About the Genius

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Seattle, WA, United States
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Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Change is Here!

Change has come my friends and you (maybe) were a part of it. That's right, yesterday, Brian Boshes was awarded the best comedy host in Seattle by the Seattle Comedy Blog, the CLOG. This was all because of you! All of those people that don't even live in Seattle, and those that have never seen me host, you still voted, and made this dream a reality. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Unfortunately, this long and arduous campaign has drained the coffers of the "Elect Brian Boshes for a Needless Award Fund" and needs to be rebuilt. You called for change, now be part of the solution. Donate as little as $25 to receive your very own business card with a picture of the 2008 Best Comedy Host on the back. Click here to donate today.

Thank you once again. Change is here today, starting Jan 5th!

Your friend and leader,
Brian Boshes
2008 Best Comedy Host in Seattle!

Monday, December 15, 2008

Beaverton, OR: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Stripclubs

I'm back from Beaverton! First away gig outside of Washington(if you ignore my trip to NYC and DC). Ok, first PAID away gig outside of Washington. I got to stay in a real hotel, the Shiloh Inn Beaverton. Excellent place for $68 dollars a night. They've got a sports lounge, cigar bar, continental breakfast (which I never was up early enough to eat), jacuzzi, fitness center. I didn't use ANY of these things while I was there mind you, but they were available. The only downsides was anything white and linen in the room smelled horribly of chlorine bleach, and I could hear if the guy 14 doors down turned on his TV cause the walls were just that good.

The shows themselves where a learning experience to say the least. I learned the following things this weekend:
  • Do not tell jokes that are localized to Seattle outside of Seattle. At the very least, try to localize the punchline to where you are or tell a different punch line that doesn't care about road or casino names.
  • Never make fun of the local bar where everyone hangs out, even if everyone in there is really disgusting and crazy from your point of view. No one cares about your point of view, unless it's written material.
  • Even if the punch line isn't remotely racist, people in both Kirkland and now Beaverton are proven not to laugh if the words "black people" come at the end of a joke.
  • People in Oregon think strip club jokes are funny.
So more on this last point. I used to hate strip clubs. Emphasis on the used (just in case you couldn't see the bolded part). Really, its true. My first two trips to strip clubs have been terrible and scary. I went with people that had no idea what they were doing to places that catter to people having no clue what they are doing. Two wrongs make a horrifying, potentially scaring situation. Solution, go with people that know what they are doing to places that are awesome. Enter my friend (name suppressed on purpose) and the Dolphin II (a place not a person).

I did not want to go, not one bit. The part of me that has gotten totally fucked over by visits one and two to these kinds of places was screaming, "get the fuck out of the car and walk back to the Shiloh!" My friend turns to me, explains the pros to visiting an establishment such as the Dolphin II. I wasn't going to get hustled. I could pay my cover, get one drink and sit and no one would bother me if that's what I wanted. Sounded like a fair deal. I was calmed a bit. I went in. I got a drink, but was still incredibly nervous. Went to the bathroom. They had a bathroom attendant that looked straight out of "Fantasy Island". Ok this is getting better. Wait a second, the girls here are really attractive, and I get to pick where I sit, and, holy crap, this drink is delicious and was decently priced. Where the fuck am I? Beaverton Oregon mutha fucka!

Once seated, my friend turns to me and says, "Ok, you don't have to use these, but when you are ready, mosey up to the pit (where the ladies were dancing) and place a couple of these on the edge like that guy is doing if you want them to dance near you", and hands me a stack of 10 ones. Needless to say, I went through the stack of 10 ones, and a bunch more ones, and a couple $20s. I bought a lap dance from a lady named "Silk". She rubbed the crap out of my hair and it was awesome. She also said I looked like John Lennon. Ladies, take note. My friends bought me a second dance from a stripper named "Jordan". Jordan complimented me on how good I smelled. In reality she, whether she knew it or not, was actually complimenting Silk on her use of perfume and Juicy Fruit since that is what she was probably smelling on me.

In the end, I ended up checking into my hotel at 3am. Thankfully there was somebody there. THAT would have sucked. He was like, "you with the comedy show?" Heh, how did you know? The rest of the weekend was excellent. Had some great times with all of my Portland area friends, some good breakfast foods, and almost got snowed in for a couple of days. Good thing I have chains for the VW Rabbit. I can't wait to go back and visit Portland, and the ladies at the Dolphin II.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

A Sci-Fi classic for the holidays

So I've been sick for the last couple of days, which has left me bed, or should I say, couch-riden throughout the day. I mean I can only work on my model boat for so many hours in a day. Regardless, I have been scouring my favorite online media site, hulu.com, for a movie to watch and I came across something I haven't seen in at least a couple of years, and never in its entirety. What was this movie friends, why, "Starship Troopers"!

First of all, if you have seen the movie, and haven't read the book, read the book. I know people always say that, but it will really give you a greater respect for what a colossal fuck up job someone did converting that book into its feature film debut. So right now, stop reading this blog entry and go order the book (by Robert A. Heinlein) from Amazon.com. Its $8 and well worth it.

So we'll get the "why the book is better than the movie" out of the way first. Diz, who is played by Dina Meyer in the movie, is a guy in the book and dies in the first 5 pages. Not that the redheaded female in the movie isn't amazingly attractive and bad-girl bonable, but its fun to know that the character what basically invented for that very reason, as there is basically nothing that character is based on (more on her later). There is an entire race of people introduced in the book that's not in the movie, which is almost a, "why the movie is better" as their inclusion in the book makes little sense. But seriously, the one thing they lost out on was the armor. My friend and I have had various back and forths on this. In the book the armor makes each mobile infantry solider a walking tank with a jet pack. They can scale buildings and have integrated computer infrastructure. What did the movie get? Nerf toys! They took the helmets from the football game in the first scene and painted them black. No wonder the bugs ripped them to pieces. Oh and does anyone else think that Halo's Master Chief is basically using the same gun from this movie? Side note, the book also has an infantry division, the K-9 division in the book, with TALKING DOGS! Hollywood apparently does not think we are ready for talking dogs (except for Dani DeVito in "Look Who's Talking Now" and about 7 Disney movies). Come-on, we could have handled it, and it would have been great! You and me pup, lets go kick some bug ass...

Ok, deep breath, that's over with. Seriously, read the book, watch the movie again.

The movie is an amazing watch though, especially through the "I know this is going to be crap" glasses. The cast is actually pretty great for this one. Already formentioned, the amazing redhead. Added to that we've got Denise Richard, sneaking this movie in right before everyone's favorite lesbian pool scene "Wild Things". Her and the redhead would have made a better pool scene. There's Doogy Houser (aka NPH), making one of his very rare appearances between childhood doctor and the new sing along blog everyone is freaking out about (including your's truely). Michael Ironside, which he should have just used as his name in the movie, as a robotic armed leader named Rasczak. The star, Casper Van Dean, apparently has done many things since "Starship Troopers" says IMDB, none that I have seen.


As this is already getting to be sort of a long entry I'll dive right into the highlights of this great film. First of all, since its a B sci fi movie, we've got to have some nudity. Its almost as if the director was saying, this is where I would start to lose interest, lets show a tit. That's basically what it comes down to. They could have done a better job spreading it around though, you get all your boobies in one fail swoop in the boot camp shower seen. Don't get me wrong, they were all faboulous sets of boobies (and thanks to Hulu, I could pause for each one), and male tooshies for the ladies (which I also paused for), but there were definitely points where I could have used a nipple later in this film. They almost try for one when there is a tent sex scene, but the directors also realized that this movie had to end in a decent amount of time, so we as the viewer are only left to wonder if Diz is a top or a bottom.

The second amazing thing in this movie, which I missed the first time, is when a flying bug is rectally violating a trooper with its giant pointy member thing. Rasczak picks up a gun, zooms in (where we are offered a better view of the bug-man anal rape scene), and shoots the guy, exclaiming, "And I expect you to do the same to me." Classic! Since this is a B-movie, I'll spoil it and let you know, someone does have to do the same to him, but we don't get to see the violation that he is undergoing at the time (but you know its there).

Number three, Rico, the handsome but dumb star of our saga, is being pined over by two gorgious women throughout this movie. I'm pretty sure he gets to do both of them, although its only alluded to with Denise's character. Conveniently, the night after fucking the crazier of the two (Diz, the redhead), she dies. Remember Diz from the book? He died too, so this is where the book and the movie sync up. Welcome to page 5. Doogy Houser does not get laid in this movie because his character is gay. I'm pretty sure that character was not in the book, I don't know why he is here. Seriously. He is supposed to be the smartest of the bunch, but his dialog is just as bad.

I don't even have time to go into all the awesome one liners that could be generated from viewing this film, so I'll leave that up to you as homework. Although the book numbered only the single iteration, as film viewers we are blessed with Starship Troopers II & III. Amazon tells me that Casper Van Dien, the original Rico, is in the third one, so that seems promising. I always love it when they get the orginal B actors for the B movie sequel. These went straight to video (I hope), but you can buy the entire trilogy in Blue Ray! Oh happy day! If I had a TV, and a blue ray player, this would so be on my Christmas list.

Monday, December 8, 2008

I'm a terrible blogger...

I know, I know. I should be better at this. I just feel so guilty updating this thing at work, and then when I'm home from work, the last thing I want to do is get back on and continue typing away. Regardless, one of my New Year's resolutions is to write more. Blogs, scripts, funny stories. I will take a writing class in the spring.

I've been sick for the past 3 days, which means I've gotten more sleep this weekend then I think I got the whole previous week combined. The previous statement is probably more of a testament to why I got sick in the first place. Still my joke about me being sick looking like I've masturbated in every room of my house is ringing true once again (for proof that this joke exists, watch my clips at brianboshes.com). I'm currently quarentined myself in my 1 bedroom and have so far cooked a nice helping of bread pudding, squash, and continued to work on the model boat that will never be finished.

In the comedy front since I've last posted, things have taken off. I've started featuring, which means that somehow I've collected enough material to do 30 minutes straight. Its a great feeling and I love doing the feature spot, although there will still be a place in my heart for hosting. I have my first away gig next week in Beaverton, Oregon. I'm getting paid and they're putting me up in a hotel and everything. Its like I'm semifamous. I've got a crap-ton of gigs through the holiday season and I've been booked as a feature in Kirkland again for Valnetines day and again in March, so my spring is looking to get full up as well. I hope to visit my friends and the other comedy markers of SF and LA in the early spring. I'm hoping SF in late Feb and LA in late March/early April. I'm looking to get some real gigs down there in addition, so I'll have a "reason" that isn't just hanging out with awesome people who I miss way too much.

Ok, I'll let you know how the Beaverton gig goes soon. Tomorrow night is the Jewish Youth Federation non profit comedy show. Let's see if I can't find my future wife, or at least future make out buddy at the show?

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Bumbershoot Weekend

Bumbershoot has come and gone; it was a great Labor day. The Fresh Faces show was amazing. In fact, all the shows that day were amazing over at the Comedy West stage. All the shows were booked by the People’s Republic of Komedy (aka PROK) and each lineup was awesome. In fact, all the shows were standing room only, so we were performing for around 200 people at 1:15 in the afternoon, that’s pretty good.

Everyone’s sets were great. Yours truly closed out the show doing the best A-list jokes I could think of with a couple never before told tags to keep things interesting. My writing buddy, James Parkinson, was very upset cause the new tags destroyed. I had so much fun on stage I started laughing at my own jokes. James taped it and Kevin from PROK got an amazing audio feed off the mixing board, both of which I hope to get my hands on in the coming weeks. Afterwards, all the Fresh Face performers did a video blog entry about our show for the Stranger (Seattle’s independent newspaper) and I got to plug my upcoming feature performance at Laughs next month.

Thanks to all that came out to see the show. Sorry if you came out and couldn’t get in.

I’m hosting this weekend in Kirkland for Brian Dunkleman, and I’ll be at Laff Hole @ the Rebar in Seattle on the 17th.

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Summer headshot

My parents came up and visited this weekend. Unfortunatly for my comedy, I love my parents and we have a very functional relationship together. They don’t understand where my need to perform on stage comes from, but what they can understand is our shared love for all things fermented, but not distilled, so basically beer and wine. On saturday, we made like any upper middle class white family with kids over 21 and visited the great warehouse wineries of Woodinville, Washington. Six wineries later we ended up at Redhook brewery and captured this picture which looks strangly like a version of my bearded self 4 months ago (see “Images” section).

I think I’m doing a pretty good job holding it together in my sunglass that I think were stolen from my couisn’s Bat Mitzvah. I need sunglasses like 17 days out of the year here, and I usually loose things like that, so I haven’t invested in a decent pair. My parents and I shared some nachos, which were of course, the best nachos we had ever had, but that could have been the 6 wine tastings and a pint of beer talking. On the way out, my parents attempted to buy me a hat…

Ya I didn’t end up getting a hat, and my Dad still wonders why I insist on making faces like this when he tries to take a picture of me sometimes. After a long family dinner at my grandfather’s condo, my parents saw me do standup for the first time live at Laughs Comedy Spot in Kirkland. They then promply passed out from the long day and I had to drive them home. Thanks Mom and Dad for the awesome weekend and all the support!

Its no FAJÄRKKEN

This is what my friend Max sent me after his last trip to “The Ikea”…

I’m glad that my comedy is ringing true for some people :-)

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Why I love hosting

Last night I hosted for the stand-up troupe, “Stand-up and Deliver” at Laughs Comedy Spot in Kirkland. The members of that troupe are all very nice people and pretty good comics. That being said, I totally shit on everyone’s introductions from the get-go. I called a guy by the wrong name, forgot one of their last names, and called a Mrs. a Mr. That being said, it became this great running gag and the comic agility that I’ve been working so hard to get good at meant that I never really lost the crowd. So ya, it was a great show, and on of the reasons I love hosting.

That being said, I have a lot of non-hosting gigs coming up next month. Check out my MySpace page right now for a complete listing of performances. Coming up next week is Bumbershoot, which I’m getting more and more excited about performing at. It will be a chance to introduce what a do to a whole new slew of people.

Other notables this week: I wrote down 3 new premises that I’m looking forward to trying out next week at the open mics. This weeks open mic, my friend Jeff and his family and friends paid a visit to the Owl & Thistle. For their efforts, Jeff left with a slashed tire…

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Booked as a Feature

Yes friends, the time has come when Brian moves up from a host to the coveted next role of “feature”. Its like I’m leveling up in some MMORPG, but its in real life and almost as nerdy. Basically, it means I’m going to be doing all my best material, almost 30 mins worth. The definition of best will be determined on how close I am to having 30 mins by the time I have to do this. Here are the tentative details:

Laughs Comedy Spot (12099 124th Ave NE, Kirkland, WA 98034)

October 24th & 25th, 8 & 10pm shows. There is a special preview show on Thursday the 23rd as well.

I’m doing two shows each night, plus the one on Thursday, so I’ll be doing a more than two hours of comedy that weekend. On the 19th I will be turning 25, my quarter century birthday. So this could be an awesome birthday present, or a reason to quit comedy. You won’t know unless you check it out. I’ll probably have a new clip come out of this weekend so if you’re not in Seattle, check back here after to see something.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Bite of Seattle

This weekend I hosted the “Bite of Seattle”, hosted by Comcast. I must have said that phrase a million times. This was my first big hosting gig outside of a comedy club, so that experience alone was worth it. I got to introduce some great headliners over the weekend. Some of the notables that performed included:

  • Brad Upton
  • Geoff Lott
  • Joe Vespaziani
  • Andy Peters
  • Jack Mayberry
  • Rod Long
  • Marc Yaffee
  • Vince Valenzuela
  • Dax Jordan

What a list I know. And it was all for free! We had people staying the whole day. I think we handed out like 500 free passes to the Mainstage and Laughs Comedy Spot.

I was really shaky the first day, but by the end of the weekend I was flying through the intros. Sunday we had a special treat, the “Las Chica Cazadores”. I couldn’t say it because I’m very white and very Jewish. The lovely ladies travel around the country promoting Cazadores tequila with their amazing tequila tasting talent (read: amazing bodies and voices). I got to introduce and take them off stage, there was some touching, and a lot of douchebags in the audience who were jealous I’m sure (I know of at least one). My favorite line this weekend was after the ladies left the stage going, “I’m sure a lot of you guys had to turn to your wives right now and go, ‘I didn’t know, they said it was going to to be comedy, oh well might as well stay.’”

I didn’t do much comedy at the hosting gig but it was a chance to watch a lot of great comedians work and talk to them about the life of a comedian. I got paid too which helps. Ready for a new week and I have a lot of new material that I can’t wait to try out on stage.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Bremerton, WA: Thanks for the laughs…

Last night I had one of my first “road gigs” out to Bremerton, Washington. I want to say first road gig as it was the most time spent in the car to do comedy. One and a half hours there and the same back. It went fast due to the comedy stylings of Patton Oswald and his “222″ album. If you’ve never heard it, you must check it out. I cried laughing at one point, and I don’t think I’ve done that in a long time. I digress.

Bremerton was a great gig, over at the Cloverleaf Bar & Grill. Its in the Kmart parking lot in Bremerton, wherever that is, I wasn’t driving. Headlining was the great Peter Grey, who will be headlining at Laugh’s Comedy Spot July 5th. I’ve never actually watched him do more than an open mic set, so it was great to watch him really stretch out and be hilarious. One the way home, we “talked shop” about the comedy scene in Seattle and the next steps for my career. I look forward to working with him and all the other Seattle greats in the coming months (ie, comedy greats, take me with you to gigs please).

I probably need a haircut, but until then, like the awesome entertainer that I am, I will continue to make it a part of my act until that happens. No big gigs on the horizon yet for any of my adoring fan, but I’ll be sure to let you know when that happens.