Inside Her Mind: Amy Schumer

     I have introduced you many stand-up comedians so far. However, you might thought that only  men would perform stand-up. In fact, although almost all of the famous stand-up comedians we know are male, there are several promising female performers. This week, let's focus on one of them: Amy Schumer.
     

     Amy Schumer is only 33 years old. She made her debut in 2004, when her work Live at Gotham was published. Her first album, Cutting, was published in 2011. However, she really became famous because of her second album, Mostly Sex Stuff. Besides, she also appeared on many TV programs such as Curb Your Enthusiasm on HBO channel.
     Similar to Louis C.K., Amy Schumer has her own TV series named Inside Amy Schumer. The series are filmed and starred by Amy Schumer as well as Louis.C.K. to Louie. And this teo-season series make her be nominated for five awards.
     We thought ridiculous and funny when male stand-up comedians refer to sexual and discriminatory topics. Nonetheless, few female performers can do that. That's why Amy Schumer is specially outstanding from these female performers. Hope you guys like today's video!

the clip is a part of the TV series Inside Amy Schumer. Amy went to a strange hotel...


Reference: Wikipedia
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He Is Coming: Louis C.K.(II)

     In this article, I'll introduce you some of Louis C.K.'s works and things about his success.
     Louis C.K. has released lots of famous hour-long shows. Let's focus on three of them:
     1. Shameless:


     2. Live at the Beacon Theater:

 
   3. Oh My God


     Louis C.K. is also known for his TV series, Louie. He is both the director and the actor. It is weird that he plays Louis C.K. in the series just like in the real life. The four-season series includes his life with two daughters and fragments of his stand-up comedy at Comedy Cellar and Carolines. If you want to enjoy Louis C.K.’s comedy, Louie is a good choice.

     There is a story about Louis C.K.’s success I want to share with you. Unlike other people who cooperate with large companies and sale their albums at high price. Louis decided to publish his performance on his own. For Live at the Beacon Theater, He paid two hundred thousand dollars on filming and editing the video. Then he sold it on his website for only 5 dollars! Some people teased him because it was not profitable and the privacy was easier to circulate on the Internet. However, Louis proved that they were wrong: the video earned him over one million dollars! He demonstrates that with reasonable price, people are willing to buy your products. This story makes me moved, and it is one of the reasons I like Louis C.K.

Today's video is part of Oh My God:
Check here~

Reference: 1.http://mrjamie.cc/2012/02/19/louis-ck/
                  2.Wikipedia
                  3.IMDB

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He Is Coming: Louis C.K.(I)

     This week, I ‘ll focus on the man I told you first in this semester. It’s this guy that take me into the world of stand-up comedy. His name is Louis C.K.

 

     Louis Szekely, also known as Louis C.K., is an American stand-up comedian. Every show of his own makes me laugh and laugh again. Many websites list him either the top.1 or the top.2, while George Carlin is the best. In his shows, you might feel depressed or ridiculous about some of his story. So, where did he get these stories?

 

     C.K. had told the answer: “Learning is my favorite thing.” His parents divorced when he was a child. Therefore, he was raised by his mother. He had made up his mind to be a comedian someday. However, the road to perform on the television was very tough. For example, he had a job served as a cook in KFC. It’s probably the reason why his story is particularly convincing.

     Louis C.K. have won five Emmy Awards (艾美獎) and one Grammy Award (葛萊美獎). I’ll continue to introduce him and his works next week.

     Today’s video is just a promo. However, you will be absolutely fascinated by his charm!

(Reference: Wikipedia, Youtube)

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Welcome to our secret base: Comedy Cellar

I have introduces you many stand-up comedians for the last few weeks. In this article, let's look at it in another perspective: Where can you watch a brilliant stand-up?

Well, if you are a enthusiastic New Yorker. There is a paradise you must know: the Comedy Cellar. Located at Manhattan, Comedy Cellar is probably the most famous comedy club in New York. You might be surprised of the cast of their show--such as Louis C.K.and Dave Chappelle  as we talked about before. 

(Comedy Cellar is often the background in Louie. There are scenes that Louis C.K. walks in Comedy Cellar.)


(Bill Burr also performs in Comedy Cellar!)

Founded in 1982, the brick wall behind the performers becomes one of the feature of Comedy Cellar. On the other hand, Comedy Cellar is also known for The Olive Tree Cafe above it. Because the cafe is connected to Comedy Cellar, you can order a cup of drink,sitting on the seat you have reserved and watch the show. The price of a show is about 10 to 24 dollars. If I go to New York, one of my dream is to watch a stand-up in Comedy Cellar!

In the next two weeks, I will tell you the story about Louis C.K.,who is my favorite stand-up comedian!

(reference: wikipedia, comedy cellar)
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Bring me a funny morning─Bill Burr

Imagine that you just wake up in a lazy Monday morning. You have an impulse to skip your work and lie on your bed all the day. Suddenly, you remember that it's time for your favorite radio program. After an hour full of laughter, you finally leave your bed and go to the company. Who makes you energetic? The answer is Bill Burr.



You can't find out much about Bill Burr's background and childhood on the Internet. But the only thing you should know is that he is an excellent stand-up comedian.Perhaps his most famous show is You People Are All The Same. And you can spend 5 dollars to get it on Bill Burr's website--equals only 5 cups of drink you buy for a week. What makes him more popular is his radio program: Monday Morning Podcast. What's more, all the podcast are available on the website for free!

go to Bill Burr's website and enjoy it now!→http://www.billburr.com/


In today's video, Bill Burr talks about gender equality. Watch the video and see how he imitates woman speaking!

(reference:Bill Burr's website)
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Immortal Legend: George Carlin

If you ask one thousand Americans who is their favorite stand-up comedian. Most of their answers would probably be George Carlin.



Well, I'm not kidding you. This old guy is not a homeless, he is George Carlin.
George Carlin is an American,and his performance often related to politics, region and nature. You might underestimate him by his appearance. However, he actually had made 14 episodes of stand-up comedy for HBO, and he had participated in many TV programs and films too.



Perhaps George Carlin's most popular and well-known performance is "Seven Words You Can Never Say On Television" in 1970s. It includes too much inappropriate content, so if you are interested in this show,you should search for more details by yourself. There is a short story: after the program was published,George Carlin was arrest for lots of dirty words and jokes in the program. Nonetheless, he was released soon!

George Carlin had made so many funny performances that he got "life time achievement award" from American Comedy Award. However, he had serious health problems. He had stopped working because of a heart attack,and he passed away in 2008. Some websites has made survey for the most popular stand-up comedian, George Carlin is still the top.1.(reference:wikipedia)

today's video is related to our first class:English sayings(33:04~42:08)
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Chappelle's Show: a genius's stage

Most of stand-up comedians might just have chances performing their show in a dingy bar. However, some of them have their own stage. In today's article, I'll introduce you a man whose show is widespread. His name is Dave Chappelle.

→Dave Chappelle

Though Dave Chapelle's dream was to be a comedian, he couldn't fulfill his dream at first. In fact, he had participated in many films as an actor at that time! Fortunately, in 2003, his first sketch comedy,which means "a series of comedy scenes"(reference: Wikipedia), had a great success. This American guy soon became famous with this three-year-long program. However, Dave Chappelle suddenly announced his resignation during season 3.  The reason of his resignation was that he had enough of  the program! Even though, he is still one of the most popular stand-up comedians. Some people even call him a genius. (reference:Wikipedia)

In today's video, Dave Chappelle talks about a famous book: THE SECRET. I guest some of you have read this book.You might be inspired with the idea called "positive thing". I'm sorry to tell you
: it is totally useless.
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Try to enjoy in it !

Before today's introduction, let me tell you a short history of stand-up comedy.
Well, in  the United States, there were teams of comedians. During their show, they talked to each other rather than the audience. Gradually, some comedians became famous of their solo style such as Borscht Belt in the 1930s and 1940s. However, a British named Bob Hope made stand-up comedy truly popular.   (resource:Encyclopedia Britannica)

←Bob Hope

So, how to enjoy in a stand-up comedy? Sometimes , performers use their own experience such as their family or their pets. Secondly, they talk about discrimination. It doesn't mean that we acknowledge. The reason why they like to use it is: the audience like it! Because most of the audience are adults, there are sexual jokes and dirty words at times. Definitely, I won't  choose these videos for you!

Now, let's watch a piece of Louis C.K.'s show. He talks about his experience about taking of his children,and how BORING it is! Hope you enjoy in it~

From 25:53 to 28:33.

Introduction

It was a boring day few years ago. I went home and turned on the television, enjoying in channel surfing. Suddenly, a TV series named "LOUIE" on FX channel attracted my attention. Then, I  knew Louis C.K., and I went into the world of stand-up comedy.
















What is stand-up comedy?
It's a kind of show like "相聲" in Taiwan, but there is only one person on stage. You might watch it at nightclubs, bars, or even in theaters if the performer is famous, and you should pay for the show. Some people think of it as talk show. But they're wrong. Talk show means a host chatting with someone in the fixed time on TV. In other words, they are very different.

You may ask, What's the content of a stand-up comedy show?
Well, the performer, who is called "stand-up comedian", uses jokes, props and funny stories to entertain the audience. Because most of the audience are adults, sometimes the topic is not appropriate for the class. However, it's still a good way to learn English and American life. I'll do my best to choose and introduce you more funny performances in this semester.And welcome to visit my blog!

Let's end up with the trailer of LOUIE season 1!