Bill Cosby: Up and Down, then Down Again

Wow how the mighty has fallen.

Actor/scholar/comedian Bill Cosby has been getting a lot of attention for someone in their 80s whose heyday was supposed to have passed by. Many of you know of the rape allegations and the dark cloud that is over Cos currently.

Isn't it coincidental that these allegations and such come right when Cosby is making a resurrection of his once-dormat career? Seriously though? Many of these supposed sexual assaults occurred more than 20 years ago.

This indeed seems to be quite a convenient time for anyone to come after Cos. A successful comedy tour, back out on the road, had a couple of television deals in the works. All of this is now meaningless without much proof at all. TV Land has even pulled the popular "The Cosby Show" from syndication in the wake of this debacle.

It definitely seems like these victims were out to get a piece of him while he was back on top, and everyone else is kicking him while he's down. No one is seemingly coming to his rescue.

Now while Dr. Cosby has paid off one of the women before, and cheated on his long time wife years ago, that is not a direct connection to this case. Apparently innocent into proven guilty isn't holding up well.

My thing is we are all humans and we are all fallable. I'm not personally saying Cosby is guilty or innocent. I'm simply saying let's allow all of the facts to come out before we hastily accuse him. Thus far, it's mostly been here say.  It would be unfair if Cosby's side of the story holds up, and then no repair to his longstanding image is restored.

Let's look at all of the raw details and evidence first. Someone will always be out to capitalize on an opportunity or to bring someone down. We should all make sure it is more than that first and foremost.

Do you think Bill Cosby assaulted those women? How do you view him as a person?

Jason Farr: Coming Very Far In Comedy in 2014 And Beyond

Local comedian and frequent guest panelist on Scene on Seven Jason Farr has definitely come a far way (no pun intended) in his journey to become an elite comedian. He is making great strides towards this feat, winning South Carolina's funniest comic, and the second funniest comic in all of the Carolinas.

I have known Farr for seventeen years and he has always been original , quick witted and effortlessly funny. He simply knows how to make others laugh and enjoys doing so.

Jason was inspired to pursue comedy at only five years old because of Bill Murray. He saw him in Ghostbusters (this year is of course the 30th Anniversary of that cinematic classic). He said he wanted to be an actor, but more to the point, he wanted to be Bill Murray. Farr got into stand up because he wanted to get better at comedy writing and he read a book on his craft which suggested that doing stand up would sharpen his writing skills. Jason then looked up open mics in Greenville, SC and came across the only one, which was run by a great guy named Nick Shaheen. Farr started coming out to do stand up and didn't stop. The rest is history.

He later entered the "Carolina's Funniest Comic" competition ran by Alchemy Improv Comedy (out of Greenville, SC which he joined last year) and DSI (out of Chapel Hill, NC). There are two wings to the competition, one in South Carolina and another in North Carolina. Comics in each state competed to move on to the finals, which were held in Chapel Hill during the NC Arts Festival. Farr advanced to the finals and was runner up to a NC comic, making him SC's Funniest Comic. The rounds were judged by audience vote. Another competition Jason was a part of was to win a spot opening for the Most Races Show Ever, run by Neil Bansil. The competition was held in Charleston and the winner was decided by a panel of judges. He won that competition and got to open for MRSOE at the Charleston Music Hall, which was great as he connected with lots of awesome people.
Additionally, Farr was on Laugh Your Asheville off, a comedy festival held in Western North Carolina. He has had a  great year in comedy, and feels super blessed and encouraged.

Jason also does improv comedy, which has been a great learning experience. He loves the people involved and it has enhanced his growth as a performer.  It has encouraged him to write at least a joke a day on his Twitter account.

Farr has numerous comedy influences including Bill Murray. Saturday Night Live has been huge just as a show to watch and learn from, but also, so many of his favorites came from there. If it wasn't for SNL, he feels Ghostbusters might not have provided an opportunity for Murray and Dan Aykroyd to make the film that initially inspired Farr. The show helped him to develop a comedic identity. Other SNL alums such as Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey, Seth Meyers, Will Ferrell, and Amy Poehler have influenced him greatly as well. Jason's biggest stand up influences include Jerry Seinfeld, Bill Cosby, Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Louis CK, and many more awesome comics.

Jason mostly performs at Coffee Underground in downtown Greenville. It's a great spot for food and drinks with friends, but it's also a wonderful place to enjoy live art.  Coffee Underground offers a few nights of live art ranging from poetry to music to comedy. Farr performs stand up there every Monday night for the No Expectations Comedy open mic, which he also help run with some really wonderful people. He does improv there every Friday night with Alchemy.
There are stand up shows every night of the week in the Upstate just about and you can catch Jason on some of them. These include the Upstairs Bar in Spartaburg on Tuesdays; and 2 other No Expectations open mics, one at IPA on Wednesdays and Habiba Mediterranean Restaurant on Thursdays.

Farr has been lucky enough to open for some amazing comics who came through Greenville; Rory Scovel, Jarrod Harris, Ryan Singer, Sara Schaefer, Joe Zimmerman, Baron Vaughn, Sean Patton, Brendon Walsh, and Trevor Noah just to name a few. They were all super awesome and encouraging.

Jason don't know what's next for him as far as anything bigger. He will keep on trucking and try to perform sometime in Atlanta. He has yet to do this and feels he shoud, as it is a superb comedic scene. Currently, Farr mostly just wants to improve and remain thankful with all the good fortune he has enjoyed in 2014,

Jason Farr can be reached through hia Facebook promotional page (www.facebook.com/ActorComedianJasonFarr), his Twitter account (@JasonFarrJokes), and his website, www.JasonFarrisAwesome.com

I highly encourage all to check out this young rising star. He is very humble and realizes where he's at and where he has to imrprove and want to be as a comedian. Perhaps he could be in New York soon and land a spot on Saturday Night Live like his biggest hero, Bill Murray, did 40 years ago.

Kevin Hart's Secrets Behind His Success

Many of you already know how I feel about comedian/actor Kevin Hart. He's annoying, obnoxious, overrated, and seemingly everywhere. There are not only folks in the urban comedy scene, but in comedy period that are way funnier than him. This was the subject of a blog from last year.

Nevertheless, Kevin's tours, shows and specials sell out like hotcakes, he does a lot of hosting gigs, and now he will be in two movies in the next two months. He has honestly worked his butt off and did what others aren't willing to do to be successful.

Yeah I realize a lot of entertainers work hard and have a good set of people around them. But what makes Kevin different?

1. Separation of personal and professional life

Kevin embraces his struggles, dealing with marriage then a divorce, and being diminutive.  He uses his weaknesses on stage as his strengths. He also doesn't do anything to have TMZ, MediaTakeout, or the tabloids talking.  He is hustling period.

2. Goes the extra mile by taking corny and major roles alike.

He does not mind being the lead man or the straight man. He simply wants to work and act and has a thick skin. He saw what Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy and Chris Rock did, and is following that blueprint. He may be selling out, especially in Dave Chapelle's eyes (who gave up 50 million plus because he wasn't going to be Comedy Central's puppet).  Like it or not, Kevin continues to get work due to this attitude.

3. He is familiar and derivative.

Many critics, myself included, accuse Hart of being unoriginal and derivative of comedians from the past such as Chris Rock, Martin Lawrence, and even Chris Tucker. Audiences and fans like that though and Kevin and his management were smart enough to see that. That what turns him from the annoying cousin to an elite entertainer in the eyes of many.

4. He is very professional.

He shows on time for performances, shows and rehearsals and rarely, if ever, cancels. That is a strong trait to have and he is basically someone you can trust to do the job you pay him for.

5. He has no major challengers.

I named seven that could give Kevin a run for his money. However, even those seven, plus Katt Williams, Vince Morris, and Christopher Titus have other things distracting and hindering them. Ten years ago, things may be different.  Present day, Kevin is head and shoulders above all in the comedy game.

Some will agree, some will disagree with all or part of this blurb. But when I realized it, Kevin has earned his fame. It does not make me one of his millions of fans, but I can't knock the little man's hustle. 

Top 7 Male Black Comedians That I Find Funnier Than Kevin Hart

America, specifically Black America, have seemed to lack a dominant, hilarious black comedian since Dave Chapelle decided to step away. Dave was preceded by legends such as Pigment Markum, Richard Pryor, Redd Foxx, Eddie Murphy, and Chris Rock. You could even throw The Kings of Comedy in there.

One of the Kings, Steve Harvey, is big in the limelight at the moment. Family Feud host, radio show personality, and best selling author of Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man. This book has spawned a movie, Think Like A Man, which has been one of the most successful and talked about movies this year. The star comedian was Kevin Hart. Now it appears Kevin Hart has taken the role of Chapelle, Rock, Murphy, Redd, etc.

Don't get me wrong, Kevin is funny and talented. However, he is NOT an elite comedian. He is corny, annoying, and unoriginal. He is too derivitative of many of the comedians I have mentioned and many others. However, he seems to be the surrogate or substitute teacher in the eyes of many. Not mine though.

This week, my top seven will consist of seven active black males that are funnier than Kevin Hart, and that more people should pay attention to.

1. Mike Epps

Yes I realized he's a pothead and doesn't have the best reputation. Nonetheless, he is laugh out loud funny, original, and seasoned. Epps can just be talking and make you bust a gut. He's definitely a fave of mine.

2. DeRay Davis

Another extremely funny man that can't seem to get any respect. Katt Williams (who is funny but not on this list because he is not currently active) once called DeRay the funniest comedian out. DeRay's Showtime special last year was a huge success. He and the aforementioned Epps even had a friendly Twitter battle last year.

3. Affion Crockett

His standup humor may not be strong as most on this list, but he is a good, versatile comedian. He could easily be on Saturday Night Live or a variety show. He needs one, since FOX canceled his show"In The Flow With Affion Crockett". He presented humor and skits that were sharp, timely, and not seen much or ever. I hope Affion continues with his career because he is truly a diamond in the rough.

4. Alonzo Bodden

He's a former runner up and winner of Last Comic Standing, and simply a funny, unique comedian. He doesn't discuss relationships, marriages and children much because he has no kids and he's a bachelor. However, he has that character and natural ability to make you laugh just by giving his view on things going on in the world and pop culture.

5. Earthquake

This big, funny man is currently on The Royal Comedy Tour with Sommore, Cedric The Entertainer and others. He is very raw but real. He is also versatile as he has appeared in television and movies and killed the scene. He is just very silly, but not to an annoying point.

6. LaVell Crawford

An even larger funny man, this portly comedian has been on Comic View, runner up on Last Comic Standing, and has a couple of specials out. He pokes fun at his weight, relatives, his diabetes (the sugar) and dealing with call centers. He is always dressed up in a three piece suit ala Steve Harvey, and beyond that, has that style that I love seeing.

7. J. Anthony Brown

This laugh machine is on The Tom Joyner morning show, and despite being older than the previous six, has that natural ability for comedy. He has that folksy, old soul like a John Witherspoon or a Paul Mooney, but much crazier. He also compares to George Wallace. But his overall style is second to none, and he excels at poking fun at various topics and telling gut-busting stories.

So once again, this is not to disrespect Kevin Hart. It is to say he is not the only act in town that black folks can relate to, and certainly not the funniest. YouTube these seven I mentioned, listen to their Pandora stations, and rent their comedy specials. I can almost guarantee their quick wit and original brands of comedy will keep you laughing.

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