Funny Guy!!

Saturday was a great day to be at Lindenwood University. Those who took part know what I’m talking about. For those who don’t know anything that I am speaking of let me explain it to you. I had the great pleasure of meeting a very funny writer by the name of Chris Cluess. He was absolutely hilarious. I think it is a shame that we watch all of these funny sketches on television and really never know who wrote them. As a matter of fact you almost think that the actors wrote them because of such a wonderful ability to act the part so perfectly. Chris is just one of many writers out there who should get some extra recognition for all of the hard work he puts into his job.





He mentioned that he writes for himself. He doesn’t write for the audience, but for himself. I find this idea a little bit different than normal media. Media in general is written for the audience and thrives on the needs of the audience. Comedy is different because as long as you laugh, then the writers have done what they set out to do. He illustrated comedy by picking an audience member and putting him at the butt of a very stale joke. The point of the fact was that by doing something as simple as making an oblivious person look dumb, comedy is achieved. What a dream job of making others laugh. The fact was that it was great!







Comedy is written by writers who only care if it is funny to them. Chris pointed out that his starting in comedy business was by chance and that he was just in the right place at the right time. His career started when one night he by chance ran into Danny Akroid. The story kept me at attention for the fact that Dan Akroid was one of my favorite Saturday Night Live actors. Mr. Cluess continued by telling the audience how he approached Dan. He said “Stop, I’m not gonna hurt you.” What it sounded like to Dan Ackroid was, “Stop, I’m going to hurt you.” Imagine the reaction from a man who heard that. It was these small stories that kept me listening as well as some of Chris’ sketches that we viewed off of YouTube. Mr. Cluess has worked as producer for a few sitcoms as well a sketch writer for MadTV. The media that we viewed was pretty funny. It ranged from a Viagra commercial to a fake cooking show to a missed Christmas comedy skit. Oh wait, I just want to say that what we call skits, writers call sketches. This was also pointed out to the audience, as well as some randomness that could put a smile on anyone’s face.

Walking in to the Black Box Theatre, I didn’t know what to expect. I was a little bit sad that more people did not show up, but to those who didn’t come, I want to say that opportunities that come like this one did, take it. I learned a lot about the comedy industry that I couldn’t have learned anywhere else. First hand is the best. Mr. Cluess, if you read this blog, I just want to thank you for taking your time to talk to Lindenwood University!