"Blame" the Comic- Nationally Televised Comedian ...
Three comedians are on the show talking about their concerns over Dave Chappelle’s recent attack at a comedy festival. Our guests suggest Will Smith’s infamous Oscars slap has given hecklers motivation to walk on stages and assault performers. They also think comedy venues should be more responsible with these kind of incidents and provide security.
Press
(Fox26Houston) - Comedians concerned following attack on Dave Chappelle
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Three comedians are on the show talking about their concerns over Dave Chappelle’s recent attack at a comedy festival. Our guests suggest Will Smith’s infamous Oscars slap has given hecklers motivation to walk on stages and assault performers. They also think comedy venues should be more responsible with these kind of incidents and provide security.
(Channel 2 KPRC) - ‘Fair game, toxic masculinity and publicity stunts’: Houston’s ‘Blame the Comic’ talks about Oscars ‘slap’ between Will Smith, Chris Rock
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HOUSTON – A local comedian “Blame the Comic” knows first hand how it feels to be in the hot seat -- or on the hot stage -- that Chris Rock found himself on at Sunday night’s Academy Awards.
Mouths dropped, Twitter fingers began to fly and the internet was set afire after America’s favorite “gentleman” and funny guy -- Will Smith -- walked on stage and slapped Rock during what some call the biggest awards show in history. Afterward, he tearfully accepted an award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Venus and Serena Williams’ father in the movie “King Richard.” During his acceptance speech, he spoke about being a protector.
It appears that Smith was defending his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, from being the butt of one of Rock’s jokes, when the legendary comedian called Pinkett Smith “G.I. Jane.” What was troubling to many, is that Pinkett Smith has been publicly sharing the pain of losing her hair due to alopecia, a medical condition suffered by many African American women.
Two questions remain:
1. Was Rock out of line for making fun of a person’s medical condition?
2. Was Smith out of line for “physically” defending his wife, and more so, doing it live on stage?
Well, if you had to ask your grandmother, the phrase “keep your hands to yourself,” would probably be the first thing she’d say.
From the latest rise in gas prices to the “things Black mothers say,” Marion Stafford, also known as “Blame the Comic,” keeps the internet in stitches with his viral videos poking fun at hot topics. KPRC 2 spoke to the comedian, who admitted he was not watching the Oscars when the soon-to-be infamous “slap heard around the world” rang out but it didn’t take long for him to find out what was going on. First, his wife called and then his social media timeline started buzzing.
“I had to look at the video and see for myself what was going on and I was like, ‘eh, not buying it,’” he said. “If it is true, which I don’t believe it is, he was all the way wrong.”
Despite his beliefs on whether the incident was staged or not, Stafford says comics have rights.
“I feel like the comedy culture, in itself, is already under attack through “cancel culture” through the things that we can say as far as freedom of speech and I think this has kind of pushed the level a little far,” he said. “Even though Will Smith is a celebrity, now we are being attacked physically for the things that we say.”
Stafford says a line has clearly been crossed.
“This is too far, comedy should have a safe space. If a comedian can talk about himself with self-deprecating humor, I should be able to say things about other people and get the same fair treatment of laughs on the flip side of that coin.”
Stafford said that if what happened is true, in his opinion, it’s “just another push of toxic masculinity.”
“It goes back to when you were a child, people can say whatever they want to say about you as long as they don’t put their hands on you, that’s just the way it goes,” he said. “What other people’s opinions are about me, that’s not my business because I don’t live for other people. "
Stafford says striking others, especially on a national platform like the Oscars, pushes the narrative that it is OK to act this way and it is not.
“It is toxic, it is abusive, causes emotional distress,” he said. “Nobody wants to walk around and have to not be able to speak freely and second guess the things they want to say, feeling like they are going to offend somebody. Especially when you come to a place that is known for jokes, known for laughter, known for humor that is going to be a little taboo...but it is all in fun.”
So what about the people who say that, because Smith’s wife had a medical condition, she should not have been targeted? Not so fast, said Stafford, it is all fair in the name of comedy.
“I think when you live in your truth, the truth will find you. Everybody knows her story. She’s not the first person or woman to wear a bald head and she is not the last person to have a bald head,” Stafford said. “Things that are presented to the public are open for public opinion and things that are left behind closed doors are private. So everything is fair game when you are out in the public.”
Stafford feels it is disheartening for Rock and Smith, two titans in the entertainment world, to be entangled in such controversy.
“Chris Rock is an icon in this comedic community, and if he doesn’t have a safe space, then what about the rest of us?” he asked.
But back to his theory of it not appearing to be real, Stafford - in his own comedic way - shared his thoughts.
“If you get slapped appropriately or made contact with, your eye is going to water. Your ear is going to ring. You are going to recalibrate your jaw because that is pain, that is a ringing sensation,” he said. “A good slap will make you walk away and think about it. It might even bring those little gray lights.”
He says Rock didn’t appear to be shaken up enough, the camera angles were just “too perfect” and Smith’s hand was “just too flat.”
The comedian joked, “when you slap somebody, you are going to have just a little bit of cuff in your hand to get that contact that you want to feel.”
He went on to surmise, “Hey, this is the biggest platform for actors. Why wouldn’t it be believable? Will Smith is an A-rated actor. Chris Rock has hosted the Oscars several times; it’s all about ratings. This is a publicity stunt and I stand by it.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Nakia Cooper
Mother of two. Award-winning lover of digital storytelling, sparked by my fascination of being a fashionable gossip like my favorite "Willona Woods" character from "Good Times." On the serious side, president of the Houston Association of Black Journalists and dedicated community servant. Happy to share the news with you each and every day!
Houston Forward Times
Houston Forward Times were covering accomplished people from different high schools around the Houston area. The article featured people in there area of expertise, such as lawyers, rappers, and comedians just to name a few.
Houston Press (100 Creatives 2014)
Houston comedian Blame the Comic suggests going to a comedy club on a first date. "If you and a person can laugh together, it's a great night no matter where that relationship goes," he tells us. "If you can laugh at the same things, the rest of it should just fall in place, no matter if you end up just being friends or if you find the love of your life. And sitting in a comedy club, it's so much more laid back than going to dinner with someone where both of you feel like you're being interviewed for a job."
Blame, who is legally named Marion Stafford, got the first part of his stage name while still a kid. His grandfather would immediately blame the young Stafford whenever something turned up broken or missing. "One time I hadn't been over to his house for a couple of months and as soon as I got there, he was blaming me for something that had happened the week before. I was like, 'Hey, I wasn't even here when that happened.' But it didn't matter. He blamed me for everything."
Blame became Blame the Comic because Stafford takes responsibility for everything that happens at his shows. "If it was a bad show, blame the comic. If it's a good show, blame the comic. Whatever happens, blame the comic."
What He Does: Blame currently spends about 70 percent of his time performing standup routines on stage and 30 percent of his time making YouTube parody/comedy videos. He stays away from politics and current events in his routines: "I don't want people to say, 'Oh here's his joke on [whatever political situation] is current. Everybody has a joke on [that situation].' I don't want to do what everybody else is doing. I don't want to do jokes about the same things everybody else does and I don't want to do jokes the same way everybody else does. "
Blame says his comedy isn't character based. It's situational. "I look at life and I see jokes everywhere. My comedy mantra is everybody that I run in to writes for me, they just don't know it. If we're sitting down having a conversation and you say something funny, then that's the punchline. I just add something to the beginning and then work it in reverse when I get on stage. And that's a joke."
His approach means he has a relatively unstructured writing routine. "I let the comedy find me. I don't try to force it. If I make myself laugh, it's funny. Then all I have to do is deliver it to the people. I don't sit down and say, 'I wanna make a joke about this topic or that.' I'm just always open to making jokes. I find them everywhere."
Why He Likes It: Early on in his career, Blame won the Kings and Queens of Comedy competition. Part of his prize was getting to do a three-minute routine for which he was paid $1,000. "I never got a $1,000 check for doing three minutes of anything. Once I got that check, that was it. I was hooked. I know that if I stick with comedy, there's no salary cap for this. Right now, I get paid to party; I get paid to travel and meet exciting people and make people laugh. I spend my time drawing people into my foolishness and I love it. It's like a high when I come off stage."
What Inspires Him: "Real life inspires me. I'm not making things up, I'm just looking at life around me and taking the time to see the jokes in it.
"If I'm not doing comedy I feel like I'm in The Matrix, living half a life and not knowing what all is out there."
If Not This, Then What: "I've never thought of that, because I'm so caught up in what I'm doing right now but if I had to do something else, I would coach basketball maybe. Whatever I did, it wouldn't involve being inside four walls all day."
If Not Here, Then Where: "LA or New York is where you want to be in stand-up. That's where all the television and producers are. But there's no money to be made in LA stand-up-wise. You can see really great comics out there for $20 and a two drink minimum. There's no money in that. I might like to go to Atlanta. I like what's happening there in terms of television and films there."
What's Next: For the foreseeable future, Blame will continue touring and performing in comedy clubs. "My next goal is to continue to build an Internet presence through my YouTube videos. Hopefully something will go viral."
Houston Sun (Blame the Comic, get your laugh on
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“Blame the Comic” born Marion Stafford, is a hometown sensation making strides across the country with his humor. Raised in Houston, Blame said he always knew he had the gift to make people laugh. After completing a bachelors’ degree in Communications Media Production, at the University of Houston, Blame felt there was something more out there for him. While at a car dealership one day he ran into a comedian who recognized his talent for laugher. The fellow comic asked Blame to come out one evening and join him on stage.
Seizing the moment of amateur night, Blame grabbed the microphone, went on stage, and has not stopped since. Using stories of his childhood, current events and his quiet wit for Improv, Blame has turned what he thought were basic experiences into autobiographical satirical humor that depict life for today’s generation. “Richard Pryor was one of the greats and is legendary. I have much respect for his craft but I am drawn to the likes of Martin Lawrence, Jaime Foxx and David Spade,” he said.
Amid his talent for quick satirical ad-libbing, Blame is an impressive comedic writer of skit comedy and stand-up routine. His YouTube videos showcase some of his remarkable variations of comedy. Whatever technique is into play, it all goes back to his audience.
“When I perform, I am thoroughly in-tune with my audience. I want to give them the best. I remember seeing a lady in the audience who had recently come to a set I had just performed. My first thought was will she be receptive if I used some of my same material? Then, I thought she is back for more and undoubtedly enjoyed the first set. I guess it’s like hearing a good sermon twice,” he said.
Sharing the stage with various other talents such as Bill Bellamy and Nephew Tommy of the Steve Harvey Morning Show, Blame is quickly taking over co-hosting duties while on tour with Nephew Tommy. His ability to appeal to the audience as well as his camaraderie with other comics has allowed him to excel.
Now being hailed as one of the leaders for the new generation of up and coming comics, Blame exemplifies dedication to making people laugh. With his stand-up and television appearances and visions of authoring and producing, Blame is turning his talent into an empire that will unfold laughter into entrepreneurism.
In a personal project, Blame has a non-profit foundation called Humor for Hope. It is aimed at helping young people build self esteem through humor and laugher in sketch comedy portraying the social impact and influence of believing in one’s self and dreams despite circumstances.
Blame is currently on tour. Check his website www.blamethecomic for venues and dates.
He does have a standing engagement in Houston the third Saturday of each month at the De Joint Comedy Club.
Laugh for A Cure
KHOU Channel 11 came out to cover "Laugh for A Cure" which was a fundraiser for the awareness against Sickle Cell Anemia. This Charitable event was held at the Encore theater in Houston, Texas and was nothing less than a success. The photo is a shot of Blame the Comic telling a joke about an awkward moment at the grocery store between a customer and a cashier which had the audience in stitches.
Entertaining Houston
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Blame The Comic has been in the comedy business since mid 2002. He likes to think of himself as the most known unknown. This comic’s name can be read in two ways: Blame the Comic or “Blame” (v.) the Comic, which is exactly what he wants you to do because you never really know where this comic is coming from.
A native Houstonian, Blame is not only a jokester, but a college graduate from the University of Houston (2006). It took only eight years and $30,000 for him to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Communications Media Production and a minor in English to discover that he wanted to be a comic. He experienced early success in his career with an appearance on B.E.T’s hit comedy competition show, “Coming to the Stage” (2004) and winning several national comedy competitions, including, The Kings and Queens of Comedy competition (2004), Las Vegas Comedy Festival Regional winner for the college category where he performed at the Stardust Hotel.
Blame has also given back to his community by hosting the fashion and music benefit for “Keep a Child Alive Foundation”. He also was featured in a television commercial for the foundation along with Houston mayor Bill White and other notable Houstonians. Proceeds helped to provide food and medicine for African children suffering from HIV and AIDS.
Those unfamiliar with this Houston-based comic may ask: “Why should I book Blame for an event.” He will tell you that: “All I want to do is deliver that positive cry of the soul which is laughter, and have my audience escape reality for the moment as they laugh in total bliss and gut wrenching humor.”Although it might seem cliché ,“Blame” wants you to live, laugh, love, and then laugh some more. And at the end of the night, if you’ve enjoyed the experience, you’re only left with one thing to do and that is…“Blame” the Comic.
myPPK.com/get/blamethecomic
Houston Defender Article
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Although a rap career may appeal to some, Marion Stafford, better know as Blame the Comic, said he knew comedy was the path for him. "It's less saturated and it beats the rapping game," said the Houston native. "Plus, I'm not that tough." Choosing comedy turned out to be the right move for Stafford. Less than a year after gracing the stage, he won a comedy competition at the Arena Theater, and not long after that landed a spot on BET's popular stand up competition TV show "Coming to the Stage."
But Stafford said it was a much smaller accomplishment that unlocked his passion for entertaining crowds. "I got paid $50 at a comedy night," he said. "Once I got that, I was like, yeah, this is something I need to be doing." Ten years following his first paid gig, Stafford continues to make audiences laugh across the country. He's also currently working to launch his non profit, Humor for Hope Foundation. " The purpose of the organization is to do comedic expression for underpriviledged communities, special needs public,such as natural disaster victims.... and schools," Stafford said.
"I'm also teaming with the World Youth Foundation, working with rehab and juvenile centers and prisions to use comedy as a form of anger managment, mental wellness, and character building." Find Blame the Comic at www.facebook.com/blamethecomic or on Twitter @blamethecomic.