Attention Comedians

geofftate:

Upon reflection, I rewrote last night’s rant. I am not Batman.

Are you a comedian? Do you host a show? Have you ever said, “your next comedian is a girl?” Why?

Have you ever said, “your next comedian is a guy?”

Have you ever said, “your next comedian is black?”

Why would you say, “your next comedian is hot?” Why would you say, “your next comedian is fuckable?”

How about “your next comedian is a comedian?”

Why marginalize someone based on gender? What if your next comedian was a girl, but not someone you found attractive? Would you say “your next comedian is gross?” Who do you think you are? How dare you?

We are all comedians. If these arguments still do not make sense to you, then maybe this one will. It’s been done already. You’re a hack if you do it.

We are here because we’ve been marginalized by society to some degree already. We have all sought our refuge inside comedy. It’s our safest place. None of us has the right to take that from another. It’s not easy being a comedian. Even the most successful deal with loneliness and the day to day road life that isn’t fun, no matter how much money is in your pocket. We shouldn’t make it harder for other comics to be comics. It’s hard enough already. I understand comedians like to bust balls and shit talk and whatever but I’m talking about real shit. Groping. Making moves on girls after being asked not to. Never referring to a female comedian as anything except female comedian. Marginalizing and dismissing other fucking comedians out of hand based on personal prejudices. We are all just comics. It’s all garbage we wrote into a notebook. We aren’t entitled shit. We certainly don’t get to victimize another comedian just because she’s a girl, or a guy if you’re a predatory lady. (Understand you can’t do this to anyone, but comedy is where I have influence, at least with some who have influence.) We are on the same team and if you aren’t, you’re not on the fucking team anymore. It has to end. Louis isn’t a threat anymore because it’s as public as it’s gonna get, most likely. But other comics are a threat.

If you are sexually predatory, you should get help. Find a therapist. Seek treatment. Perhaps, leaving the the scene for awhile will aid in your recovery. Sometimes it’s better to avoid the temptation. Avoid the triggers. However, if you don’t get treatment, you seek retribution on someone because you think he/she “ratted” you out or you go after someone you’ve victimized, or you continue to engage in predatory behavior, your name and actions will be so public so fast you won’t even have a life outside comedy. It will all go away. A comedian’s power comes from the microphone. This is how we deal with things. So, no one is gonna fight anyone. No one is getting thrown down stairs. No one is getting victimized back. Those of us in the community who find this behavior disgusting should no longer be silent. It is kinda our business, too. Same team or off the team. Your next comedian is a comedian.

I’m reaching out to comedians with this. There’s not a lot of predatory creeps, but they do exist and they shouldn’t anymore in our scene. We are all comedians. Same team. If this type of behavior is occurring in your scene, let people know. People care. Other comics care. You aren’t the only one this has happened to. There are, unfortunately, too many to list. If you don’t know who to talk to, feel free to reach out to me. My email is [email protected]. I’m a good listener and I might even know someone in your town who’s a decent human who would be glad to help you out. We need to work together. Same team.
The options are clear. Stop being a predator. Get help. Seek treatment. Make a real life change.