Igniting the Comedy Fire: How Deadgood Productions Rekindled My Love for Live Comedy Shows
Lately, the comedy scene has been lackluster, leaving me feeling less enthusiastic about attending shows. As a comedy fan, I find myself questioning whether it's me or the comedians that are causing the disinterest.
Case in point, I'm driving from Dallas to McKinney at 9 pm to watch a comedy show, but I'm feeling less than enthusiastic about it. As a spoiled Dallasite, I can't help but feel like I'm driving to Oklahoma as soon as I go north of 635. Moreover, as a jaded comedy fan, I sometimes sense that I've already seen most of what's out there.
Photos: Megan Katani
Now, fast forward to 11:30 pm that same night, and I'm sipping my whiskey on the rocks while sharing another shot of whiskey with some of the comics from the show I just watched. It's not just their conversation and pleasantries that I'm enjoying; I'm still floating on the high of having witnessed an amazing comedy show.
Like a local fanboy, I expressed to the comics just how great the show was. I told them that I had been in a bit of a funk and was merely going through the motions of attending shows until they came along and broke me out of it.
The fire in my belly always burns to go to shows, meet comics, and promote them, but they threw a can of gasoline on that flame, turning it into a raging inferno once again.
Sure, I have GERD, and it's possible that I might be confusing the physical feeling with the emotional one, but nevertheless, I felt completely reinvigorated and inspired after the show.
So, what happened? Deadgood Productions happened—a new show production venture that is the brainchild of stand-up comics Scott Bedgood and Kevin Deanda.
It was literally their first show, and the only reason I attended was because Scott was kind enough to DM me a few times to remind me about it. As mentioned earlier, I approached the show with a rather lethargic attitude of "well, let's see where this goes. There are a couple of comics that I haven't watched before. Maybe it will be fun."
Much like Will Ferrell's character in Old School, I hadn't planned on drinking because I had a big day ahead of me the next day. My quaint 1953 home desperately needed the original back door replaced, and I had ambitious plans to install a storm door as well. So, I decided not to indulge in alcohol and to head home right after the show for a good night's sleep.
As I ascended the steps of the Comedy Arena, an unexpected shift in my mood began to take place. Anticipating a sparsely attended event, I was pleasantly surprised to find a line of eager people waiting on the same steps to get in.
Usually, when I attend a show alone, I'm relegated to a table near the back, with three empty chairs serving as my companions. However, this time, my expectations were pleasantly shattered as I realized the show had sold out, adding an air of excitement to the atmosphere.
As I waited to be seated, I couldn't resist eavesdropping on conversations buzzing around me. People were chatting about how they had stumbled upon the show through a digital flyer or how they personally knew one of the comics, all sharing the anticipation of what was promised to be an exciting evening.
As I took my seat, I found myself next to a delightful couple, accompanied by their daughter, who was visiting from London.
As soon as I settled in, they greeted me and began a friendly conversation. They inquired if I had been to the venue before and whether I knew any of the comics performing that night. Their daughter, while visibly excited, also confessed to feeling a hint of nervousness. She expressed her concerns about fully grasping American humor and worried about the possibility of being singled out by one of the comics during the show.
Her words struck a chord with me, reminding me of the times when I used to sit in comedy clubs with the same mixture of excitement and wonder. It was a delightful and refreshing experience to be transported back to those moments, realizing how much joy they had brought me in the past. The enthusiasm exuding from this trio began to rub off on me, and my previously mentioned lackluster attitude was gradually being replaced by a growing sense of anticipation.
Fuck it, now i’m in a good mood.
It’s Friday night, so I decided to make the most of it and ordered two beers since there's a two-item minimum, and I didn't want to be the lame one among my new comedy companions.
With a beer in hand, I observed the sold-out crowd, each person radiating the same level of interest and anticipation. Then, the moment arrived—the lights dimmed, the music began, and the first comic stepped onto the stage.
From that point forward, I was treated to an exceptional show, featuring an incredible lineup of local comics. The performance showcased the comedic talents of Sylvia McCallum Bateman, Paul Smith, Nimesh Patel, Sri Raj, Andy Franklin, Scott Bedgood, and Kevin Deanda.
Photos: Megan Katani
Their engaging performances showcased their unique comedic talents and had the audience in stitches, spreading laughter throughout the crowd..
Many of these comics I've seen perform multiple times before, but tonight was refreshingly different. They each delivered brand-new material that I hadn't heard before. As for the other comedians, it was my first time watching them, and I was pleasantly surprised to see how well they held their own alongside our more experienced performers.
Photos: Megan Katani
For the first time in a while, I found myself on the edge of my seat throughout the entire show. I even had to play the unfortunate game of deciding which comic to miss while I used the bathroom. It was a tough choice that I’ll never reveal, but I stand by it.
After the final performer closed their set, my entire outlook had changed, all thanks to Deadgood Productions and their fantastic inaugural comedy showcase, “The Melting Pot”. They truly delivered a wake-up call that made me realize a few things.
Photos: Megan Katani
First and foremost, I was reminded of my deep love for this comedy scene. The abundance of talent in our metroplex, from seasoned veterans to fresh newcomers, is awe-inspiring. The fact that we have amazing comedy clubs and multiple options to choose from should make me more eager than hesitant to attend shows, even when they require a bit of a drive.
Furthermore, Deadgood Productions showed me that I need not worry about the quality of the show. As long as we have folks carefully curating comedy lineups, there's an endless supply of humor that can create an unforgettable experience at a moment's notice.
Lastly, their showcase reminded me of the sheer joy I find in immersing myself in our comedy world.
I'd much rather be hungover, sweating in the scorching summer heat while installing an exterior door, all the while replaying the hilarious jokes from the night before in my head, than miss out on a great comedy show wondering if it was any good.
Deadgood Productions rekindled my passion for comedy and left me with a newfound appreciation for the vibrant comedy community we have. They've reminded me to embrace the laughter, the talent, and the joy that comes with being a part of this fantastic comedy scene.
Be sure to stay on the lookout for their future shows, as I sincerely hope you have the opportunity to relish the same delightful experience that I had!
Travis Wright is the host of the “I’m a fan of…” podcast. If you enjoy music and comedy, be sure to subscribe to the podcast and check out the You Tube Channel. Thanks!