Cure for the Mondays - Comedy Night at the Pub

Last night was the inaugural Cure for the Mondays, open mic night at the pub. Since this was scheduled on a "school" night, the 8:30 start time was perfect for me. When Bartender Blair told me about this event, he was unclear if it was an amateur night, or an open microphone. Either would work since I could enjoy a few laughs or I could sit in silent judgement, and either way I would be entertained.

The show was a little late getting started, but the pub was really crowded for a Monday evening - some of which was spill over from the Tir na Nog run club. When the show got started, I pulled out my iPhone and made a few notes during the show:

The Emcee -  Lots of energy, very loud, bad jokes, and uncomfortable silences - nothing ruins a good comedy night like bad comedy. Apparently penis cancer, homophobia, and Jesus are no longer funny. But $2 PBR pints - are a great deal. And perhaps I judge too harshly.

• Shane Smith: Much more funny - pretty mouths in the south, baldness, 80's hair bands, "sincerity" quotes, and relationship jokes are funny.  
• Eric Meggert: Male biological clocks, online dating, hand jobs, religious pamphlets - all funny topics, but apparently not tonight - the first joke bombed and he never made it back.
• Brandon Wright - Sparing the rod, sermons with song lyrics, spanking children are moderately funny. Very well delivered, but the bits need some more development.
• Name removed by request (see comments below) - Indian culture, marriage, wife's accent - sorta funny, several good bits, some a little uncomfortable to watch, but there were some gems in the set. 
• Chuck Royalston - first dates, dumb girlfriends, STDs (sexually transmitted dependents), gay sex - great topics that fell flat due to terrible delivery. I think to be a good comic, you have to be able to tell a good story - set up and punch line. This guy needs a bit of help and a better filter. Stop after the first boo and hiss - don't keep beating the dead llama - misogyny jokes just don't work so well when women are in the audience.
• Justin Tyler - computer prop humor with hula hooping mime - exceedingly original and funny. 
• Mickey Schroeder - recycled one liners and jokes, gym humor, dating, catholic school, and mascots - A few bright spots, but needs work. There were a few hisses.
• Mellow Mike - African American humor about growing up in Cary, moving to Hollywood and getting robbed by a homeless man armed with only a jar of frothy piss. The winner by far! Well delivered, very comfortable on stage, great set.

Kumail Akbari
And I know, those who cannot do criticize - and it is not as if anyone paid an entrance fee. So, over all it was a fun evening with the "Pub Bitches" (Mark, Lorrie, Jason, Niki, and Steve).  I hope this stays on the pub schedule for a while and evolves into an interactive comedy training workshop.