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[Munchkin]

If more people posting show info would remember to use the calendar there'd be more in it.

[zinja]

Originally Posted by Mythor

But what's "the trusty EG"?

Entertainment Guide, in The Age on Fridays. There'd be an equivalent in the SMH, etc.

Its a listing of most things entertainy in Melbourne - comedy, bands, stage shows, dramas, music, etc etc. Big things (ie at the big theatres) and small things (ie garage bands at pubs etc)... but yeah, somewhat lacking in the comedy listing.

[sharleen]

perhaps if we could have state representatives here from Mosh doing a post to me once a week with new gigs, I could just do a big cut and paste. rather than just me trying to find out the info. I tried it once before but it fell apart before it even began.

[Laney]

I suppose organising these sorts of listings just aren't worth the effort considering the amount of people who would actually go to these venues.

I think that when most people want a night out, they'll go and see a movie, or go to the pub - I don't think enough people would make the effort to go to these clubs for the comedy, and they'd be even less likely to turn on their computers to look up a gig guide for comedy event. - It seems a lot easier going down to the club instead.

[credence]

Laney, it's that kind of attitude that is the downfall of live comedy.

I'm probably somehwat guilty of that attitude myself, but I think it's got to do with my disenchantment with stand up comedians and comedy in general in this country. You know it's been a while since I've actually laughed out loud at Australian comedy.

But back to topic, perhaps as this attitude exists widely out there in the entertainment seeking public, something needs to be done to make it more accessible. I know I would probably be more inclined to go if I knew exactly what was on offer.

[Mythor]

Yeah, if I knew well in advance that someone really good was going to be performing really close to where I live, I'd be more inclined to try and organise to go see it. And I guess for the more casual outings people could just look up the website and see that one local pub has some comedy on and go there instead of some other pub that may just have pokies and so on.

I'm generally of the "movies" persuasion, partly because I like movies, but also because I can go poke the Hoyts website and see exactly what time movies are on that I want to see and can plan accordingly.
Also prefer movies because they go for X amount of time that I can find out beforehand... Am I a planning freak?

[sharleen]

nah Myth, I'm like that too. A complete planning freak.
I prefer to know what I'm doing for the evening, what times the shows are on, who's gonna be there, etc and can't stand when others screw up those plans. It also adds to the excitement for the day - that way you know you are doing something good.

I figure the above is a rather defeatist attitude to have about the scene. I'm not saying I haven't felt that way, but its certainly an easier attitude to have when you don't plan on doing something about the situation to improve it.

I would argue that comedy is on the rise (well, in Sydney - can't say for the other cities). To simply shrug and say that comedy doesn't figure into peoples plans for entertainment would be wrong. I'm finding that since the explosion of comedy nights in pubs and comedy venues, more people are seeing it as an option. But it was the agencies that made it that way - they took a risk in creating so many places and it could have backfired, but instead its created demand. Comedy is now a thing that you can find in your own local area - not just a special night visiting the city. And as silly as it might sound, I think that the sketch shows and other tv vehicles like Rove have contributed as well.

For the first time ever, I'm finding that there is a new recognition amongst the Sydney public of comedy - people I'm talking to at jobs and in other 'normal' social situations know of venues, have interest in attending comedy and actual know names of comics. The last time I'd heard 'normal' people (ie. not fans - I don't mean any disrespect) rattling off comedians names was the days of The Big Gig and that scene was based in Melbourne.

So I'm guessing that with the explosion of comedy, there should also be explosion of comedy coverage. Thats not happening yet. I'm not saying to go as far as a dedicated magazine to the issue (it has never worked in the UK, I very much doubt it would survive here), but magazines and other press should be covering it more.

This could lead a wonderful discussion about the dismal coverage of the comedy festival this year in The Age... or indeed the Comedy Festival itself... but that would be getting off-track.

[Laney]

Originally Posted by credence

Laney, it's that kind of attitude that is the downfall of live comedy.

I was trying to point out what i thought other people's views were. I personally would make the effort. I'm here, a MOSHer, i would make the effort. It was other people, i was referring to, those who know very little or nothing about the comedy scene.