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The National Comedy Center

It’s a humbling truth I am learning in real time.

Stick around long enough and you’ll probably get to work in some prestigious and iconic venues around the world.

I’ve played Carnegie Hall in New York City and The Sydney Opera House (the one that kinda looks like a giant seashell) in Australia.

I’ve played dozens of basketball and hockey arenas around the USA.

I’ve worked comedy clubs that are household names and I’ve appeared on sound stages and studio sets - and I have been part of outdoor concerts for rock’n’roll acts in front of thousands.

I’ve written about this before and I’m not above repeating myself for effect: there is such a thing as winning by attrition.

Here is my latest true-to-life example.

This summer, I played The National Comedy Center in Jamestown, New York. Part of my “work load” includes the occasional corporate show for clients during conventions and meetings. This time I was actually hired by The Management Association for Private Photogrammetric Surveyors (you may remember them as MAPPS), a lively group who were a fun, responsive and supportive audience for my comedy stylings during their conference.

These people are PRECISE - as they have to be, since they define the obscure term “geospatial.”

I think one of the reasons they were such a joy to work for is their mutual base-of-reference with the business of comedy. Jokes are dependent on the same concepts that cartographers and map makers and surveyors use: having the exact/perfect information, followed by a definitive execution of that data. Which was inherently understood.

I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity - not only performing for such good people, but finding this gem that honors the business of comedy - my calling card for some decades now - tucked away in western New York.

The National Comedy Center is housed in a beautiful building, easy to find in Jamestown. Let’s start there. Why Jamestown?

Because this is the hometown of Lucille Ball, the television star and comic genius who had a hit television show with her husband, ran a definitive studio called “Desilu” with her husband Desi Arnez, and influenced countless women who would become stars in the business of comedy a century later.

Lucille Ball came before Tina Fey and Leanne Morgan and even Mary Tyler Moore. The city built a museum to honor her, and it has now expanded to include every famous comedy persona and comedy act you have watched on television, in movies and online.

One benefactor for the center is Caroline Hirsch, whose fingerprint is still visible to people in the comedy business via her New York City venue – Caroline’s. She has given many comedy acts the opportunity to work and improve and get noticed. Her cable-tv show was a starting point for many of us in the business years ago - and she is a big part of the National Comedy Center with a display including furniture, artwork, and video from her stellar club.

The experience at The National Comedy Center is not unlike a visit to any museum honoring an institution or culture. The walk-through is comfortable and relaxed. There is so much content - eye-catching photos, glass cases filled with memorabilia, and more video than anyone could possibly access during an afternoon visit.

This makes for interactive participation in the nuts and bolts of comedy; from writing jokes to getting on stage eliciting laughs - from an audience, to selling concepts and TV shows and screenplays to major studios.

You basically channel your own personal inner comedian.

You pass your ‘open mic’ phase and you’re in the club, waiting for the emcee to call your name:

“Ladies and gentlemen! Our next act has been seen on…”

I’ll put it this way - whether you’re a comedy fan, a wannabe standup or just curious - you will leave The National Comedy Center funnier than when you walked in.

And that smile on your face? Proof that laughter is the best medicine. Sorry, penicillin - you had a good run. Now, please welcome our next act….

The staff’s enthusiasm for comedy and fun is infectious. The gift shop (if you go, the gift shop is MUST-STOP) has enough quirky swag to make your funny bone (and friends/family) jealous. Looking for improvisational comedy? Maybe you wanna star in your own comedy sketch? Or are you interested in rare artifacts dating back to vaudeville?

The personalities and celebrities and even the newbies are all here, with fresh additions ranging from Gabriel Iglesias to your latest favorite Netflix Comedy Star. You get to join this hilarious homage to laughter, which really needs to be prioritized on your bucket list of places to go, things to do, and sites to see.

THANK YOU TO JEFF AND EVERYONE AT THE NATIONAL COMEDY CENTER! I can’t wait to come back!

Thank you for reading,

Taylor

P.S. I make personalized videos for any celebration - you can order one here.

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