Taken from our friends at Mission Critical.
A Travel & Leisure survey on America’s Favorite Cities reveals what people really think about the District of Columbia and other major US cities.
People Category & Rank (out of 25)
Athletic/active 17th
Attractive 24th
Diverse 4th
Friendly 23rd
Fun 25th
Intelligent 4th
People (Overall) 16th
Stylish 18th
Worldly 1st
Wow, is this any surprise? I have to think that the majority of people in this country don't think that working for the federal government, being a legislative assistant on the hill, a non-profit social worker or a lobbying suit on K Street are "fun" professions to be in. I know there is more to DC than just that, but do people who have never lived here think any different?
So, what does that mean for comedians in this city? If you are one who is serious about your craft and does everything you can to succeed in it, then you know what that means.
Culture Category & Rank (out of 25)
Architecture/notable buildings 1st
Classical music 6th
Culture (Overall) 2nd
Historical sites/monuments 1st
Museums/galleries 1st
Theater 6th
Underground arts scene 14th
Alright, this is interesting. Obviously DC is known for its monuments and important landmarks. These rankings relect the obvious appreciation for american history in this country. A visitor wants to see the Smithsonian Museums, Capital Building, White House, National Archives, etc. Heck, even our growing theater scene is mostly Shakespeare! There is definitely a yearning for the past in this city.
But, when it comes to comedy there is no going back. There is love and appreciation for comedians who have paved the way for us, but that cannot be experience like a 200 year old building or document can. I will never see Richard Pryor or Mitch Hedberg perform ever again. Therefore, comedy has to always be changing. Always pushing a new idea. A new perspective. That is comedy at the roots. So, in a city that is known for its historical influence, can it also be expected to be the place where new creative thoughts are develop?
Really, isn't that the ol' complaint people have against politicians? "Different person, same shit."
Click the link above to see what else people have to say about DC. HINT: We aren't as ugly as Philadelphians!
Welcome to Your Comedy Layover...
Washington D.C. may not be a city that embraces comedy with open arms, but you knew that already. That is why you found us. Here you can get information, interviews and insights on the best local stand-up, improv and sketch comedy this city has to offer... 4 Now. You can reach us at dccomedy4now(at)gmail.com. LET'S DO THIS, DC!
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
"Hey DC! You are smart, but ugly and unfriendly!"
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2 comments:
Interesting survey given that DC comedy is pretty ugly at the moment. Where's the innovation in the scene? Who is pushing the envelope?
1. Rooms are dying left and right and new ones aren't opening like they used to.
2. The alt scene is non-existent and filled with smug little "Demetri Martin" clones. Don't get me wrong I like Demetri Martin's act. But I like it when Demetri does it.
3. There's only one game in town and they're not plugged into what's going on in the local scene.
4. At one time there was a sense of community among local comics. I don't think that sense of community exists these days.
agreed, to both sides of the coin. dc has become worse than ever as a population. first, the blatant, forced migration of actual "locals" to outside the beltway . . . people, the only people, who actually understand this city. so, as a result, dc has become a bunch of half-constructed, half-full, residential apartment buildings that stand as a monument to all the natives driven out so that anacostia can be turned into another theme park of a neighborhood (see chinatown) for the young and prosperous (no? see anacostia in 5 more years). however, the comedy scene also sucks. comics aside, the club scene looks like the baby in 'eraserhead.' u-g-l-y, and it ain't go no alibi. it's ugly, that's right, it 's ugly. the dc improv sits downtown like a mcdonald's, or starbucks, and mom and pop outlets simply can't compete...except for with true fans of comedy. they recycle flip orley and pablo francisco and anyone else who can put butts in seats, and they make no apologies for it. why should they, it's not like it is actually a comedy club. nothing magical happens there anymore. it's a business. the two drink minimum says it all, as do t-shirt tuesdays. as do the "comedy classes." unfortunately, that is the way of the world. people want what they see on HBO. or, who was wolfmother before guitar hero? I'll tell you, wolfmother was the exact same band, except they were playing black cat for $8 two years ago, playing to a bunch of us city types/ this time? they played 9:30, to the same khaki-clad bunch who pack places like the improv. i don't blame wolfmother for their success. but i do blame places like the improv for bastardizing the comedy scene around it. i remember a number of years back when the imrpov supported shows at surrounding coffee shops and other locations. no longer. when management had its civil war in recent years, the improv turned its back on the comedy community as whole, even threatening the dc comedy fest with "action" if x, y or z happened (details too many to list). pathetic. so, dc, enjoy your new look neighborhoods and you gasping comedy scene. lord knows i've given up on either making a full recovery.
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