talkmagic.co.uk

TonyB wrote:To the public Jerry is a comedian. It is only a few nerds that consider him a magician. It is the comedy that fills the theatres for his shows, not the magic. I know he is handy at it, but that's not what his audience comes for. He has been on the scene two decades or more, so it's not as if people don't know what they are getting when they go to one of his shows.

Well I didn't and I suspect a lot of the people who walked out didn't (probably about 20, though I sure a lot more Jerry newbies stayed for the whole thing since it cost a far whack). At something like the Edinburgh festival, tourists take a lot of punts as they are often there to see as many shows as possible before they leave and with a familiar name on the bill (one who used to be good fun on TV), the show would draw greater punts. I am convinced that as much as half of that audience didn't know what they were in for, based on their reaction.

His poster has magician clearly written and his photo has spade pips for eyes. It is quite suggestive... enough to have convinced me. As I mentioned before, I spotted a number of magic enthusiasts in the room who obviously were hoping for the same.

In short, he was rubbish and I feel robbed of money, time and a tiny part of my soul that died during the experience.

Jerry's television appearances have been universally vicious. His own show was an attack on just about everyone. I cannot really believe anyone familiar with his name could expect to walk into a family show. Didn't psychopath on the poster tell you anything? Didn't the fact it was over eighteens give you a clue?

Jerry is a legend in the alternative comedy world. He is what he is, and the fact that he still fills theatres shows that what he is works for lots of people. He is also a very nice guy.

DaveM wrote:He really didn't get away with it and the atmosphere was awkward in the audience. Quite frankly, shouting blunt racist abuse isn't comedy.

It is.... kind of. I enjoy this type of comedy in moderation. In terms of awkward comedy, Jerry Sadowitz and Scott Capurro are the most memorable. Capurro more so. I saw him at Hen & Chickens in Islington in a room with an audience of about 40. And I'd say 40 very open-minded and hard to shock people too. But in 1 hour, there was one moment of loud laughter. The rest was just squirming and nervous giggles. Two guys in the audience tried to play ball and be all open about their relationship but Capurro was relentless until the two guys stopped with "Some things need to remain private" to which Capurro replied "But late for that. We already you x,y and z."

I wouldn't go to these shows a lot but I do enjoy them. But the audience need to know the motive behind offensive material. Are they doing it for a reaction? Are they being ironic? Is it their character? Or are they just a bigot? I know some people who find the mere use of racial slurs (n-word, p-word etc.) unacceptable but I've seen some comedians use it brilliantly to prove a point or reveal audience members double standards. But it's a very thin line.

But I appreciate you didn't enjoy him. He's not for everyone. In fact I'd say he's for a select few.

TonyB wrote:Jerry's television appearances have been universally vicious. His own show was an attack on just about everyone. I cannot really believe anyone familiar with his name could expect to walk into a family show. Didn't psychopath on the poster tell you anything?

I think some people might go there by accident. A lot of the titles for shows in no way reflect the show. And seeing "Comedian, Magician" might make people think "hurrah, comedy magician" and the psychopath is just something to sex it up a bit. Obviously they would have chosen poorly but it can happen. I just feel sorry for people in that position. Could you imagine going here by accident with your parents? Eeeeep!

That's why with comedy I always suggest people do a bit of googling first.

Note to self, when someone calls their show : Comedian, Magician, Psychopath and they are not lying, then Psychopath is what you'll actually get.

Years ago I saw him do a television series. It was a half hour programme full of filthy and horrendous comedy. And yet in that half hour there was an oasis of beautiful card magic with not a single swear word or offensive remark. Just five minutes of it. I think he called it the Roy Walton moment.

It was weird and almost surreal to see that oasis of beauty in a sea of filth.