Prosecutors will be violated

by Brian McKim & Traci Skene on February 15th, 2007

Freelancer and FOS Larry Getlen‘s piece in the most recent issue of Radar Magazine hit the stands the other day (click on the link for the online version). In it, he explores the modern state of joke theft (and inlcudes a bit of the history of the practice).

While most comics take pride in performing their own material, many have built lucrative careers on borrowed bits. (Robin) Williams, for example, has long been lauded for his ability to instantaneously improvise scenes and gags. But while few question his gifts as a live performer, there’s no way to know how much of his sharp-minded inspiration over the years has been provided by an unwitting writing staff. “I’ve been in clubs in L.A. where Robin’ll walk in the room and whoever’s on stage will just get off,” says Boston comedian Kevin Knox.

Juicy!

In a related online development, there’s a link circulating around the WWW that depicts Joe Rogan trashing Carlos Mencia onstage at the Factory. Allegedly (according to website TheSuperficial), it was enough to get Rogan banned from the Hollywood club’s stage.

One thing we like about both stories is that the folks making the accusations are naming names– including their own names! People who are making the charge are owning up to it. How refreshing. We’ve always looked askance at those who grumble but never go so far as to make a public accusation with their name attached. We all have a right to face our accuser… it’s the American way!

But, we agree with Nick DiPaolo who says in the Radar article that the frequency of joke theft in Modern Standup America is way overstated. We’ve all had it happen to us– both Halves of the Staff can cite examples of having material stolen in a bold, brazen manner. (And, we hasten to add, the “parallel thought” defense (also sometimes referred to as parallel development) has some validity.)

Articles like this (and actions like Rogan’s) will keep us all more honest in the future, no?

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