Now everyone's a comedian

from the April 27, 2007 edition

From stockbrokers to firefighters, more people are pursuing stand-up comedy as a hobby – or even a second career.

By Harry Bruinius | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor

JOHN KEHE – STAFF

NEW YORK - When Billy Bingo, New York's "bravest comic," took the stage at Comic Strip Live in Manhattan, his first joke went straight to his alliterative mic moniker: "Of course it's a stage name, right? What mother would name her kid Billy Bingo? My real name is Gary Bingo." Most of the 35 or so in the audience laughed and grinned – a good start.

Actually, his mother named him William Denis, and "Bingo" is simply an old softball name his former firefighter friends gave him. "And I'm known as 'the bravest' not because I'm a fireman, but because of my lousy jokes!" he later quips. (The "bravest," see, is what we call firefighters here in New York. Cops are NYC's "finest," and sanitation workers, not to be left out, are the "strongest.")

Like many of New York's bravest, Bingo has a walrus moustache, hangdog eyes, and a mischievous grin. "In the firehouse, I was a kitchen guy," he says. "If we were going to pull a stunt, I'd have to be a part of it."

Now he often wears red suspenders on stage – a comic cliché long dubbed "hacky" in the world of stand-up – but Bingo makes it part of a self-deprecating shtick that emphasizes his blue-collar profession and, when all goes well, endears his "lousy jokes" to his audience. (And they're not that lousy, actually. He headlines at the biggest clubs in Manhattan and has just shot a pilot for a TV show.) continue...

Wednesday One-Liners Join the UFC

Hobo to entire platform: You've seen cripple fights. You've seen hobo boxing. Now prepare yourselves for rich white assholes pushing to get on the train. [Train pulls in.] Briefcases may be used as shields. Good luck, folks. --4/5 platform, Union Square Overheard by: Orson

Father holding daughter's hand: You can't just kick people when you don't get what you want, Victoria. --Mott & Canal St Overheard by: Marie

Teacher: See that guy in the mural? See how many muscles he has? If he wanted to, he could kick your ass. Look at Galileo. Even Galileo could kick your ass! --Brooklyn Tech High School Overheard by: Liz

Six-year-old: If you go to my school, you get yo' ass jumped. --107th & Manhattan Overheard by: Emily B.

more.....

Highlights for Wednesday One-Liners

Toddler in stroller: Step one, cut a hole in the box... Step two, put your junk in the box! Step three, make her open the box! --Dressing room, Bloomingdale's

Nine-year-old boy on cell: It's not that I don't understand your vision, I just don't agree with it. --Bus stop, 79th & 5th Overheard by: Melly Mel

Eight-year-old boy whining: Dad, I'm thirsty! I wanna go to the liquor store! --Central Park Overheard by: admiring their childrearing practices

Four-year-old boy to nanny: I talk to strangers! I talk to strangers! Why are you squeezing my hand so hard?! --60th & Lex

Little boy, after bumping into a girl: Sorry, my ass is broken. --City Hall Subway Station Overheard by: Miss Adventure

Three-year-old girl waiting in check-out line: Mommy, I hate this store! Are we in the suburbs? --Trader Joe's, Union Square

Little British girl: Mummy, when I die can I be here? --Evolution, Spring St. Overheard by: stephanie

more....

Offensive or Funny?

Liv Tyler: Tell Me about It

Doctor #1: about Norah Jones: Did you know her father is Ravi Shankar?
Doctor #2: Her mother must be extremely good-looking.

--Doctors' lounge, St. Vincent's Hospital


Overheard by: Danny D

Overheard in New York

The Not-So-Quick and the Dead

Overheard in New York Guy #1: Yeah, so I was like, dead for two minutes. Guy #2: Fuck yeah, dude! You fuckin' died! [High five] What was it like? Guy #1: I dunno, dude, I was dead! --Brooklyn Industries, Williamsburg more

This Has Been Another Presentation of Alternate Histories

Man #1: Think about it, though -- all great men have a great woman supporting them, giving them confidence, encouraging them. No matter what happens, they know she will be there when they get home at night.
Man #2: Yeah. Imagine if Coretta Scott King had been a nag and laid it on him when he got home at night -- Dr. King, with all that shit he was dealing with, would've been like, 'Hell no, I'm movin' to Cali!'
Man #1: For reals!

--R train  ..more

Her Dreadlocks Were a Total Loss, Though

Overheard in New York
Chick #1:    Yeah, she threw up in her bed.
Chick #2:    And then she walked around throwing up all over the room.
Guy:           Well, maybe it's a blessing in disguise because it finally got her to wash her sheets.

--Houston & Broadway .. more

Why Camus Wrote The Plague

Overheard in New York
Chick #1: You can't, like, wear all black.
Chick #2: Well, not unless you're a beatnik.
Chick #1: What's that?
Chick #2: You know, the guys who wear berets and play the bongos?
Chick #1: Like the French?
Chick #2: [Nods.]
Chick #1: Who knew they had bongos in France?!

--Manhattan-bound 7 train

Overheard by: Smarter than these two - more

Overheard in New York | The Voice of the City

It's Like Learning the Truth about Santa All Over Again

Woman in wheelchair: These models are fantastic!
Man pushing her: These aren't models.
Woman in wheelchair: Oh, no!

--Bodies Exhibit, South St Seaport

Overheard by: Jablayblay         more