Alice In Wonderland | This Is Important Podcast

Imagine a world where children's cartoons were filled with drugs. I'm talking about Alice in Wonderland sticking her head out the chimney and her leg out the window kind of crazy. That image alone would blow any kid's mind. But hey, we eat that kind of thing up every day, don't we? Alice in Wonderland was a trip, bro.

Do you remember how many drugs used to be in children's cartoons? It was like they couldn't resist slipping some mind-altering substances into our favorite shows. I mean, they had to make the Ninja Turtles come out and tell you not to do drugs! Can you believe that? It was like they had to remind us that this stuff wasn't cool. Just say no, dude. Hold the anchovies while you're at it.

Section 2: The Art of Wrapping up a Set

Speaking of holding the anchovies, let's talk about comedians and their struggle to wrap up their sets. It's like they don't know how to finesse that ending. They'll be up on stage, trying to land that last laugh, but then they look up and go, "Oh, and that's my time. Thank you, guys." Come on, they can't just end on a laugh and say goodnight.

I remember going to stand-up shows with my buddy Adam, and we'd often discuss the protocol of the light. For those who don't know, the light is a signal for the comedian to get off stage. It's like this unspoken rule, but comedians try to make it casual, giving just a little nod or head gesture when they see the light. But some bros, man, they just run that light like it's a marathon.

The light keeps flashing, and the poor light guy is practically begging them to get the hell off stage. It's like they're in their own little world, oblivious to the fact that they're messing up the flow of the show. There used to be comics who would come to the Improv and run their sets by 15 or 20 minutes. Talk about overstaying your welcome!

Section 3: Tales of Running the Light

Adam, my buddy, actually ran the scheduling at The Improv for a month. He was the one responsible for flashing the light and telling comics when their time was up. Can you believe that? But even he couldn't escape the occasional mishap. There was this one time when he fell asleep during a show. Yes, you heard that right. The guy whose job it was to give the light and keep the show running smoothly, fell asleep.

It was one of those amateur nights, where the comics weren't exactly killing it. Maybe that's why Adam dozed off, but it was his job to make sure they got their time on stage. So, poor guy, he's sitting there, probably a little hungover, watching this lackluster performance, and before he knows it, he's drifting off. Meanwhile, the comic on stage keeps going because he never got the light.

Eventually, someone had to shake Adam awake and remind him of his duties. Let's just say he learned his lesson that night. But hey, they didn't fire him. Instead, they sent him back to the front door, back to answering phones, banishing him from the sacred space of running the light.

Section 4: The One More Minute Syndrome

You know what's hilarious? When a comedian tries to squeeze in just one more minute after their time is up. They'll be like, "Alright, I guess I can't guys. Thank you! Good night!" But deep down, you know they wanted to keep going. It's like they're addicted to that stage time, craving that last laugh before they step off.

It's a tricky situation for both the comedians and the other performers at the club. The ones who got bumped because someone couldn't wrap up their set in time. The ones who had gigs across town to make it to but were held back by a comic's inability to finish on time. It's a delicate dance, and not everyone has the finesse to end on a high note.

Closing Thoughts

So, let's take a moment to reflect on the drugs in cartoons and the struggle comedians face when wrapping up their sets. It's all part of the wild world we live in, filled with unexpected twists and turns. Just like Alice sticking her head out the chimney and her leg out the window, we're constantly pushing boundaries and redefining what's acceptable.

The next time you watch a children's cartoon or attend a stand-up show, remember the craziness that lies beneath the surface. Embrace the absurdity and enjoy the ride. And if you're ever in charge of flashing the light, please try to stay awake.