August 2026 Newsletter

how to read this email: Stop whenever you want and delete it right away. I would hate to become clutter

Essential Info - effort level: bare minimum

Shows This Month: (click event for tickets)

Less Essential Info - effort level: elementary reading

Career Updates:

  • “Passed” by Laughing Buddha Comedy:

    This means I don’t need to bring guests/audition to get stage time with them. This is the first guaranteed source of spots I have ever secured! That being said, I only got one spot from them last month so this is probably not something I can rely on consistently.

  • Residency at Broadway Comedy Club & Greenwich Village Comedy Club

    I auditioned and received 8 spots. From what I understand, the number of spots you get indicates how much the booker liked you and 8 is good. 4 spots (which is what I got a couple months ago) is not good. I was also given a hosting spot, which means I basically emceed the show and introduce each comic. This is a sign that the booker trusts me with managing the energy of a show, which is great. However, in practice this involves trying to get Gen-Zers to stay off their phones and drunk middle-aged tourists to stop groping their neighbors/themselves. This was exhausting and incredibly stressful. Luckily, I was paid 25 dollars.

  • West Side Comedy Club Audition

  • Rodney’s Comedy Club Audition

    I was in two audition shows at West Side Comedy Club and Rodney’s Comedy Club. I did well enough in both to win …

    …

    …

    …

    the chance to audition in front of the club booker and owner in 3-6 months! I genuinely believe these are accomplishments but it is funny saying them out loud to other people because I sound like an idiot who is getting scammed. I am tremendously grateful for my lack of self respect because otherwise, this business would be miserable.

Asahi Made Stuff:

Inconsequential Info - effort level: you are pooping and are trying to stay off short-form video platforms

How I’ll remember July 2026:

The month I gave in to becoming a “content creator” and stopped trying to be a “human being”. That being said, I’m less focused on going viral and more interested in finding a small audience of people who really like what I make. As a result, the things I create moving forward are going to be truer to who I am deep inside. This is not going to be enjoyable for many of you. That’s okay. I don’t want to sellout MSG. I want three guys in a psych ward to intone my name through the night.

How the world will remember July 2026:

Continued War in Iran/LeBron to Sixers

Leftist Thoughts on The Labor Economy of Comedy in NYC

It’s been interesting to join the comedy labor force in New York City and see how truly fucked it is. You basically have:

  • an unlimited supply of desperate labor

  • an extremely limited supply of clubs & spots

As a result, comics basically have no power whatsoever. The norm is to almost never get paid for the first couple years. Most entry-level/audition shows require comics to bring between 3-7 guests (who must purchase tickets and 2 drinks each). And at the end of all of that, you are not guaranteed anything. Some places even make you pay for a recording of your set. Sexually inappropriate behavior by club bookers and owners is something apparently most female comedians face. You basically have a situation ripe for abuse by the few gatekeepers who have access to career opportunities.

Aside from straight up abuse, some of these are things that I accept as part of the deal. I am aspiring to have an amazing life: getting paid money and attention for doing something super fun. I recognize that it should be hard and competitive to achieve that. That being said, what it takes to grind through this is completely insane for some people. I have the benefit of savings and mental health and the minimum amount of self respect to extricate myself from bad situations. Some of my peers trying to come up are in financially precarious positions and not in a place to say no to things/push back against abuse.

I hear a fiscally conservative voice in my head respond, “Well then they shouldn’t be trying to do comedy if they don’t have what it takes!” On a practical level, I agree. I would never encourage someone without means to jump into comedy without a strong warning of the downsides. However, it’s sad to compare the ideal version of America/New York City, where dreamers go to pursue lofty goals, to this reality, where the safety net is so bare, that unless you have starter capital, dreaming is either inaccessible or so improbable that your almost inevitable demise will be treated as something you should have seen coming. I think most people should fail if they try to become comedians but it shouldn’t fuck your life up to try.

If you’ve read this far, thanks and don’t forget to flush!

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I’ve been doing this for 2 years, I’m not on tour

Come see me perform. Click on an event for ticket link.