Crowd Control

For most comedians, their act is almost exclusively comprised of written jokes.

Then there's MATT RIFE.

Based upon all his viral videos, it appears his act relies heavily on his improvisational interaction with the audience. His witty, back and forth repartee with his audiences keep them in stitches.

His rising success has already got veteran comedians a little salty. They don't see him as a comedian who delivers jokes in the realm of Eddie Murphy and others. No, they see him as a "pretty boy" who undoubtedly owes his success almost solely to his looks.

Well, suffice it to say that if crowd control is his "in" to comedy riches, he's succeeding tenfold. His shows sell out within hours.

From what I've witnessed, his interaction with his audiences illustrates a man with a razor sharp mind who can come up with a quick-witted response within seconds.

And heck, it's not HIS fault he's not bad on the eyes!!!

I wish him the very best!!!

We Shall Overcome

The SAG-AFTRA and WGA unions are striking. 

As a member of SAG-AFTRA, our main concerns are residual pay from streaming services and artificial intelligence (AI).

Truth be told, earning a sustainable living in showbiz has gotten to be really, really, really difficult for the vast majority of us who aren't superstars. It's glaringly apparent that producers want to pay as little as they legally can whilst expecting as much creativity from us as they can possibly get.

NO MORE!!! 

Yes, this strike is the last thing any of us want. In fact, this whole experience feels like Covid Shutdown 2.0. It has put a serious hurt on many of our bank accounts; just like Covid did.

If SAG-AFTRA members meet specific requirements, they can contact the organizations listed below for financial assistance. Those requirements and all other pertinent info can be found on the links. 

1.) SAG-AFTRA Foundation Emergency Financial Assistance and Disaster Relief Fund

2.) Entertainment Community Fund

I clearly see both unions are determined to do what's best for their members. And I'm immeasurably thankful for that. But in the meantime and in-between time, it looks like I'm gonna have to procure some other income. Starting over again has been a feat I've tackled many a time, but geez, at damn near 60??? Well, a brotha has to do what a brotha has to do!!!

At this point, all I can do is keep pushing FORWARD and call upon FAITH!

The biblical definition of FAITH is also MINE: "...the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

We SHALL OVERCOME!!!

Someday.