“No seriously!”

That was a tag-line I used back in my stand-up days.  I would make an outlandish statement and then, as if to make it funnier, I would say, “No, Seriously!”  Pause, delay, “you’re right, I’m just kidding.   That’s my job!”

Back in the 1980’s I cut my teeth as a stand-up comic at Charm City Comedy Club with the likes of Dan Rosen (Writer and Producer of major motion pictures; “Dead Man’s Curve!”, “The Last Supper”), and Warren Hutcherson (Executive Producer of the Bernie Mac Show) were in my wedding;  FOX Television Entertainment reporter Bill McCuddy and I used to compete in talent competitions (he always won!).

It was my distinct pleasure to know a young Jeff Caldwell  (www.Standupguy.com) back in the day when he was more of a Hopkins Grad-student than “America’s Best Touring Comic” in the words of, yes, David Letterman.  

Back then Leno and Letterman were household names only in the tight knit community of fellow comics.

One day we were speaking about their respective career’s when a fellow-comic, a man who knew them both well, said, “talent is one thing but when it comes to being famous you can go pretty far by just NOT being a jerk!  That’s why we all keep each other in check.”

For my “Get Out of Bed and Go to Work!” fans, you know that GOOBERSism #1 is, “you must know what time it is!”  In live lecture’s I go on to offer some hilarious examples of how easy it is to lose track of where we are in life and to know, truly, what time it is. 

I then suggest that we must immerse ourselves in relationships and surround ourselves with people who will keep track of the time and keep us on schedule.

In 1980 during “senior week” I stayed at the Ocean with some buddies.  We were all trying to meet girls.  I was easily the youngest looking in the bunch.  I met a real cutie on the beach.  We spent the day sunbathing and swimming; we walked on the boardwalk and held hands that night.  I gave her a peck on the cheek and we planned to meet the next day and do it all again.

The next day came and we met; I found out she was a very mature looking 15-years old.  I was mortified!  My buddies all called me a “cradle robber” etc…  They were keeping me in check (telling me what time it was) reminding me that young girls are to be protected NOT preyed upon.  The amazing thing is that I WAS ONLY 17 AT THE TIME!

In the name of comedy you must first obey the rules of decorum.  A laugh is not an excuse for poor taste.   David Letterman; you must know what time it is!  And if you don’t; you need people to tell you!

“No, Seriously!”  Pause, delay…. NO JOKE!

* * *

Lon Kieffer, author of “Get Out of Bed and Go to Work!”, Speaker, Consultant, Executive Recruiter and Expert on Workplace Culture Change and Generational Conflicts, gives seminars, keynote and plenary addresses, runs annual sales meetings, and provides Common Sense Consulting at:  www.LonKieffer.com. He can be reached at:  (302) 462-6748 or via email at:  Lon@LonKieffer.com