Let’s face it: we could all use a good laugh right about now.
But in these stressful post-pandemic times, laughter is complicated. Standup comedy took a beating in recent years, when sitting in close quarters with a bunch of laughing strangers wasn’t an option. Now that people are back in the comedy clubs, the biggest risk may be to the performers treading the fine line between entertaining and offending.
Even the seemingly fearless Joe Rogan has a strict no-cellphones policy at his Comedy Mothership in Austin, Texas. The rule is intended to allow comics to try out risky material without fear of a career-ending online backlash from the cancel culture.
So when I was invited to the 17th annual Nantucket Comedy Festival, I was curious about what would get a genuine laugh from the upscale audience that vacations here.
There was a young man from Nantucket…
Yes, I know what rhymes with Nantucket. Just google “limerick about Nantucket” if you need help figuring it out. In this case, there really is a man named Kevin Flynn, a standup comic, program host and actor who has appeared in films alongside Ben Stiller, Bill Murray and Jim Carey.
When the Nantucket community was shaken by teenage suicides in 2007, Flynn started the comedy festival to benefit an outreach program. Stand Up and Learn teaches standup comedy skills to middle and high school students, building confidence and self esteem. The kids put on a free performance, while professional comedians fly in to entertain donors and ticket-buyers.
Ladies of Laughter: Testing the Waters
Erin Maguire was first to take the stage. She wasted no time in testing the waters, describing Nantucket as a place where “diversity means white people of different heights.” That got a laugh, so she followed up with “Who here has a yacht?”
Irish mothers came in for a bashing, which must be OK if you are a red-headed Irish-American like two of the four opening night performers. Mom’s dating advice got a little spicy: “Touch a dick, shame the family.”
Most of the humor was self-deprecating, the comics making fun of themselves. This worked well when Erin Jackson found the funny in relatable topics like relationships and weight loss. The audience was much less enthusiastic about another performer’s lengthy and graphic rant about having bad sex with her overweight husband.
Most people who sit in near the stage in a comedy theater expect to be picked on. The front row of the Nantucket audience, however, seemed in no mood to play along with a good-natured ribbing; this made the jokesters’ job much more challenging.
Comedy Smackdown: Playing it Safe
The closing night of the festival featured teams from Boston and New York competing for the coveted “Man from Nantucket” trophy. The only direct shot at a controversial topic came from a comic who announced that he’s a new dad: “It’s a girl. We’re not going to wait for her to decide.”
Adam Ferrara struck comedy gold with a riff on his nail-biting flight to Nantucket aboard Cape Air, known for its tiny, puddle-jumping planes. He singled out a woman who confessed to working in the airline’s marketing department: “What’s your slogan… because you don’t want to swim?” The audience roared at his description of passengers being seated according to their weight but lying about it anyway.
Overall, there were plenty of laughs for everyone who came out to support a good cause. And nobody got cancelled. In 2023 America, that’s saying something.
Substack Shoutout: For more on the comedy scene in Austin Texas, check out this article from The Free Press:
More on Strangers in the Living Room
If you’re dreaming of a visit to this beautiful island, I’ve got you covered with Visit Nantucket: Whaling History and New England Charm. How to get here, where to stay, what to eat, how to see the sights.
In the News: Where is Everybody?
If it seems like everyone you know is posting from Italy on Instagram and Facebook right now, you’re not alone. More European destinations have new policies to combat overcrowding. Whatever you do, don’t take a selfie in Portofino!
Euronews reports that tourism in Croatia has surpassed pre-pandemic levels. This is the first summer since Croatia ditched its currency, the kuna, and joined the Euro zone. It also joined Schengen, meaning no lines to cross the border. The nine million tourists so far this year are loving it, but Croatians are not so happy with the resulting inflation, which peaked at 13.5 percent. Ouch!
Even my beloved Ljubljana is packed with tourists. If you’re one of them, don’t miss my totally honest guide to Europe’s most charming capital city.
Travel Videos on my YouTube Channel
There’s lots more about travel in Slovenia on my YouTube channel. While you’re there, please click on the SUBSCRIBE button. I need your help to reach my goal of 500 subscribers and I’m getting close! You’ll also see vintage TV clips like the unexpected and unwanted kiss I got from Geraldo Rivera on the 5 pm news in Houston.
I’ll close with a friendly reminder that this FREE newsletter will always be FREE. I’m not like those writers that let you read half the article and make you pay for the rest. See you next month from my staycation in Palm Beach County, Florida. Don’t be a stranger!