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Comedian Paul Schissler explores the unseen side of the comedian's life in response to Ecclesiastes 4:13-16.
Ecclesiastes 4:13-16
A Comedian's Bedtime Story
By
Paul Schissler
Credits:
Written and Read by Paul Schissler
Curated by:
Michael Markham
2017
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There’s a side to comedy that the audience doesn’t see. A side that’s not filled with laughter. So often people question what it’s like being a comedian -– how hard it is, what’s the motivation, what’s the goal? You work obsessively on something that results in mostly failures, setbacks and self-doubts. It’s incredibly lucky to “make it” in comedy, and often feels futile. Like chasing the wind. This bedtime story is an honest look at the roller coaster feelings inside a comedian -– hope, determination, joy, self-doubt, hopelessness.
Spark Notes
The Artist's Reflection
Paul Schissler is a NYC comedian and co-founder of Comedywire.com. Paul’s been part of the NY Comedy Festival and seen on The Steve Harvey.
Paul Schissler
About the Artist
Paul Schissler
Other Works By
Related Information
A troubled young boy was looking for joy and so he laughed. When he laughed at mean comments and poked fun of himself-- he escaped the heartache, the teasing, the toils.
A Comedian's Bedtime Story
By Paul Schissler
A troubled young boy was looking for joy and so he laughed. When he laughed at mean comments and poked fun of himself-- he escaped the heartache, the teasing, the toils. He was in charge.
The pain he had, created laughter. Laughter had conquered his pain.
This young boy loved the thrill of making others laugh. It made them feel good and so for him too. A win-win.
When there was conflict, he delivered a joke. Upon seeing tears, he would do a funny dance. Anger? He huffed and puffed and made funny faces.
Humor was his sword. The more laughter he made, the more they wanted to be around him. Laughter was contagious for all.
"Give us more laughter, do your faces and dance," he heard more and more.
And that 's what he did. He grabbed a microphone and stood in front of a light, that way eve more could experience him and delight. They told their friends and their friends told theirs. Soon a great big audience was laughing, all just for him.
The troubled young boy had become a man of great jokes‚ repeated and loved by people, filling their hearts. Bigger stages, brighter lights, illuminated his laughs; it attracted more people and inspired others to take part.
One unhappy girl, in the crowd that was laughing, found joy in these jokes. She saw visions of grandeur and wanted a stage of her own-- bright lights and a microphone. Then all of the happiness, praise and laughs, would be all her own to have when she wants.
She wrote her own jokes, and it made others happy. "Tell us some more," people cheered after her shows. Her laughter was new, her jokes were exciting, and people were tired of watching the old troubled man night after night.
"We like the new laughs and the way she makes us feel. She will be our new laugh giver who gives us a thrill."
The man of great jokes stepped off of his stage; he believed in his laughter no more and was filled only with rage. Though older now, the troubled young boy was still inside. He had never escaped, he was always just along for the ride.
"What was the point if only to be forgotten? Chasing the laughter but now it 's all gone."
The troubled old man took his place in the crowd. He smiled outside but had no joy in his heart. The people around him were laughing as one.
Down by his side a boy grabbed his arm.
"Mister, one day all these laughs will be mine, I 'll have a stage, lights and a microphone to make me shine."
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A troubled young boy was looking for joy and so he laughed. When he laughed at mean comments and poked fun of himself-- he escaped the heartache, the teasing, the toils.
