Open letter to comedy community from NLCH
We received the following document from Marty Fischer, COO of the recently launched National Lampoon Comedy House chain (scroll down this page to see the earlier posting on the new comedy clubs from June 26):
AN OPEN LETTER TO OUR FRIENDS IN THE COMEDY COMMUNITY
As we are presently launching the newest national chain of comedy clubs affiliated with National Lampoon and Dave & Busters, It has come to our attention that some clubs are attempting to bully and intimidate comics with the threat of not booking them if they work at for us or NLCH. This is an unfortunate, unfair, unprofessional and illegal practice. The ONLY loser in this situation is you, the comic, who only wants to work and pay your bills.
Our organization is spearheaded by Marty Fischer and is comprised of industry professionals (managers, agents, bookers, previous club owners and representatives of several comedy festivals) with a combined experience of over 100 years.
More info on our web site www.nationallampooncomedyhouse.com on our present and planned locations.
OUR GOAL:
As always our goal is to provide audiences with the very best talent of all levels. To provide comics with a professional and friendly work environment. To provide a place to nurture developing talent.BOOKING POLICY:
WE DO NOT RESTRICT COMICS FROM WORKING AT ANY VENUE. THERE IS NO TIME RESTRICTION BETWEEN PLAYING ANYWHERE ELSE AND NLCH. THERE ARE NO HARD FEELINGS OR REPERCUSSIONS IF A COMIC FEELS HE/SHE HAS A CONFLICT AND TURNS DOWN AN OFFER TO WORK AT NLCH. HOWEVER, IF YOU ACCEPT A DATE AND THEN DROP OUT DUE TO CONFLICT, YOU WILL BURN THE BRIDGE!PLEASE NOTE:
LOYALTY COUNTS. COMICS WHO SUPPORT OUR EFFORTS WILL ALWAYS BE CONSIDERED FIRST IN ANY OF OUR LOCATIONS.We hope this is a wake up call to club owners to realize there are enough customers and an abundance of comics to go around, and without you, the comics, WE HAVE NO BUSINESS! So let’s concentrate on building our businesses and give the comics the support and respect they deserve.
If anyone would like to discuss this with me personally, I can be reached at Marty@NationalLampoonComedyHouse.com or directly at 646-773-5050.
Wishing All Great Success,
Marty Fischer
COO, National Lampoon Comedy House
6 Responses
Reply to: Open letter to comedy community from NLCH
Congrats, Marty! This is great news, your new chain of comedy clubs! The National Lampoon name carries a lot of weight with all of us, as does your name!, and I wish you all the best. You are taking the high road in this booking controversy, which is what I would expect from you and the geniuses at NatLamp, including everyone up to the great Matty Simmons himself. This is an entirely new venture for NatLamp, which has always been a print/online/movie company, now America will have the pleasure of visiting nightclubs that carry the name and the fame and the goodwill of one of the best comedy collectives of all time! I wish Doug Kenney–who was very funny on stage, if a bit shy–he once huddled inside a cardbord box onstage during a personal appearance at a college (I was there and he was hilarious, witty and wonderful) were alive to jump up onstage at one of the new National Lampoon Comedy Clubs and enlighten us one more time–I’m sure Doug would approve of this new venture, because it connects the spirit of NatLamp directly with the people, face to face, eye to eye, in a high-class welcoming environment, created by you, a true professional. You have taken comedy a great leap forward, thank you Marty!John Dougherty, NatLamp and Marty Fischer Superfan
Intimidation is the mark of small minds! Good Luck. Rick Morgan
Sorry, Shecky, but this isn’t news. Comedy club across the street rivalries and banning wars are older than dirt. I wouldn’t think people with as much road experience as the “Halves” would think this letter was news worthy, any more than printing Yoder and the Comedy Zone’s “Paducah Wars” would have been newsworthy 3 years ago. Please keep up your high level of journalism and diary like this week’s excellent Dan French LCS diary and Vegas report. Giving club owners a forum to spout their side of turf war stories isn’t why I click on Shecky everyday.
Sorry, John, but this is indeed news. When someone proposes to open up eight or nine clubs in 2008 then alleges that someone else has threatened to interfere with the free trade between comedians and comedy clubs, it’s of interest to our readers.When one of the parties involved sends out a letter to everyone concerned– tackling the situation in a very public manner– we’re going to run it.Just because this kind of thing is “older than dirt,” doesn’t make it right, doesn’t make it less newsworthy.Comparing this specific conflict to Yoder vs. The Zone is an inapt analogy.We’ll continue to monitor this situation and provide our readers with information as it becomes available. That’s why many of our readers click on SHECKYmagazine every day.If anyone reading this has anything more to contribute to our understanding of the situation, feel free to leave a comment.
Sadly, Marty Fisher passed away on Sunday, September 22. Marty was involved in the project of launching The National Lampoon Comedy House chain in order to realize his dream of spreading more laughter around American cities. The last three months gave him the impetus to undertake this. So at least in his halcyon days Marty was active and living his dream. Now Marty has other travels to undertake. He will be missed.
Thank you Rick and to all of Marty’s REAL and Long time friends and associates.Yesterday would have been Marty’s birthday..The holidays are not the same as when marty had his annual “holiday/birthday” party at la mela and other venues..We were best friends and I dont think I will ever believe he is not with us in some fashion. With a soul like that he HAS to be around us, while telling Burns, Allen and Alan King amongst others, some really silly one liners…!Happy birthday marty and just know that you always did the right thing by people who cared about you..thank you for everything and for being my friend and confidant!loveelisa