Memphis Comics: Mo Alexander

The Memphis Stand Up Comedy blog is here to shed a light on those you see at our local shows and give you light into the comedy of those who warrant your time, in person or at your personal internet, streaming device in the comfort of your own laughter chamber, wherever that may be.

Our comedy Yoda, the Memphis hilarity rock and role model of our scene is Mo Alexander. Mo Alexander has played the comedy game for more than a decade and has headlined clubs all over the country, in top clubs, theaters and has tv and film credits under his belt. He has also opened for some of the most known comics in the country, including Brian Regan, Chris Rock, Dom Irrera, Tommy Davidson, Keenan Ivory Wayans and in 1999, he even featured for (of all people!), Dan "Larry the Cable Guy" Whitney. Alexander's style is to offend those people and ideals that have offended him; ideals such as ignorance, narrow-mindedness and for that matter, the easily offended.

Alexander's comedy in a fun contradictory social study. He's lovably evil; techno-geek with social skills; scooby doo after he ran away from the mystery machine gang and started hanging out with the old men scaring the children away. The only predictability from his shows is that laughter and thought will ensue.

How can such a lovable muppet be banned from 13 radio stations? Blame it on being a Scorpio if you want, but I think it has to do with the fact that logic prevails through all of his material, when it comes to divisive topics.

Mo Alexander will be playing with Matt Davis' Sinner's Ball later in April and will be headlining the Hi-Tone in late May. Check him out. Buy him a shot or ten of higher end Tequila (no Cuervo!) and watch the antics of a true entertainer push the limits of what you thought was possible in comedy... without ending up at 201 Poplar.

Various Mo Alexander Links:
Mo Alexander Fan Page on Facebook
Follow Mo Alexander on Twitter
Mo Alexander on MySpace
Read Mo Alexander's Blog

P and H Cafe

It's hard to have a Memphis Comedy Blog without talking about some of the more important figures, whether it be comedians or comedy establishments. With the sad demise of Comedy TN later this month, the rock of our scene would have to be centered at the P&H Cafe.

The P&H will be celebrating it's 2 year anniversary as of April 20th (yes, stoners, that day.) and in that time, there have been a slew of very talented young comedians to spring up from this well of funny.

The open mic was started by Brandon Sams, who keeps the atmosphere loose, free and allows you more freedom as a comic then pretty much anywhere in the country.

The crowds are generally a 20s to early 30s, literate, liberal and forgiving audience, which is almost oasis among West Tennessee rooms, in many cases, until you consider it's Midtown Memphis location, then one can understand this occurrence. The audience is usually packed with their BYOBs and pitchers of PBR in hand, awaiting the comedy.

There is a very loose sign up list. You talk to Brandon Sams before the show and eventually, you go up. There is no definite time limit, but for the sake of the audience and other comedians, keep it till you're out of funny, hopefully less than 10 minutes and then get off stage.

The material that can be seen goes anywhere from the road and comedy veteran stylings of Mo Alexander to more alt-comedy vibes giving to you by someone like Michael Kline doing his inanimate character, Sting Mattress (which is a mattress with pictures of Sting, simply enough) that has brought the house down several times. Several other notable comics show up every week with their delightfully twisted spin on the world and the idea of comedy in general.

The P&H Open Mic happens every Monday night around 11pm. Come to enjoy, perform or drink. Be forewarned, the P&H comedy night is not for the faint of heart or easily offended. It's a down and dirty show that can make even the most twisted blush.

For more information about the location, go to www.pandhcafe.com.

All photos by Caryn Loveless Photography.

Robert Hawkins

For those of you who are unaware, Robert Hawkins is in town for one more night of hilarity at the soon to be gone, Comedy TN.

He is a genius of the stage. As of Thursday, a 19 year veteran of stand up comedy. Despite the less than packed house that he filled, he still killed. He didn't hate the audience and he didn't make people feel bad about the numbers coming out to support him. His jokes are silly, topical, slightly evil, but always incredible hilarious.

Jaded comics that have sat through many-a-open mic and half-assed comedy show were in tears, because Hawkins makes everyone laugh. Sure, the topics could get to low brow humor, but the references go to the obscure, making even the most pretentious and PC intellectual break down into gut laughs.

If I can tell you nothing else about who is funny, go see Robert Hawkins next time he is in your general vicinity, because he will not disappoint.

Check him out at Crackle.com (Live from the Purple Onion) and you'll see why he is a master of his craft. Watch him over again and wonder why everything is still funny. Watch him again and stop questioning his ability, for you do not know the ways of the Hawk.

Welcome to Memphis Comedy

Hello World, as the computer-phytes say. This blog is to have an online representation of what is going on in Memphis Area Stand Up Comedy. There's more out there than you think and realize. This is my attempt at having the most accessible and most comprehensive list of all things Memphis so that you don't have to miss out in the local funny, which needs you as much as you need it.

As we go on, I'll try to keep up on acts coming through town and periodic spotlights on local comedians. If you find any information in error, we apologize ahead of time and we'll do our best to correct it.

Leave a comment if you'd like and tell us what you think about different happenings. Love a Memphis comic, hate a Memphis comic, wonder WTF a Memphis comic said or how to sleep with them? All that and more can and will be answered.

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