STAGE TUBE: THE RESIDUALS Thank KickStarter Supports with Personalized Eddie Cantor Jokes

I always feel like I'm in a museum when I'm in a store like that. I think about what was happening in the world at the time that each item was in use, and I look for hints in the items themselves. It wasn't until we were on our way out that I came across a book of jokes from 1943, edited by none other than the legendary Eddie Cantor (most recently portrayed in "Boardwalk Empire"). The price: 3 dollars. But, short-sighted as I was, I couldn't imagine a situation in which the book would really get its day in the sun. What, would I bring it to a party and offer it up in place of "Cards Against Humanity"? Not likely. But Gillian assured me that if I didn't get it, I'd wish I had. So I did.

I regaled everyone in the car with a few randomly chosen jokes, brought it home, and put it on a crowded shelf. I liked how I could hear Eddie Cantor's unique style in most of the jokes. I also liked how they were written in a format that to my eye looks unconventional. If you buy a book of jokes today, they almost always come in question and answer form, or story form. Most of the jokes in this book were written as dialogue, even as ultra-short vignettes. They're very G-rated, and often outdated, but still--they have a way of being surprising just the same. As of this writing, I've read almost every joke in the book, and I've heard almost none of them before. Reading them reminds me of why I like watching those Dean Martin roasts, and why I have a very special affinity for Norm MacDonald's boldly old-school set in the "Comedy Central Roast of Bob Saget." They refer without saying, and they have a riddle quality more than a shock value. They were meant to come at you fast. If you get it, great. If not, there's another one on its way. The fact that some of the references are outdated makes them charming to me. I like the idea of laughing at humor that's timeless, but I also like laughing because something is so time-specific. Even the not perfectly constructed jokes probably get a chuckle out of me if they have an awesome old lady name like "Ethel" or "Mabel" in it.

Which brings me to August. Gillian, me, and our producer/friend Carrie Rachel-Dean were trying to put the finishing touches on our Kickstarter rewards. We had our high-end stuff all locked in (visit the set, appear in the show, etc), but we needed something more accessible, yet fun and personal. I volunteered to make thank you videos, but quickly became consumed with finding a personalized, unique way to thank people without rambling some cookie-cutter small talk or rhetorical greeting-card speak. Then I thought of the book on the crowded shelf.

Once we tried one for our first recording, Gillian and I realized that not only are these jokes still legitimately funny, with their added retro charm, but it's also about selling the lameness. If we relate it to our karaoke roots (which also get their due in the form of a different reward in our Kickstarter), we'll remember that the best karaoke performances don't have to be the best songs, or even the best singers. It's all about selling it and having fun with it. This is what we resolved to do. As an added twist, we thought it best that Gillian not see them beforehand. It's just fun (at least for me) trying to watch her hold it together. And after 5 videos and counting, and feedback such as "This is the best thing ever" and "I just woke up, watched this, and cried laughing", it seems to be working!

PS--I just thought about whoever sold their used book to that antique store for some amount less than 3 dollars; however long ago. He/she has no idea the kind of love it's getting. So thanks to whoever that person is, too.