Well, kids, this is it. I’m leaving first thing tomorrow morning. My visits home will be few and far between, and when they happen, they’ll be exclusive to family.

Thanks, Troy, for being there as I grew up. Thanks, Albany, [...]]]>

I’m going to be the guest co-host for Alternative to Sleeping tonight on 90.9 WCDB FM! I’ll be with regular host Ethan Ullman for two hours to talk stand-up comedy as well as playing some of my favorite clips from my favorite comics, including but not limited to Patton Oswalt, Todd Barry, Natasha Leggero, [...]]]>  

I’m going to be the guest co-host for Alternative to Sleeping tonight on 90.9 WCDB FM! I’ll be with regular host Ethan Ullman for two hours to talk stand-up comedy as well as playing some of my favorite clips from my favorite comics, including but not limited to Patton Oswalt, Todd Barry, Natasha Leggero, Paul F. Tompkins and many many more.

It’s going to be a great time and an even greater listen.

LISTEN LIVE TONIGHT at 10 pm ET: WCDB 90.9 FM in Albany

LISTEN LIVE, ONLINE, FOR FREE AT http://www.wcdbfm.com,http://alt2sleep.com/listen or http://comedypipe.com/

LIKE US ALL ON FACEBOOK

– Kevin Marshall

– Ethan Ullman

– Alternative to Sleeping

Times Union Apologizes for Story About Ignoring Realtors’ Advice

In short: [...]]]> I don’t write much about local media anymore because 1.) I have bigger fish to fry (seriously) and 2.) it’s podunky and boring. But this caught my eye and it was just too hilarious and sad for me not to vent about it:

Times Union Apologizes for Story About Ignoring Realtors’ Advice

In short: the Times Union published an article in an insert about people that ignored their realtors’ advice. Realtors in the area were REALLY ANGRY because people were like “realtors? Eh.” So the Times Union decided to call them all in, gave a very heartfelt and public apology, and did a full-page ad for a full week – for free – extolling the virtue of realtors.

This is so goddamn ridiculous and gross in a myriad of ways.

First you have the Realtors, who feigned being so angry and upset! At least, I hope they were faking it. Otherwise they’re way too thin-skinned for the industry they’re in. Or just plain fucking crazy, because if it only takes someone tweeting “eh, idunno about realtors” to get you that upset, you’re a goddamn headcase. I don’t care what you do. For Christ’s sake, I’ve had worse things written about me on their blogs and laughed it off. And can you imagine other people crying foul at a handful of readers saying they ignore them? Why, the whole of the local radio industry would be marching down Wolf Road carrying pitchforks and torches!

Then you have George Hearst III, who responded by apologizing profusely and throwing his own staff under the bus, saying the article (which was dumb but essentially harmless) was “one-sided.” So, yeah, the publisher and, subsequently, Times Union as a whole decide to pull back the curtain to show everyone how ferociously the suck at the teet of advertisers. Which, granted, has been the case for a long time, but there’s a lot to be said for acting like you’ve fucking been there before. At least put up something resembling a front of dignity, guys.

The article itself? Misguided. Not by its tone so much as the crowd-sourcing for content and quotes. That shit really, really needs to stop, and all this nonsense is a perfect example why. When you get that sloppy and lazy with your work, you deserve everything that comes to you as fall-out. This isn’t Kristi Gustafson Barlette’s fault, either. It’s a direction the Times Union has gone in and encouraged far too often. Just last week I was told I was “quoted” in a story, which was a shock to me because I didn’t give any interviews. Turns out they showed something I tweeted about the movement to get Tim Tebow to call the survivor of a car crash. Which is fine, because again, it’s fair game. But the fact that there was an article in the Times Union precipitated by me and another user’s tweets is pretty fucking sad.

Seriously, if I pitched an article to Spike where I said “hey, how about I tweet out ‘what’d you guys think of IMPACT this week’ and write up the responses I get,” I’d be very politely told that it’s a very dumb and lazy pitch. And we’re not news. It’s not an issue of ethics so much as it’s just boring.

What. A. Mess.

It’s only $5. You’ll get a good show from that crowd. I’ll be there along with all the cool kids in Albany.

Here’s a [...]]]> Tonight’s the premiere for the Open Mic web series at Lark Tavern. It’s a project that’s been in development for over a year by a few local comedian friends.

It’s only $5. You’ll get a good show from that crowd. I’ll be there along with all the cool kids in Albany.

Here’s a preview trailer:

Disclosure: in a future third episode, yet to be filmed, I make a pretty prominent appearance.

$10, 9pm

All proceeds collected at the door will go directly to the Alzheimer’s Association of Northeastern New York.

Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/397891530284787/

Folks: DO NOT collect food, clothing, or other materials without checking with an organization first like the Red Cross. Many of you might mean well, but you’ll just make more work for people down there collecting crap and [...]]]> For all its faults, CNN.com actually has a helpful list of ways to legitimately help with Hurricane Relief: http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/30/us/iyw-how-to-help-after-sandy/index.html

Folks: DO NOT collect food, clothing, or other materials without checking with an organization first like the Red Cross. Many of you might mean well, but you’ll just make more work for people down there collecting crap and bringing it down to the city.

Also: please get in touch with a legitimate charity organization first before planning any trips to New York to either help out or give donations.

Do not let arrogance and ignorance get in the way of relief.

Also here, from WNYC.org: http://www.wnyc.org/articles/wnyc-news/2012/oct/30/how-help-hurricane-sandy/

One of the main goals of the Spike gig and perks thus far (other than everyone I’ve encountered that works there – seriously, they’re all fantastic people and I’ve had nothing but great experience and interactions with them) is the ability to use that money to save up for a car.

I’ve been [...]]]>

One of the main goals of the Spike gig and perks thus far (other than everyone I’ve encountered that works there – seriously, they’re all fantastic people and I’ve had nothing but great experience and interactions with them) is the ability to use that money to save up for a car.

I’ve been without a car for roughly…what is it, two years now? Maybe longer than that. It’s been a Hell of a crutch for me socially, since I live in an area with very limited public transit. More importantly, though, it’s prevented me from further pursuing my passion of stand-up comedy. Hitting the road has been a goal of mine for some time, but not possible because I don’t have a car. Some comedians can demand a few hundred for a bus and/or other travel accommodations. But they  have significantly more than just a little over a year under their belt, so they can command that sort of thing.

Me? Not so much.

Not that I’m complaining, there are far worse things that could happen. There are far worse situations I could be in. I’m constantly aware of this, if only to keep myself from wallowing in the kind of despicable self-pity that I’m so apt to fall into.

I received another reminder this week with the devastation left in the wake of Sandy.

People who have known me for longer than a moment know that I love New York. I really, truly do. There’s something about that city that just makes me feel okay every time I’m down there, no matter what the circumstances. It helps that I have my brother, sister-in-law, and adorable nephew living in Park Slope and two truly great friends in midtown Manhattan, Brian and Marla, who provide me with a place to crash during my all too brief and infrequent sojourns.

Seeing the footage of Sandy struck me because, for the first time that I can recall, I recognized the flooded streets and damaged buildings. If not having direct memories, I have at least peripheral recognition of the stricken areas. Seeing what’s happened in Jersey is just as heartbreaking, because there is a sort of familiarity with it. New York and New Jersey have an intrinsic, symbiotic relationship in its population, architecture, culture, and architecture. It’s sort of unacknowledged, even denied at times, but it’s there. We will joke, poke, and prod, but we are sibling states.

And so, while I feel the crunch financially and had planned to at least start looking at vehicles within the next couple weeks, I’m putting those plans on hold for at least a little while longer.

All money I’ll earn from my work this week through Spike – running their tumblr (SpikeTV.tumblr.com), the Tumblr for All Access Weekly (allaccessonspike.tumblr.com), writing for the All Access blog (http://www.spike.com/shows/all-access-weekly/articles), and my editorials for MMA Uncensored Live (http://www.spike.com/shows/mma-uncensored-live/articles) – I will combine with whatever I’m paid for my gig this Friday night at the Upstate Artists Guild in Albany and donate it to the Red Cross’s Disaster Relief Fund.

https://www.redcross.org/donate/index.jsp?donateStep=2&itemId=prod10002

You can help, too. I’m not asking you to do what I’m doing; what I do I’m doing because I finally, after years of living paycheck to paycheck (if that) can afford to do it. But even as little as $10 helps. You can donate by visiting the link above or make a $10 donation by texting REDCROSS to 90999.

You can also, in lieu of or addition to that, donate $10 to the American Humane Association which provides help and relief for victims’ pets in the form of food and shelter, by texting HUMANE to 80888.

Do it for New York and New Jersey, and all the other areas affected by Sandy. And also for all the other areas throughout the world that are helped by the Red Cross and their services.

Upcoming performances

Plus this Sunday in Lenox, MA! Visit my Performance Calendar for more details.

I’ll be covering the event for the Knick Ledger and might try to write a feature piece to shop around. Time constraints may prevent me from following through on that threat.

——————-

5 Guys Fighting Presents the Areas Second Full Contact Mixed Martial Arts [...]]]> Below is the official press release from Five Guys Fighting.

I’ll be covering the event for the Knick Ledger and might try to write a feature piece to shop around. Time constraints may prevent me from following through on that threat.

——————-

5 Guys Fighting Presents the Areas Second Full Contact Mixed Martial Arts Event

Contact: Shannon Miller5 Guys FightingCagewarsny.com 5guysfighting@gmail.com

Press Release

5 Guys Fighting and Cage Wars Ny Present Their Second Full Contact Mixed Martial Arts Event

Weigh ins open to the public and media tonight 10/25 at 6:30pm at Legion training facility located at 1208 route 146 Clifton Park Ny.

5 Guys fighting is proud to announce Cage Wars 14 the Capital Districts second amateur Mixed Martial Arts event.  Amateur athletes from around the northeast are scheduled to compete on Friday October 26th at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Albany. This will be the areas second fully sanctioned full contact fighting contest.  All the fight night action will follow similar rules and procedures as popular professional leagues such as the UFC, PRIDE, and IFL.  This event will be a followup of the highly successful and groundbreaking event held on August 11th of this year in which 5 guys fighting became the first promoter to hold a amateur MMA event in Albany.

Cage Wars 14 will feature contestants skilled in boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, ju-jitsu, and a number of other martial forms.  Contests will be held in a octagon and feature 3, 3 minute rounds. Our current fight card will include 3 Cage Wars championships. Sponsors for this event include Legion Training Center, Extreme Striker, New York Boxing and Atlas Jiu Jitsu.

Formed by Professional Boxer Shannon Miller and partners, 5 Guys Fighting has consistently worked to advance the cause of Mixed Martial Arts in the state of New York.  5 Guys Fighting has currently held 13 competitive martial arts events in venues around the Capital District and Western New York. We have conducted in excess of 140 individual fights and represent over 300 fighters from a number of gyms and schools.  As the areas premiere competitive martial arts promoter we offer an opportunity for fighters to compete locally for fans, friends and family at the highest levels with the largest crowds.

Doors open for the show at 7pm with fights starting at 8pm.

Please E-mail requests for additional information on rules, sanctioning, press conference, and access to the fighters to 5guysfighting@gmail.com

“LAUGHS FOR LOVED ONES” RAISING FUNDS, AWARENESS FOR ALZHEIMER’S
Local stand-up comics join forces to raise funds for [...]]]>

Contact: Kevin Marshall                                                          FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Phone: xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Email: xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

“LAUGHS FOR LOVED ONES” RAISING FUNDS, AWARENESS FOR ALZHEIMER’S
Local stand-up comics join forces to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Association of North Eastern New York at Waterworks Pub on November 9th

The area’s best stand-up comedians will join forces for a one-time event to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association of North Eastern New York.

Laughs for Loved Ones will be held on Friday, November 9^th at the Waterworks Comedy Lounge (76 Central Ave., Albany). The show starts at 9pm with doors opening at 8:30pm. The cost for the event is $10 with all proceeds going directly to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Headlining the event are crowd favorites Jaye McBride and Ethan Ullman. Jaye has been seen literally coast to coast, from the Laugh Factory and Comedy Store in LA to Caroline’s in New York City. Locally, she serves as the co-host and co-producer of the monthly Laughs on Lark showcase, which occurs on the second Wednesday of every month at Elda’s on Lark in Albany, NY. Ethan is the host of Alternative to Sleeping, a weekly comedy program that can be heard on WCDB 90.9FM and alt2sleep.com, and has  opened for Todd Barry, Brian Posehn, and Doug Stanhope, among others.

Other local comics on the lineup include Kevin Marshall, Mo Haskins, Kristin VanSteemburg, Luke Donovan, and Shawn Gillie.

The event is being organized by Kevin Marshall. Waterworks Pub is providing the facility for the event free of charge.

The Alzheimer’s Association of Northeastern New York seeks to advances research, provides and enhances care and support for those stricken with the disease and their loved ones, and seeks to reduce the risks associated with dementia through the promotion of brain health. More information is available at their website: http://www.alz.org/northeasternny/.

###

For more information, please contact Kevin Marshall at deputymarshall@gmail.com or call 518.892.0577.