Is it ever okay to call a dude out for stealing material?

[James Smann]

So there's this dude that hosts an open mic and performs regularly on bills with us locally...and it should be mentioned that he does rub me the wrong way anyway because he's one of those guys that preaches the "rules" of standup and is arrogant and kind of a douche...anyway, we have verified proof that he's stealing material from Louis CK and passing it off as his own.

My partner's wife was suspicious when she saw his act the first time, researched and found the exact bit(s) of Louis' that this dude has been ganking. This really, really angers me because there's nothing more hacky and lame than stealing material, directly. Not even like veiling it in a different wording...and also because I really love Louis CK...

So what's the best way to handle? Pull him aside and quietly tell him his stuff sounds an awful lot like Louis' material? Tear him apart on stage after we follow him? Punch him in the face? Is it our place to call him out even?

HalP?

[JuanCarlos]

Eh, I'd think the only person he's hurting by stealing material is himself, when people see Louie on tv doing his stuff, they won't think he went to whatever dives he plays to steal from this genius.

[scamboogah]

To this thread:



YOU'RE DEAD. WE KILLED YOU!!!

[James Smann]

To this thread:

YOU'RE DEAD. WE KILLED YOU!!!

I'm sorry...was this a hot topic before or something? I was really trying to figure out if I just need to get over it, or if it's some kind of responsibility of mine to say something to this guy. Like I said though, I'm really sorry if this thread sucks.

[scamboogah]

I think the original version of this got lost in the fire anyway, so it's alright.

Of course someone should tell him, but telling him doesn't mean you have to accuse him of anything or 'call him out'. Just say that it's probably parallel thought, but you're pretty sure that you heard Louis CK do the same bit. If he gets defensive, I wouldn't bother fighting him on it. He knows that people are on to him, and if he has any integrity, he'll stop. And if he doesn't, stay on his good side for when he gets his own tv show...

[James Smann]

I appreciate the responses guys. In my younger days I would've just called him out on it, angrily and with some serious intent too. So I'm glad I have a place to sound these ideas/quandries off of when I start to get angry. I just get offended because as someone who's tried for the last 10+ years to cultivate something original that's also funny I know how hard it is (mainly because after 10+ yearsI'm still unknown and arguably, ostensibly, semi-funny) and for someone to try to take the easy road by stealing what I know it took someone else real effort to craft? Just makes my blood boil, and it shits on all the work we all do...

But Scammy and Juan you guys are 100% right. It really does just reflect poorly on him. And I will definitely be taking the "Hey, this is probably a parallel thought, but I'm pretty sure I've heard Louis CK..." approach...that way I can satisfy my need to vocalize how much of a material-stealing dickhead this guy is, and also not get a reputation as the Material Police as well.

[Rob Delaney]

Who do you think you are, Joe Rogan? I've read a couple of interviews where Louis CK says it's ok to use his material if you can't think up anything on your own. Other comedians who've said the same thing include Jen Kirkman, Emo Phillips, & the late, great Bernie Mac. As I understand it, they feel jokes are like hammers or bits of chicken meat that don't really "belong" to anyone & can be used by anyone, in any situation, unless you're Latino or Asian, in which case your wacky mom should provide you with enough "material".

[James Smann]

No, I don't think of myself as a Joe Rogan type crusader for Artistic Integrity. But I definitely hold myself to a standard of being as original as I can be in everything that I try to deem as worthy of the title "Comedy." If other comedians don't do so, that's 100% their prerogative and I don't begrudge them their right to be so free with their material. However, certainly only speaking for my own sensibilities, I really only respect those that no matter what the specific material is; they come to it from an honest and genuine original starting point. Of course two or two thousand or two million people can happen upon a new thought or perspective or take on something at the same time; but clear and obvious plagarism is where I draw the ethical line in the sand...call me crazy.

[Rob Delaney]

I don't think you're Joe Rogan... I mean I hope you're not. More than one Joe Rogan would be terrifying. You seem like a nice, thoughtful guy, which is something that I am not. Best, Carlos Mencia.

[James Smann]

I don't think you're Joe Rogan... I mean I hope you're not. More than one Joe Rogan would be terrifying. You seem like a nice, thoughtful guy, which is something that I am not. Best, Carlos Mencia.

Ha ha ha. Thanks, I think? *EMOTOCON*

[ErikNielsen]

Is it disrupting the shows you're performing with him on? Because yeah, normally I'd say this needs to be handled behind the scenes. But I've done shows in the past -- okay, one show -- where a significant percentage of the audience obviously KNEW that the guy (the host, no less) was stealing the joke, and it had to be brought up. (Relatively discreetly, but still.)

Generally, though, I'd say this has to be dealt with somehow... in as discreet and non-confrontational a fashion as possible, of course. And if other comics know, try to get them in on it for support, so it doesn't turn confrontational. But if a guy like that is around, he's making everyone on the shows he does look bad by association.

(Please tell me it's not the "Shitty-Ass Pet Fuckers" bit.)

[James Smann]

It's the Ossum Possum bit and then one other bit that escapes me right now because I'm tired...Anyway, I agree that it should be addressed, and I'm going to do so as discretely as possible out of benefit of the doubt purposes. It really does offend me and several others, I just think none of us have found a way to bring it up without just being outright accusatory.

[pixel revolt]

Like most things in life, you'll find that if you are patient enough some other dude will come along and call him out for you and you can reap the reward of seeing this guy shamed without getting your own comic paws dirty.

[scottbox]

I wouldn't have a problem with discreetly calling this guy out in a subtle manner. The guy is just plain LAZY, if nothing else. Furthermore, I wouldn't worry about any resultant awkwardness that might ensue between you two afterward- it's his problem, not yours.

Besides, if you don't like awkwardness, you shouldn't be in comedy.

[James Smann]

pixel - Unfortunately that's just not my style...If something gets under my skin, I tend to have to deal with it or I just end up just going off.

scott -good point about awkwardness! I think I have no choice but to pull him aside next time he's on a bill with us and just let him know that I'm onto him, and that I think it's really not cool. What if I did this?

"Hey you should check out Louis' CK's bit on _____, it's really up your alley!"

[aenemaTron]

This comic sounds ossum.

[James Smann]

This comic sounds ossum.

I see what you did there!

[scamboogah]

Like most things in life, you'll find that if you are patient enough some other dude will come along and call him out for you and you can reap the reward of seeing this guy shamed without getting your own comic paws dirty.

They came for the joke thief, and I said nothing....

[Kon Darp]

What if I did this?

"Hey you should check out Louis' CK's bit on _____, it's really up your alley!"

What happened to:

"Hey, this is probably a parallel thought, but I'm pretty sure I've heard Louis CK..."

That's perfect because it gives everyone an out. Lets him stop doing the bit on his own accord, and it lets you be a good guy rather than confrontational. Everyone wins.

Hell, I wouldn't even mention Louis by name. Just "A pretty established comedian, I forget his name...but he had a similar bit"

Unless you want to call him out as a joke stealer. In which case do whatever, but I always err on the side of giving everyone an out. Just be sure that he's actually a cocksucker and not just a guy who needs more material and thought no one would notice. If it's just one joke then he's probably not that bad a guy.

[James Smann]

Bridge-I agree that I should try to give him as much "benefit of the doubt" as I can muster, because maybe he doesn't know any better, or whatever. I'm more sad for him than angry now, after seeing everyone's response. I think we all agree that this kind of behavior is something that probably happens a lot and while it's not right, it's almost better to let him expose himself as a plagarist than to be the crusader for comedic integrity.

We're doing a gig this Saturday night, and this other comic is often on the bill. If I hear him doing that bit again, I'm definitely going to make him aware that I know what he's doing, but I'll try to be as gentle as possible.