Comedy and Racism

Although the title seems very serious, this is not really the case.

Or is it?

As mentioned in a previous post, I am expanding my horizons by venturing into the whole stand-up comedy experience. So far it has been awesome, and I look forward to many more gigs. Comedy is giving me an opportunity to voice my opinions in a funny, entertaining way. One of the things I feel very strongly about, is racism. I think that I might make more use of the platform given to me to shake some cages and rattle some chains on this topic.

On the other hand, maybe I just enjoy talking shit and making people laugh. Let’s see where this journey takes us.

Here’s a short clip from a set I did on Sunday at The Box Comedy, POP Art Theatre in Johannesburg.

The sound is better than the previous post’s clip, but still shit. If anyone wants to donate a video cam to me, feel free to do so

I would love to hear your opinion on this matter. Is it OK for white comedians to venture into racial comedy, or is that a right reserved for coloured and black comedians?

My First Comedy Set

I had a dream, that one day, I will stand on stage and make people laugh.

Now, I’ve been MC’ing on-and-off for roughly the past 12 years, the last 3 of them professionally. Yet I have never ventured into the sphere of stand-up comedy. Reason for this being that, well, ummm… I actually had no real excuse. My only issue was that I was unsure about my own funniness, and as a (humble brag) really good MC it would have been really shit if I bombed out in comedy.

Arcade Empire (I’ve told you about their food in the past) has recently started the #KAKFunny Comedy Sessions. Every last  thursday of the month, they bring in a few of South Africa’s most awesome comedians, and one or 2 n00bs. On this night, I was the n00b.

For the first time in my life, I was actually nervous about getting on stage to talk to people. This was a weird feeling, considering I’ve had thousands of people in front of me at Oppikoppi and other festivals, I’ve presented events to everyone from old age homes to super-high end business people, and on a weekly basis I deal with a bunch of fun and drunk people who have to make sense of what I’m saying.

All in all, my first set went very well. I will forever be grateful to Nina Hastie (the organiser) for putting me on the bill, as well as the comedians who performed that night for giving me feedback and hi5′s (Jason Goliath, Nick Goliath, Donovan Goliath and Dusty Rich). Also a BIG thanx to Werner Cloete, one of my personal favourite SA comedians who came to support and upon request, crit the shit outta me.
Lastly, thanx to the friends who came to support me, and Henno Kruger for the full video.

Have look at a bit of what I did, drop me a comment to tell me how awesome I am, or if you think I suck. I’m easy.

Gangnam Style originated in South Africa. Who knew?

In this mockumentary, you will not only learn that Gangnam Style originated in South Africa, but you will also have the very, very rare opportunity to see me dance. Sorta.

No alcohol was involved with the making of this film. Except of course on the night when I was talking to my mate Jacques Coetzer at a braai, and the idea to do this entire thing popped up.

In this vid you will see:

• Me – @BaasDeBeer on twitter – in theory www.baasdebeer.co.za
• Flits Venter, better known as the infamous Bouwer Bosch – @BouwerBosch / http://www.bouwerbosch.co.za
• Jacques Coetzer. (Well, you won’t see him, seeing as he worked the camera and made the video) – @Jaczer_SA on twitter and the Jacques Coetzer Photography page on Facebook

What do you think about the vid? Any ideas for future videos that you want me to make happen?