I don't think I'm alone among comics when I say that I don't enjoy doing comedy competitions... I think it's needless stress and needless competition among people that need to be working with each other, not against....

Besides, what other occupation do you have contests where the prize is more work? 

"Hey, whoever sells the most pizzas this week... Gets to sell more pizza!"

But here we are... Up and coming comedians looking for a little more time in the spotlight.....

Let me give you a little background on my competition history as a comedian.  I've never won one... Not even ever gotten past the preliminaries...  Yep, I can entertain a comedy audience for an hour or more as a paid professional, but for some reason I don't translate in a 5 minute set. 

So this week, I'm spending Tuesday through Sunday in comedy competitions.  Last night was the annual San Jose Improv competition.  And so far my record is unbroken.  They took the top 3 out of 7 comics performing.  And I'm pretty sure I came in 5th.  Maybe 4th.  So that's one down.

Tonight I begin my run in the San Francisco Int'l Comedy Competition.  5 nights, 6 shows.  And I'll be performing with comics from all over the country.  Since they only admit 30 comics per year, it's nice to be included.  I couldn't get in last year.  This year I was invited.  So, to quote Susan Lucci... It's just nice to be nominated. :)

What will happen?  Well, if my 0 and 1000 record has anything to say about it, I don't plan on coming in first. :)  But then again, I don't really care either. 

- I get to meet some great new comics from around the country
- I get to do shows for big crowds in big venues
- I get to perform in front of some industry folks who will notice me even if I don't win
- Not winning means I won't have to cancel some well paid shows I've got coming up that conflict with the semi and final rounds.

So lemons into lemonade into a watersports video...  Tonight's first round is at the Bear's Lair at the UC Berkeley campus.  I'll let you know what happens tomorrow morning.

Phil Johnson
www.RoadsideAttraction.com