeing with Trayvon Martin.

Ted Alexandro · 7:24 PM

Recent cases like Sean Bell, Ramarley Graham, Kimani Gray, Shantel Davis... it's really an epidemic, so it's hard to look at a single case when unarmed black people are being murdered regularly.

Lee Camp · 7:25 PM

Does thinking about it ever bring you to a place where it's hard to be funny? Or does comedy help keep you sane? (I think for me it's the second.)

Lee Camp · 7:25 PM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“yeah and when you make it funny I think it does make it easier for people to think about..”

Ted Alexandro · 7:26 PM

Exactly. And the fact that Zimmerman killed Trayvon Martin in February and wasn't arrested until six weeks later in April. He walked into the police station himself.

Lee Camp · 7:26 PM

★ Spotlighted from Rebecca Westbrook Toker

“You guys have found an audience for your rants - and I appreciate hearing people say the things that I think. But how do you talk to "regular people"? Most people DO NOT WANT TO HEAR THIS SHIT. Advice?”

Lee Camp · 7:26 PM

@Rebecca - I think comedy is a great way to get people willing to talk about it.

Lee Camp · 7:27 PM

★ Spotlighted from Sophia Belita

“did you just claim to be sane, lee??”

Lee Camp · 7:27 PM

@Sophia - Fair point.

Ted Alexandro · 7:27 PM

That is a struggle sometimes but it's our job. A lot of people don't feel like going to their job a lot of the time. I can "power through" and get up on stage to share my thoughts.

Ted Alexandro · 7:27 PM

But honestly, I find that often times when I am most burnt out and don't particularly feel like performing, I can be surprised by how great it goes.

Lee Camp · 7:28 PM

@Ted - Yeah, I often find that if I'm torn apart before I go onstage, my mood is different afterward. Sometimes just yelling about this shit gets it off my chest.

Ted Alexandro · 7:29 PM

Definitely. I think there is something about the shared experience that can be uplifting and therapeutic in ways, for both audience and performer.

Lee Camp · 7:29 PM

When you started in comedy did you ever think it might one day be connected to activism and the day's news? Or was it just about comedy?

Ted Alexandro · 7:29 PM

When I started, I didn't really have that scope or perspective.

Ted Alexandro · 7:30 PM

That evolved over time as I grew up and traveled and was exposed to more. And I think 9/11 and the Bush years were a shift for me, too.

Lee Camp · 7:30 PM

Yeah, nothing slaps you awake like the Bush years

Ted Alexandro · 7:31 PM

So I went from being an introspective joke writer to having a more worldly view and incorporating social commentary, because it was on my mind.

Lee Camp · 7:31 PM

As Dave Attel woulda said - It wakes you up like a tongue in the ass.

Ted Alexandro · 7:31 PM

Yeah, that packed a wallop.

Ted Alexandro · 7:31 PM

Good morning!

Lee Camp · 7:32 PM

Is live performance your favorite medium? Or you like comedic acting, etc. too?

Lee Camp · 7:32 PM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

“@Lee before or after a shower?”

Ted Alexandro · 7:33 PM

I actually started out acting in plays in HS, college, community theater. I did a lot of musical theater; that's how I got my early performance chops, singing "I just met a girl named Maria!"

Lee Camp · 7:33 PM

★ Spotlighted from Durable Brad

“Identifying with victims is the hallmark of empathy. Humor often comes from the irony of that realization.”

Lee Camp · 7:33 PM

So you were standing up for minorities even then!

Ted Alexandro · 7:33 PM

So I love acting but yes, comedy is my favorite because it's direct, personal and uncompromised. It's your thoughts to a roomful of people.

Ted Alexandro · 7:33 PM

Haha! Yes, I sympathized with The Sharks.

Lee Camp · 7:34 PM

You just did a web series called "Teacher Lounge" - How was that experience?

Lee Camp · 7:34 PM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“wohoo to theater and the arts! <3”

Ted Alexandro · 7:35 PM

It was great. My writing partner, Hollis James, and I wrote a web series called Teachers Lounge based on my experience as a former NYC elementary school music teacher.

Ted Alexandro · 7:35 PM

We shot four episodes featuring Lewis Black, Judy Gold, Judah Friedlander, Ted Leo and Janeane Garofalo.

Lee Camp · 7:36 PM

Amazing comics - all of them.

Ted Alexandro · 7:36 PM

The basic idea is I'm the music teacher, Hollis is the janitor and we're always hanging out in the Teacher's Lounge. Then other comics come in playing faculty.

Lee Camp · 7:36 PM

Was it pure fun? Or was it challenging?

Ted Alexandro · 7:37 PM

Yes, definitely! It was a thrill to have all these folks say "Yes." So where it's at now is we are pitching it as a half hour pilot for TV. We're in the process of going through pitch meetings.

Ted Alexandro · 7:37 PM

It was both.

Ted Alexandro · 7:37 PM

It was a thrill to write it and have these folks say yes. The shooting and all of the organizing of schedules, etc. was challenging but in the best ways.

Ted Alexandro · 7:38 PM

I like organizing and I like being hands on and DIY so I enjoyed the whole process.

Lee Camp · 7:38 PM

Yeah, tell me about it. It took me 6 months just to schedule you for this Tawk. Your business manager's dog wouldn't forward you the emails. It was a mess.

Lee Camp · 7:38 PM

★ Spotlighted from Durable Brad

“Have you considered working on a comedic screenplay about your OWS experience?”

Ted Alexandro · 7:38 PM

I have to tawk to that dog.

Lee Camp · 7:39 PM

@Brad - I'll let Ted answer that, but in my opinion, it's hard to make comedy about OWS without it looking like you're making fun of it. Maybe it's possible though.

Ted Alexandro · 7:39 PM

Brad- it takes me a while to process things but I think I have a book or something in me regarding OWS and my experiences with it. But it's ongoing so we'll see.

Lee Camp · 7:39 PM

Much more fun (in my opinion) to make fun of the corporate titans of dickery.

Ted Alexandro · 7:40 PM

Agreed, Lee. I don't know that I'd necessarily have a comedic take on it, but maybe in spots.

Lee Camp · 7:40 PM

We got about ten minutes left, if anyone has questions for Ted, shout 'em out.

Ted Alexandro · 7:40 PM

That's another part of the evolution; allowing folks to see that you have various sides and I don't always want or need to be funny. You know, Lee?

Lee Camp · 7:41 PM

Yeah, I could a memoir that was quite funny at times, like your story you tell about being arrested is pretty hilarious at times, but it's meant to be much more than funny. It's really heartfelt and awesome in other ways.

Ted Alexandro · 7:41 PM

"Something's coming! I don't know what it is, but it is gonna be GREAT!" - West Side Story

Ted Alexandro · 7:42 PM

Exactly. So you have to get comfortable with the different colors and allow yourself to express them, so that the need or expectation isn't always the one color of hilarity.

Lee Camp · 7:42 PM

Since you like to take the longview, what's the longview, Ted? Where are we hairless monkeys gonna take this planet?

Lee Camp · 7:42 PM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“is there a link to the webseries?”

Ted Alexandro · 7:42 PM

You can see a promo teaser for Teachers Lounge at www.tedalexandro.com.

Lee Camp · 7:43 PM

★ Spotlighted from Sophia Belita

“does it ever bother you that people expect you to be funny all the time?”

Ted Alexandro · 7:43 PM

I honestly don't know what the hairless monkeys have in store. I think the mission is to always make the next decision and take the next step.

Ted Alexandro · 7:44 PM

Tap into the activism circles and see what is going on. Show up and participate. That's what I try to do. Your body is the biggest statement you can make; your presence. Where do you put yourself?

Lee Camp · 7:44 PM

@Sophia - Yeah, it can be annoying if I'm trying to hit on a serious subject. The worst is when you're on a radio program or something they're being idiots and expecting you to be an idiot too.

Ted Alexandro · 7:45 PM

Sophia- I agree with Lee, it can be somewhat annoying but I'm comfortable not being funny. In fact, I'm pretty good at it; so I'm fine with it.

Lee Camp · 7:45 PM

@Ted - And what that speaks to is that we have to remember we completely outnumber "them." Those of us who want a fair, equal, and just world WAY outnumber those fighting against it.

Ted Alexandro · 7:45 PM

I spend most of my time not being funny.

Lee Camp · 7:45 PM

@Ted - I don't know, when i've seen you, you suck at not being funny.

Lee Camp · 7:46 PM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

“Is OWS going to make a comeback? What's it waiting for?”

Ted Alexandro · 7:46 PM

That is so true, Lee. The media and all outlets of information overwhelmingly keep that suppressed but I agree that most people want a just, fair, equitable world for all.

Lee Camp · 7:46 PM

★ Spotlighted from Sophia Belita

“i think you both suck at not being funny..”

Ted Alexandro · 7:47 PM

People express it in other ways. Like a video of a bear rescuing a kitten or something. I think they're saying "Why can't we all love one another?"

Ted Alexandro · 7:47 PM

Don't call it a comeback!- LL Cool J

Lee Camp · 7:47 PM

Ha. That's true. Maybe I should stop being so hard on all those viral kitten video people.

Ted Alexandro · 7:48 PM

Jordan- OWS hasn't disappeared. It was made up of human beings. After the NYPD brutally evicted Zuccotti Park, all those folks got to work on other things. Occupy Sandy for example.

Lee Camp · 7:48 PM

And Strike Debt and Occupy Foreclosures...

Lee Camp · 7:48 PM

I agree, things are still very much bubbling.

Lee Camp · 7:49 PM

The question is simply when enough people will wake up to hit the tipping point .

Lee Camp · 7:49 PM

★ Spotlighted from Susan Tribby

“we have to find a way to communicate with the other side - the teaparty side, for instance”

Ted Alexandro · 7:49 PM

Absolutely, Lee. So many great things going on without the media spotlight that Zuccotti Park and the various Occupations nationwide provided. But those folks are all still out there doing good things.

Ted Alexandro · 7:50 PM

That is a good question, Lee. I was contemplating the word "activist" the other day. Even that seems odd, that there has to be a word for taking action and getting involved. If everyone did it, it wouldn't be called "activism" it would be being human

Lee Camp · 7:50 PM

Totally.

Lee Camp · 7:51 PM

I think we need to continue to find a way to keep fighting together, keep getting the word and the news out - whether be comedy or other art forms. I recently started a "clarity collective" tumblr where I want to highlight all kinds of activist art.

Lee Camp · 7:51 PM

www.Clarity-Collective.tumblr.com

Ted Alexandro · 7:51 PM

I think people think activism is all consuming, too. You can still have a full life. You can show up to a rally for Justice for Trayvon at 6pm and be home at 8pm for your favorite whatever show.

Lee Camp · 7:52 PM

Damn straight. Or in your case, you can be onstage with Louis CK at 6pm and at the rally at 8pm.

Ted Alexandro · 7:52 PM

That's great stuff, Lee. Yes, getting the word out about all the good stuff going on is key. And I've met some of the most passionate, informed, interesting people through activism, so I encourage everyone to partake

Ted Alexandro · 7:52 PM

Such as yourself, Mr. Lee Camp.

Lee Camp · 7:52 PM

Aw sucks.

Lee Camp · 7:52 PM

Where to next for you?

Ted Alexandro · 7:53 PM

Yes, definitely.

Lee Camp · 7:53 PM

Is it a summer protesting in NYC for you or elsewhere?

Lee Camp · 7:53 PM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

“Wow - you guys were really awesome. And Lee and Ted didn't stink, either.”

Lee Camp · 7:53 PM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“people want to be "blissfully ignorant" but there will come a time when they no longer have that option.. this corruption will and has touched everyone in one way or another if the people can realize that then change may be possible”

Ted Alexandro · 7:53 PM

Yesterday I did a show at Tompkins Square Park at 3pm and then went to the rally at 6pm. Still made it home at 9 for my stories.

Lee Camp · 7:53 PM

HA. A lot of Judge Joe Brown for you, huh?

Ted Alexandro · 7:54 PM

I will be home in NYC for most of the summer. I'll be performing around the NY clubs.

Ted Alexandro · 7:54 PM

Yes, Judge Joe Brown and reruns of Judge Judy.

Lee Camp · 7:54 PM

Awesome. How best can everyone keep in touch with you and your shows?

Ted Alexandro · 7:54 PM

I'm also involved with Occupy Astoria Long Island City, which a bunch of us started up in my neighborhood. We are very active.

Ted Alexandro · 7:55 PM

Folks can check out www.occupyastorialic.org for that stuff.

Lee Camp · 7:55 PM

Or as I like to call it "You are all very human."

Ted Alexandro · 7:55 PM

For my shows it's all at www.tedalexandro.com

Lee Camp · 7:55 PM

★ Spotlighted from Sophia Belita

“I love you guys! Thank you so much for all you do! Keep Fighting! :-)”

Ted Alexandro · 7:55 PM

hahaha, yes we are!

Lee Camp · 7:56 PM

Thank you Ted so much for doing this. Everybody please keep in touch at LeeCamp.net and TedAlexandro.com

Lee Camp · 7:56 PM

And we'll see you all at the next march!

Ted Alexandro · 7:56 PM

Thank you, Lee. Great chatting with you and everyone. Thanks to all who came by.

Ted Alexandro · 7:56 PM

Yessir! I'll see you soon, pal. Thanks for all you do.

Lee Camp · 7:56 PM

★ Spotlighted from Rebecca Westbrook Toker

“Thank you both. :)”

Lee Camp · 7:57 PM

Honor to chat with ya. Keep fighting, everybody.

Ted Alexandro · 7:57 PM

Peace, y'all!

Lee Camp · 7:57 PM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“Thanks Ted! Thanks Lee! :)”

Forum · 99

Forum· 99 comments

117 visitors

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Tawkers AdminJul 13, 2013, 1:02 AM

Welcome to the Forum, everyone! If you want to get involved, click “Who is Here” and then “Listen” to the people whose comments you want to see.

Blake IanJul 13, 2013, 1:03 AM★ Spotlighted

Well THIS looks awesome.

Jordan BirnbaumJul 14, 2013, 4:26 PM★ Spotlighted

My Monday just got way better.

Jordan SudyJul 15, 2013, 4:50 PM★ Spotlighted

Monday meets Comedy. Thank goodness.

Kelly CarlinJul 15, 2013, 6:16 PM★ Spotlighted

Two of my favorite humans earth!

Kelly CarlinJul 15, 2013, 6:17 PM

I meant "on earth" duh

Lucy DyerJul 15, 2013, 6:22 PM

you were just over come with emotion,Kelly...

Lucy DyerJul 15, 2013, 7:00 PM

ted talk? is he furry and cuddly too?

Jordan BirnbaumJul 15, 2013, 7:01 PM★ Spotlighted

Going to have to cover the George Zimmerman verdict, or is that a distraction?

Lucy DyerJul 15, 2013, 7:02 PM

see how it goes JB

Jordan BirnbaumJul 15, 2013, 7:04 PM

Activism is the inevitable result of doucebaggery run wild.

Durable BradJul 15, 2013, 7:04 PM

What do you think kept Occupy from becoming more visible in politics?

Jordan BirnbaumJul 15, 2013, 7:06 PM

Ted is the Billie Jean King of comedians!

Rachel McDonnellJul 15, 2013, 7:06 PM★ Spotlighted

That's probably a fun group of people to get organized though. :)

Durable BradJul 15, 2013, 7:07 PM★ Spotlighted

Who do you think of as a modern day Mark Twain?

Rachel McDonnellJul 15, 2013, 7:07 PM

And do you know how hard it is to find decent comedy or stand up on television or netflix forget it! :(

Blake IanJul 15, 2013, 7:07 PM

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/22/arts/22comi.html?_r=0

Durable BradJul 15, 2013, 7:10 PM★ Spotlighted

Chris rock has been very supportive of the President to the point of calling him our dad. Why do you think he's softened on government?

Jordan BirnbaumJul 15, 2013, 7:10 PM

how about being a threat to The Man? how much harder does that make it to succeed?

Rachel McDonnellJul 15, 2013, 7:10 PM

speaking of that.. how important do you think being "mainstream" is to a lot of comics?

Blake IanJul 15, 2013, 7:12 PM

FYI - Comedy Activists - Lenny Bruce albums are now on Spotify!

Rachel McDonnellJul 15, 2013, 7:12 PM

people respond to honesty... strange. ;)

Durable BradJul 15, 2013, 7:13 PM

"Lack of money is the root of all evil."- Mark Twain

Jordan BirnbaumJul 15, 2013, 7:13 PM

@Rachel it would be really something if a politician learnhed that lesson...

Rachel McDonnellJul 15, 2013, 7:14 PM

@Jordan yeah I know.. wishful thinking I'm afraid.. instead I think one of their first courses is learning how to lie to the same people that voted them in

Jordan BirnbaumJul 15, 2013, 7:15 PM★ Spotlighted

Anyone else watch The Newsroom last night? Looks like we're going to be revisiting OWS this season quite a bit...they should have cast Lee and Ted!

Durable BradJul 15, 2013, 7:16 PM

When social change becomes an issue for everyone... then we will have justice.

Rachel McDonnellJul 15, 2013, 7:17 PM★ Spotlighted

the thing I find bizarre about becoming a fan of someone like Lee or Ted is that people seem so shocked by the truth and by people who tell the truth it actually fascinates me a little. I don't understand that.

Rachel McDonnellJul 15, 2013, 7:18 PM

@brad but if people would look at the truth social change IS needed for everyone. except the 1%

Durable BradJul 15, 2013, 7:18 PM★ Spotlighted

If only there was a remedy for cognitive dissonance.

Durable BradJul 15, 2013, 7:19 PM★ Spotlighted

The big picture is scary.

Jordan BirnbaumJul 15, 2013, 7:20 PM

I think it is emotionally uncomfortable for people to confront the truth. Especially when it's so easy to feel helpless, which is a shitty feeling.

Rachel McDonnellJul 15, 2013, 7:20 PM

@brad there is a remedy for cognitive dissonance or something that would help - for people to be taught the whole truth and nothing but the truth from childhood cognitive dissonance is nothing more than the result of conditioning

Durable BradJul 15, 2013, 7:21 PM

Anger is just frustration released without violence.

Rachel McDonnellJul 15, 2013, 7:21 PM★ Spotlighted

yeah and when you make it funny I think it does make it easier for people to think about..

Jordan BirnbaumJul 15, 2013, 7:21 PM

@brad - you never met my mother...

Rachel McDonnellJul 15, 2013, 7:22 PM

Yeah and there is a difference between being an angry person and being angry over certain issues.. I think Lee finds the right balance.

Jordan BirnbaumJul 15, 2013, 7:22 PM

@highway - start telling your kids about the JFK assassination.

Durable BradJul 15, 2013, 7:22 PM

Media is expert at using stereotypes to create conflict.

Rebecca Westbrook TokerJul 15, 2013, 7:23 PM★ Spotlighted

You guys have found an audience for your rants - and I appreciate hearing people say the things that I think. But how do you talk to "regular people"? Most people DO NOT WANT TO HEAR THIS SHIT. Advice?

Sophia BelitaJul 15, 2013, 7:24 PM

Zimmerman IS brown!!!!

Rachel McDonnellJul 15, 2013, 7:24 PM

Trayvon Martin that whole thing was just a travesty.. racial profiling has never left our country nor has racism..

Durable BradJul 15, 2013, 7:24 PM

When we are all subject to police brutality... even then nothing changes. SEE: OWS

Jordan BirnbaumJul 15, 2013, 7:25 PM

Just an extension of "PIC" - Prison Indiustrial Complex. Also required to spell "despicable."

Sophia BelitaJul 15, 2013, 7:26 PM★ Spotlighted

did you just claim to be sane, lee??

Rachel McDonnellJul 15, 2013, 7:26 PM

@brad yeah I think that it is important to bring the poor class into the discussion about the martin / zimmerman case although they were both minorities it IS another example of how the poor are pitted against each other, as well as racial profiling

Rebecca Westbrook TokerJul 15, 2013, 7:26 PM

@ Rachel on Cognitive Dissonance: This is the biggest reason I've moved completely away from public school in my career and for my kid. It's taken me over 10 years to unlearn what I should have learned correctly from the beginning.

Durable BradJul 15, 2013, 7:26 PM

Why talk about this case instead of Bradley Manning?

Jordan BirnbaumJul 15, 2013, 7:27 PM

@Rebecca good news is...YOU'RE FUNNY!

Rachel McDonnellJul 15, 2013, 7:28 PM

@Rebecca Good for you! It starts the minute we start to question things. I think being honest with children and everyone is the best policy only way to move forward right? :)

Sophia BelitaJul 15, 2013, 7:29 PM

you cant just be honest with kids, you have to show them there is a different way to go abou tthings.

Rebecca Westbrook TokerJul 15, 2013, 7:29 PM

Ha - thanks, Jordan. I don't believe you, but I'll take it. It's like Langston Hughes and "Laughing to keep from crying."

Durable BradJul 15, 2013, 7:29 PM★ Spotlighted

Identifying with victims is the hallmark of empathy. Humor often comes from the irony of that realization.

Sophia BelitaJul 15, 2013, 7:29 PM

same with adults

Rachel McDonnellJul 15, 2013, 7:30 PM

@bell I am also from Minnesota.. small world lol

Sophia BelitaJul 15, 2013, 7:30 PM

good point brad :-)

Jordan BirnbaumJul 15, 2013, 7:31 PM★ Spotlighted

@Lee before or after a shower?

Rebecca Westbrook TokerJul 15, 2013, 7:31 PM

@ Rachel - When you know better, you HAVE to do better or you have to shut off. A responsible human does better.

Sophia BelitaJul 15, 2013, 7:32 PM

jordan its hard to wake up AFTER a shower

Rachel McDonnellJul 15, 2013, 7:32 PM

@sophia yep that's how my mom raised me.. she gave me the facts and let me construct how to think of them myself..

Durable BradJul 15, 2013, 7:32 PM★ Spotlighted

Have you considered working on a comedic screenplay about your OWS experience?

Sophia BelitaJul 15, 2013, 7:33 PM

hard to shower before you wake up

Rachel McDonnellJul 15, 2013, 7:33 PM

hahaha Lee

Rachel McDonnellJul 15, 2013, 7:33 PM★ Spotlighted

wohoo to theater and the arts! <3

Rachel McDonnellJul 15, 2013, 7:35 PM

One of the last free forms of expression.. Gotta keep the arts alive. :)

Jordan BirnbaumJul 15, 2013, 7:38 PM

@sophia expecting my comments to make sense might be setting the bar a little too high...

Sophia BelitaJul 15, 2013, 7:39 PM

lol jordan enuff sed

Jordan BirnbaumJul 15, 2013, 7:40 PM

What about a non-comedic screenplay?

Durable BradJul 15, 2013, 7:40 PM

You guys are too hard on yourselves. I think you could make anything funny.

Sophia BelitaJul 15, 2013, 7:41 PM★ Spotlighted

does it ever bother you that people expect you to be funny all the time?

Durable BradJul 15, 2013, 7:41 PM

Thank you for connecting with us. We'll continue to support your work!

Susan TribbyJul 15, 2013, 7:41 PM

the dawning of the age of Aquarius

Rachel McDonnellJul 15, 2013, 7:41 PM★ Spotlighted

is there a link to the webseries?

Rachel McDonnellJul 15, 2013, 7:43 PM

thanks! :) It sounds really interesting.. we need some great comedies on tv anyway..

Rachel McDonnellJul 15, 2013, 7:44 PM

well I wish you all the luck in getting the show up and running! :)

Jordan BirnbaumJul 15, 2013, 7:44 PM★ Spotlighted

Is OWS going to make a comeback? What's it waiting for?

Sophia BelitaJul 15, 2013, 7:45 PM★ Spotlighted

i think you both suck at not being funny..

Susan TribbyJul 15, 2013, 7:46 PM

takes one to know one

Jordan BirnbaumJul 15, 2013, 7:47 PM

A BEAR RESCUED A KITTEN?!?!?!?!

Rachel McDonnellJul 15, 2013, 7:47 PM

haaha @ Jordan

Sophia BelitaJul 15, 2013, 7:48 PM

jordon you are funny

Susan TribbyJul 15, 2013, 7:48 PM★ Spotlighted

we have to find a way to communicate with the other side - the teaparty side, for instance

Rachel McDonnellJul 15, 2013, 7:48 PM

yes the thing is is that people can't seem to connect to the fact that yes we all DO want peace, love, and no more oppression... people are just expressing it in non-productive or alternative ways to activism maybe?

Jordan BirnbaumJul 15, 2013, 7:48 PM

@susan I think OWS and the Tea Party are the same in that they are both rooted in anti-corruption

Durable BradJul 15, 2013, 7:49 PM

How about Occupy Congress?

Susan TribbyJul 15, 2013, 7:49 PM

we just define corruption differently

Sophia BelitaJul 15, 2013, 7:49 PM

we gotta have at least 100 monkeys by NOW, though. when does it ever tip?

Durable BradJul 15, 2013, 7:51 PM

Occupy Art on facebook

Rachel McDonnellJul 15, 2013, 7:51 PM★ Spotlighted

people want to be "blissfully ignorant" but there will come a time when they no longer have that option.. this corruption will and has touched everyone in one way or another if the people can realize that then change may be possible

Jordan BirnbaumJul 15, 2013, 7:51 PM★ Spotlighted

Wow - you guys were really awesome. And Lee and Ted didn't stink, either.

Durable BradJul 15, 2013, 7:52 PM

AVOID both political parties though.

Rachel McDonnellJul 15, 2013, 7:54 PM

"my stories" lol I think of soap operas lol

Sophia BelitaJul 15, 2013, 7:54 PM★ Spotlighted

I love you guys! Thank you so much for all you do! Keep Fighting! :-)

Rachel McDonnellJul 15, 2013, 7:56 PM★ Spotlighted

Thanks Ted! Thanks Lee! :)

Durable BradJul 15, 2013, 7:56 PM

Support for Bradley Manning and Edward Snowden.

Susan TribbyJul 15, 2013, 7:56 PM

for sure

Rebecca Westbrook TokerJul 15, 2013, 7:56 PM★ Spotlighted

Thank you both. :)

Sam AlbertJun 21, 2014, 10:09 PM

Hey strangers