There was a recent incident at Caroline’s on Broadway involving celebrity comic, Amy Schumer, and up-and-comer, Brendan Sagalow.
The story plays out with Schumer dropping into the club during what was Sagalow’s first headlining set. After being denied by the club managers stage time, she interrupted five minutes into his set and requested ten minutes on stage to prepare for her SNL hosting gig. Sagalow graciously gave up his time and after she was done returned to his set.
Of course I’m bothered by this incident as any comic should be; it’s a clear abuse (not to mention, tacky display) of power, especially if this celebrity comic could literally organize with any club in the city to do something like this without having it be so ungraceful.
Now, it’s not clear if this was a publicity stunt or a genuine incident. Brendan Sagalow wasn’t too pleased with the shenanigans that occurred, but still seemed somewhat mystified by the celebrity of Amy Schumer.
However, what bothered me more was that so many comics and producers seemed fine with the potential of this incident happening to them even posting about it on social media and inviting Schumer to do the same.
What the hell is that?
Never let someone’s “status” overshadow your goals
Maybe I’m more likely to stand rigid because I respond poorly to people trying to get one over on me (you can blame that on my ex), but I’m not mystified by celebrity. I mean, I’m a guy who met Alexander Skarsgard (True Blood) in a Starbucks on a drive to Los Angeles and asked him if he was waiting for the bathroom because “I had to take a dump really bad.”
Someone’s celebrity just doesn’t really make a difference to me and bad behavior should never be given a pass. In all sincerity, I probably would’ve told Schumer to go fuck herself because it has a nice ring to it. One of my friends said she would’ve roasted Schumer, but we both agreed we wouldn’t have given up our time.
Other friends kept repeating “but it’s Amy Schumer.” *insert my unimpressed blowjob motion*
I’ve gone through the past four years of comedy not being mystified by every comic that’s on a higher level and it’s made it much easier to work with people because we get past the crap and focus on the work.
Perhaps it’s also the fact that I’m a producer, but if something like that happened to one of our comics on the COTL show, I’d advise them to not give up their time because that time is theirs. Comics, no matter what level, don’t go on stage to fart around. Their time up there is to achieve something and every minute you aren’t up there is less of a chance to make an impact. Giving that time to someone else when it’s supposed to be your time makes people care less about and ultimately forget you. Plain and simple.
You gain nothing from such instances
The way I see it, the comic that something like this could happen to isn’t going to gain anything except a little extra press. He’ll get a few splashes of his name in some publications, but then we’re going to forget about it and move on. That’s how media works: always looking for the next story.
No one is going to respect someone more in the industry just because their name is attached to a story involving someone with “status.” The industry is a soulless entity that rarely ever deals in pity points.
In reality, the industry may see you as a pushover which can be a difficult thing to shake and the glory you expect from such an instance will likely be short lived.
Moral of this story, when it’s your time to shine, take it and milk every opportunity you have. You owe it to yourself when you put the hard work into getting somewhere in this business. Letting someone else take over (celebrity or not) will only make you look like less of a comic.
Got questions or something to add? Comment below and tell us your thoughts!