I have to admit, being a comedian is pretty bad ass. There are a lot of nice perks of the job. Besides the most obvious perk of unlimited drinks, you also get to travel the world, make the occasional TV appearance, and we get paid to make people laugh (usually). Pretty bad ass if you ask me.
However, no job is perfect. I have to remind myself of this every time an audience member starts telling me a "Priest walks into a bar" joke, or when I'm staying at a "comedy condo" and I find a condom on the mattress, or when a barber in Edmonton starts taking pictures of me because "You've been on TV, eh?". That being said, it beats having to wake up at 7am and sit at a desk all day. I love my job, and most of all I love all the ridiculous people you meet along the way...
Besides the annoying drunk conversation after a show- I get a lot of emails from the audience the next day. This could be remedied by removing my email address from my website but in general it's a good way to stay in touch with fans and it certainly helps the ego. From time to time I'll get an email like the one below. This came to me from a male fan, who sat by himself, after a Thursday night show in Atlanta. If you wonder about his sexual orientation I think it will clear up around the second paragraph.
I live just a few blocks from The Punchline and see quite a few of the Thursday night shows. I almost didn't come last night because none of my friends were available to come with me, but I'm really glad I did. You do a great show! Anyone that can create non-stop laughter for over an hour has to be good!
I do have a question, though. Tell me about those adorable black leather and velvet sneakers you were wearing. I could see the outline of each of your toes so they must be really soft and comfortable. And, even though you must have large feet (someone as tall as you wouldn't be able to stand up otherwise), those shoes made your feet look slim and trim. I think I want a pair for myself. If they look half as good on me as they do on you, I'll really enjoy them. (And, knowing I'm wearing shoes just like Mike Kosta's would be kind of kool as well.)
Thanks again for a wonderful evening at The Punchline!
He could see the outline of each of my toes? How closely were you looking at me, dude? I've stared at a lot of chicks but I don't think I could ever tell you the outline of their toes, their ass maybe but never their toes. I'm sure this man is a nice man, gay and stuck in Atlanta, a town that pretends to like gays but really doesn't. Sadly, I responded and told him what kind of shoes they were- probably more because I can't afford to lose a fan (let's hope he's not reading this). I also corrected him because I would never buy black leather and velvet shoes.
Welcome to the life of a comedian. In general most days are great, occasionally a little boring and from time to time a little creepy.
Mike Kosta
Slim and Trim
