Jessica's review

Hey Richard,thanks for the dics-uh, I mean disc, I just finished listening to it. Fucking hilarious! Beautiful! Truth hurts! Stranger than fiction! I laughed with tears in my eyes, I tsked and clucked like a mother hen. I experienced it, and it was good. Jessica

Vince on the loose.

It seems impossible, when standing at some industry reception, smoking, to not run into Vince Flueck. This is him taking a bite out of my wife. Meanwhile, even he is up to date with the bitchfest going on, on www.whinywebsite.com they've got up in the center of the universe. Apparently I'm being slagged for posting my picture of me and lewis black.Where's you picture of YOU and lewis black you might ask? Exactly.

Leanne and I attend Vancity's Premeire of "Homeland"

Squishy and I went to see the Vancity sponsored screening of "Homeland" and the brand new theatre. Excellant Documentary about how the US government is trying tro take back whatever little land the Native Amercian's were given.The struggle these people take on against Big Business is inspiring. That's Leanne with Vancity's CEO and his wife. I took advantage of the free Stella's, and am not pictured here.

Story Slam Winner!

I went to partake in my first "Slam". My first show in my new world of Spoken Word.It was a Story Slam, where everyone has to tell a story under five minutes. I finished third and IN THE MONEY!! Leanne had a higher score, but she went long. The story I did was edited down from the blog I wrote a few days ago. I will include the winning edit.

Memorial Day – by Richard Lett

It was Tuesday after a long weekend and I had been in New York City a week. Jody from Stand Up New York told me I could do a set on if I could bring 6 people who would pay cover and a 2 drink minimum, I had the guy I met coming in on the bus, an old girlfriend, and Costa, the Greek guy I was staying with. Out of them I should be able to come up with at least 6 people. Jody reminded me, that if my peeps didn’t show up, not only will I not get on, but they wouldn’t like me very much.

The holiday was memorial day.Memorial day, it turns out, is a war memorial and according to homeland insecurity a good time for terrorists to attack, and so Manhattan was armed to the teeth under orange alert. I phoned my daughter, she was eight. I said “We’re under Orange Alert!” She said, “that sounds pretty!”

By that morning it was apparent NO ONE was coming to my show. “Darling, no one goes out the day after along weekend.” A sense of doom followed me as wandered around Hell’s Kitchen and sat in Memorial park, (this time for the fireman of 911). I checked my subway map, and the only thing between me and Stand Up New York, was Central Park.

Central Park, I had heard, was a place to be mugged or murdered. It is, in fact, one of the most beautiful parks in the world. I was overwhelmed. I sat at Strawberry Fields and tried to imagine what John Lennon had.

As I walked along a wooded path, I realized how quiet it was. Somehow in a place with somewhere around 12 million people lived, I was alone. I thought , almost out loud, “how strange to be in such a beautiful place, and have no one to share it with. To be alone.” And then a voice spoke, “You’re not alone”. I have felt that presence before, but never so clearly.

I said, “Lord. If this is it - if this as far as my little jokes get me - to come here to see this beautiful place, then I’m good.“ Then I found a large rock, sat on it, took off my boots, and prayed my fucking ass off. Then I walked to the club.

The early show was just ending when I got there. The headliner’s a guy in western gear named Dustin. “I’m an authentic Texan. I lived in a trailer court, I’ve had sex with my cousin and I’ve seen a UFO.”

I talked to him after the show. I ask him what happens if your people don’t show up. He said, “Why, are they late?” I said “No, I think they’re in Vancouver.” “Oh, well, tell ‘em there late and maybe they’ll let you on anyway…”


Right then Jody walks up. “Richard, where are your people? It’s quarter to, they’re s’posed to be here by now.” “I think they’re late.” “Well can you call them?” I said, “sure”.

I stepped outside with my dead cell phone to my ear, pretending to call, pacing and looking at my watch. Out of the dark bounds two beautiful blonde girls. “Oh here it is!” one of them squeals. I said, “Are you here to see the comedy?” “Yes” they spout in unison, jumping up and down excitedly. I said ”Are you here to see anyone one in particular?” “No just the comedy.”

I don’t know if, in the history of New York comedy and it’s “bringer shows”, this idea has ever been used before but I swear I just acted on impulse. I said, “Are you sure you’re not here to see …” I pointed to my name on the sign,” Richard Lett?”.

The girls looked a me, and bit hard they’re eyes sparkling like stars. “Are you Richard Lett?”. I smiled. “Yes, yes. We’re here to see Richard Lett!!!” The father of the two, obvious by his tired but enthusiastic smile, stood behind them on the street. I said to him, “Would you mind telling them at the box office, that you’re here to see me.” He said “Sure, as soon as the rest of our people get here…” A cab pulls up, and three guys jump out. Jody walks out and I grin. She says, “I knew you peeps would show”.

Nobody bothered to ask how this family from Biloxi Mississippi knew this comedian from Vancouver, but being the Tuesday night after a long weekend, they represented a full third of the audience, and that’s all that mattered.

I was sitting at the bar going over my notes in my book when Ellen Cleghorn came in. Very recognizable from her years on Saturday Night Live, she had dropped in to do a set, and so a few comics got bumped. Not me though, I had my people out there. As Ellen’s getting ready to go on she looks over at me with my book and beams a smile. “It’s all funny. I can tell.” Wow!

While Ellen is on Carolyn Rhea shows up. If the backstage wasn’t buzzing before, it is now. Jody walks around telling some other comics the bad news, and then she walks up to me. “Carolyn’s probably gonna do about half an hour, then you’re on for seven.

My set is hot, my peeps love it. As I’m closing I can see a crowd of comics gathering. I find out what the hubbub is. A kid I grabs my arm, “Chris Rock is here.”

And sure enough he is. He got up and did an hour. He struggles to get laughs and I look over at my to Buloxi angels. They grin and wave and gesture that Chris is boring them. I smile.

As I stood surrounded by my newly acquired fan club(Biloxi chapter), Chris walked by. I explained to the girls that he had been working on new material, and I was doing my “A” stuff, but it didn’t matter to them. That day, wasn’t about Chris Rock for them. For them that day was about Richard Lett. A memorial day to be sure.

October 6, 2005

GAME ON!!

Hockey starts tonight, and I am predicting an Ottawa/Vancouver Stanley Cup Final. This will create conflict in the small contingent of Ottawa/Vancouver fans in Ottawa, ie. the recently converted family of Michael Holmes, my friend in Ottawa.

my tuesday night

...began with coffee with my brother. He was showing me pictures from his trip to the Simian mountains of Ethiopia. Thats him on the mule. It is impossible, I discovered, to use a flash with him and not have him blink...

all points bulletin

If anyone's looking for Nick, he's in Vancouver

The two faces of Jarrod Paul Mass

We were boys when we met, JP Mass, is one of my most valued friends. Read the clutchon my website for a story about him...

the urban well

The longest running venue in Vancouver, a place where the best show isn't on the stage - the Urban Well is on Cornwall and Yew, and the show is run by Sean Proudlove.(who as head of the local chapter of "Richard-haters", manages to at least have a sense of humour about my status as comedy's Prince of Darkness)

Gram or Graem Clark

This is the ever giggling Graem Clark (although he's not in this picture). Say hello to him and you'll get a laugh. I met Graem about six months after he met me, as he was an editor of a documentary I was the subject of. Funny guy, Graem produces and hosts the stand up show at the El Cocal.

A fan of Richard's blog!

Ran into one-of-a-kind Kevin Foxx last night. He is a self-professed fan of "Richard's Blog" and has been following the e-witchhunt going on out east. He told me to post this photo, and tell all the haters to "Fuck Off". From your lips to God's ears Kevin. Not to say the whole night was spent on gossip, as he turned me on to Texan songster Guy Clark. To quote his lyrics, "Aint no money in poetry, makes the poets free. I've had all the freedom I can stand." Kev figures you could change the word "poet" for "comic". Hanging out with new Kits resident Pete Johanson, Kev clued us into to the latest technologies for getting girls. A new book he bought called "The Game". Ah, will the hunt ever end... keep reading Kev(the book and my blog), and welcome to the hood Pete!

One very good question?

One night at Yuks Yuks Vancouver, Jason Lamb and I were standing outside for a smoke, when a man came out. He had just been kicked out of the club, for being obnoxious. After 2 seconds talking to this guy, we could see that the staff had made a good call. He was very high on blow, and drunk, lots of gold, and all ego. He was determined to get into the club to show them he was the funniest of all. I suggested he go into the lounge upstairs and wait for his friends. In the lounge this guy realizes he’s getting nowhere bullying me, (as I have already managed to get a beer and a shot out of him). He zeroes in on Jason, who is young in appearance and elegant in manner – and he has mistaken these qualities for weakness. He is telling Jason how successful and brilliant he is, and says he can answer any question Jason could pose. Several times he challenged Jason to ask him a question. I sat close by to ensure no harm came to my friend, as this was a can of worms I had opened. Finally Jason looks him dead in the eye and says – “Okay, I have a question for ya.” “Fire away” the resident genius, says. “Tell me - what makes you happy?” Panic raced through the guy’s eyes and he stopped speaking for the first time since we met him. He was stumped and burned in the same moment. I can’t tell you how proud I was of Jason that night – one for the good guys! On my way home, I left pondering Jason’s question. What makes ME happy?(Jason is pictured here at the Urban Well with Brad Muise)

Memorial Day

Memorial Day – by Richard Lett

I was in New York a week at this point. I was there looking for something. Legitimacy. Stand-up Comedy has it’s very beginnings in New York City. I needed to taste it. Get that smell on me.

There are more than a dozen full time comedy clubs in Manhattan, but less than half are of real significance. Gotham, the Comedy Cellar, Caroline’s, the Improv, the Village, and StandUp New York. The only one of these that returned my call was StandUpNY. Jody told me I could do a set on Tuesday if I could bring 10 people who would pay cover and a 2 drink minimum. Talking off the top of my head – I said how about six? I had, the guy I met on the bus, and old girlfriend, and Costa, the Greek guy I was staying with. Out of them I should be able to at Least 6 people. Jody said that six would be fine, but she reminded me, that if my peeps don’t show, not only will I not get on, but they won’t like me anymore.

Not being an American, I had no idea that memorial day weekend would be the time period between this call and the show. Two things I learned; 1. New Yorkers take their long weekends very seriously, they all leave. And 2. memorial day is a war memorial and perfectly good reason for terrorists to attack again, and so Manhattan was armed to the teeth under orange alert.
I phoned my daughter, she was eight. I said “We’re under Orange Alert!” She said, “that sounds pretty!”

Tuesday arrived, and it was apparent by about 2pm that NO ONE was coming to my show. They had all begged off, pointing out that being the day after a long weekend, no one wants to go out. A sense of doom overtook me as I sat Hell’s Kitchen in a memorial park, (this time for the fireman of 911). A strange homeless woman, showed me an article from a newspaper she found about an invention. I left to buy a pretzel, (my exclusive diet by this time in my tour), and as I left she said, “God Bless You”.

With still several hours to go, I checked my subway map, and the only thing between me and the club, was Central Park. I had observed Central park from it’s perimeter, but hadn’t actually gone in it. Seemed as good a time as any.

What I discovered was that Central Park, a place to be mugged or murdered, as I had heard it’s lore, was in fact, one of the most beautiful parks in the world. I was overwhelmed by each turn that would reveal a dozen ball parks, or a lake. I sat at strawberry fields and wondered what John Lennon had wondered there.

As I walked along a wooded path, I realized how quiet it was. The constant cacophony of the city was gone, and in place with somewhere around 12 million people I was alone. I thought , almost out loud, “how strange to be in such a beautiful place, and have no one to share it with. To be alone. And then a voice spoke, and I swear it was a clear as my father over my shoulder telling me to slow down. This voice said, “You’re not alone”. I believe I have felt that presence before, but never so clearly.

I said, “If this is it Lord. If all I get from telling my little jokes is to come here to see this beautiful place, then I’m good. “ Then I found a large rock, sat on it, took off my boots, and prayed. Prayed my ass off. Then I thought, well if I do get on the show, and I fuck up, what difference does it make? So worked my 7 minute set. And then I walked to the club.

When I got to the club, the show before mine was just ending. Pasted on the board, along with several other names was Richard Lett. I avoid meet Jody and go into the show. The headliner is a guy in western gear named Dustin. “I lived in a trailer court, I’ve had sex with my cousin, I’ve seen a UFO – I’m from Texas!”

I talked to him after the show. I ask him what happens if your people don’t show. He said, “Why are they late?” I said “No, I think they’re in Vancouver.” “Oh, well, tell ‘em there late and maybe they’ll let you on anyway…”

Right then Jody walks up. “Richard, where are your people? It’s quarter to, they’re s’posed to be here by now.” “I think they’re late.” “Well can you call them?” I said, “sure”.

I stepped outside with my dead cell phone to my ear, pacing and looking at my watch, when out of the dark bounded these two beautiful blonde young girls. “Oh here it is!” one of them squealed as they beamed at me. An older man followed up behind. I said, “Are you here to see the comedy?” “Yes” they squealed, jumping up and down excitedly. I said ”Are you here to see anyone one in particular?” “No just the comedy.”

I don’t know if this idea has ever been used before in the history of New York comedy and it’s “bringer shows”, but I swear had just acted on impulse. I said, “Are you sure you’re not here to see …” I pointed to my name on the sign,” Richard Lett?”.

The girls looked a me, and bit hard. They’re eyes sparkling like stars. “Are you Richard Lett?”. I smiled. “Yes, yes. We’re here to see Richard Lett!!!” The father of the two, obvious by his tired but enthusiastic smile, stood behind them on the street. I said to him, “Would you mind telling them at the box office, that you’re here to see me.” He said “Sure, as soon as the rest of our people get here…” At that moment a cab pulled up, and three guys jump out. Jody walks out as I stand there with my six guests. I grin and she says, “I knew you peeps would show” and I was on.

Nobody bothered to ask how this family from Biloxi Mississippi knew this comedian from Vancouver, but being the Tuesday night after a long weekend, they represented a full third of the audience, and that’s all that mattered.

That bartender comped me a Jack and Coke cause I was on the show, and I was sitting at the bar going over my notes in my book when Ellen Cleghorn came in. Very recognizable from her years on Saturday Night Live, she was there to do a set, and so a few comics got bumped. Not me though, I had my people out there. As Ellen is getting ready to go on she looks over at me with my book and beams a smile. “It’s all funny. I can tell.” Then she goes on. I look at the barkeep and say “Wow”. He agrees with a nod.

While Ellen is on Carolyn Rhea shows up, and if backstage wasn’t buzzing before, it is now. Jody walks around telling some other comics the bad news, and then she walks up to me. “Carolyn’s probably gonna do about half and hour, then you’re on for seven. “ “That’s cool” “Well at least you people get to see a great show.” “True”.

Carolyn does a half and then Jody intro’s me. My set is hot, my people love it and as I’m closing I can see a crowd of comics gathering to watch – me, I think. As I walk offstage I find out what the hubbub is. A kid I was chatting with grabbed my arm as soon as I got off. “Chris Rock is here.”

And sure enough he was. He followed with an hour. As I watched him, I was surprised at how tiny he is. I looked over at my to Buloxi angels and they waved and gestured that Chris was boring them. I smiled.

As Chris closed I shook his hand. The girls were on me immediately about how funny I was and I was way better than Chris Rock. As I stood surrounded by my newly acquired fan club, Chris walked by. I said “Mister Rock, can I ask you something. He stopped. And then I asked him the only question I knew he’d say no to. I have wondered why ever since. I said “Can I take your picture.” He said,”No” and left.

As the girls continued their assertions that I was better than him and I explained that he had been working on new material, and I was doing my “A” stuff, I realized, that on that day, it wasn’t about Chris Rock, on that day it was about Richard Lett.
A memorial day for sure.

just cause

Why are blogs so dangerous?

Because of the incredible visibility the internet affords, the ability to go online, and project ideas and images across the world, on a whim, makes the field of free expression wide open. Anyone can present their ideas, feelings, predjudices, anxieties, frustrations to a world wide audience. In short, bloggers cannot be silenced. This naturally creates fear in those that think the blogger will misuse this power. There's is always that possibility. This is a problem, not because the blogs exist, but because people read them. To be truthful, I don't. Even blogs that have been set up to besmirch me directly, I tend to ignore. Meanwhile, I have noticed an increase in viewership, when I write something controversial. So from time to time I'll throw something in to keep it lively. I know this makes people nervous, because I have a reputation of speaking my mind, and one never knows when it will happen. As Damonde says, "without you Rich, we'd have nothing to talk about!" So coming soon, the adventure of the comedy warrior in the "I" of the storm will continue. Dum da dum da...

Guy MacPhearson - the face behind the words

"What's So Funny?" hosted by Guy MacPhearson is on every Sunday at 11pm on 102.7. I was on last night.

Guy is Vancouver's only journalist to cover comedy, and has been doing his radio show for over a year. I'm not sure if Vancouver is aware how lucky it is to have an individual willing to commit to drawing an informed eye to comedy here. This lends an air of legitimacy to our comedy scene, as well as to the City of Vancouver as well. When I first met Guy, he was just starting to pursue comedy as a journalist,(he had been writing sports etc. before that). We have discussed many things over the years,at times, that has become heated. To his credit, he knows how to get a story. So last time I was on, early in the enterprize, I ended up dissing Brent Butt and "Corner Gas", and everybody listened to the show. Good radio. This time, Guy cut me some slack, and focussed on my comedy, running clips of George Carlin and Bobby Slaten, as well as clips from my CD, to referance the interview. In short, a well researched and strucutred show, that I believe, in it's own, less controversial right, was GOOD RADIO.Look for a copy of the interview on my website www.richardlett.com in the next few days. I include Guy's picture, because being a print and Radio "guy" means nobody knows what he really looks like. Now you do - (he's bald). Up top - That's Guy's beautiful assistant Kevin Smith in his natural setting.

The Porduction Team For "The Happy Prince"

These are the three guys that will be helping to makle the Christmas Play a reality. Rev Jim, in the collar, will be executive producing, as well as playing the charcter of "God" in the play. Gillan, the shorter one, is producing and playing "Oscar Wilde", and Allan is our musical director. This project is gonna be a lot of fun, as these guys are very excited to be working on it. Follow the blog for updates on this project.