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1. Brian McKim & Traci Skene says:

   April 12, 2005 at 7:27 pm

   From a reader:Dear distinguished standup comedy journalists: I am an occasional standup comic in the NYC area (I know, there is no such thing as an occasional standup comic, since everyone involved with the activity probably spends most of their idle moments thinking of some new bit, so let me re-phrase by saying I occasionally perform on stage) and have enjoyed your miscellaneous reports and rants during the past year. Your recent posts regarding the heckler in NJ spurred me to write, as I laughed at your “cue scary music” close to the latest post, and eagerly await the report assocated with the subject comic’s show and possible visit by the mysterious father. Sincerely, < HREF="http://www.drexcitement.com" REL="nofollow">Dr. Excitement<>We reply:Thanks for the comments, Doc! (BTW: We like to call ourselves “pseudo-journalists,” lest anyone take us and our product too seriously!

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2. Tom says:

   April 14, 2005 at 2:45 pm

   Just to play devil’s advocate here, what if…This heckler guy simply bore a resemblance to Brad Trackman and so during his little tirade at the club just said that he was his father?We have all seen these people say shit that they would be funny. Seems somewhat plausible to me. Just a thought…

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3. Anonymous says:

   April 17, 2005 at 6:12 am

   I know Brad Trackman and he is a very good guy. He goes out of his way to help other comedians, especially newcomers, unlike a lot of pros. It is unfortunate to see him maligned in this manner. There is no proof that the heckler was Brad’s father–did anyone check the man’s ID? Just give Brad the retraction he deserves and go back to running your otherwise fine website.

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4. Grammar Girl says:

   April 17, 2005 at 2:36 pm

   I too know Brad Trackman, a real ‘mensch’ if ever there was one. As noted he goes out of his way to encourage other comics and new talent. He is a class act as a person, in the business about 15 years.That aside, this ‘Daddy Heckler’ stuff simply doesn’t pass the logic test:1. If your dad WAS a heckler, you wouldn’t invite him–duh, fallout like this is the biggest reason.2. If your dad WASN’T a heckler, he’d behave like the other audience members you described as there that night.You proudly announce that you’re not actually journalists, so you wouldn’t bother to check Daddy Heckler’s ID, or ask management about him. If he’s a regular they’d know him right? And if he’s really Brad’s dad–which Brad has emailed you he’s not–they’d likely know that, too.But, c’mon, if you couldn’t be bothered to ASK a few questions, could you at least logically analyze the stuff you plan to post, especially when it could potentially harm someone’s reputation? It only requires using the analytical LEFT half of your brain so shouldn’t be too taxing, pre-caffeine and/or post-late-night-show.Btw, who knows who those callers are? Hmm…maybe…disgruntled folks who wish they were doing half as well as Brad? asked the cynic/realist. Even if it was Brad–not an established fact let’s remember–some outrage at this bizarre, National Enquirer-esque “Heckler Claims to Be Comic’s Dad!” story seems like a normal, human reaction.Brad Trackman deserves better–as would any comic who a deluded audience member claimed to be related to.And if you purport to be a site for professionals, behaving professionally is incumbent on you isn’t it–your responsibility.And no, Brad didn’t ask me to post. I just don’t like to see flights of fancy posted as truth.As Anonymous notes, a retraction seems in order here.Do the right thing.

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