Yes, we know it’s Pygmalion week here at Smile Politely, and yes, we know Collin Bullock’s show (this Thursday at 8 p.m. Cowboy Monkey) doesn’t have anything to do with Pygmalion. But Pygmalion doesn’t HAVE any comedy, OK? And come to think of it, why doesn’t it? Who says we have to get all serious this last weekend in September?
If you feel like bucking that trend, here’s a show to get you laughing in the midst of Pygmalion madness.
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Sipping my morning coffee, I dial the number of Collin Bullock, Champaign-Urbana native, returning soon to do stand-up at Cowboy Monkey for the second leg of a comedy tour that’s beginning in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Living the relaxed life of a comedian in Chicago, Collin is on his first cup of coffee having only woken up a little while earlier than our 11 a.m. phone call. I’m on my second cup, and a little jealous. But I’ll just keep telling myself that two is better than one.
Collin’s comedic history begins with a trip to New York with his mom when he was about nine years old. He and his mom went to Caroline’s On Broadway, “NYC’s premier stand-up comedy nightclub.” Collin’s not sure how she got him in, and to this day she hasn’t told him, but he arguably wasn’t scared by the experience, and in the end it helped lead him to where he is today. He recalls seeing Jeffrey Ross and others, but the comedian that really stood out to him was Patrice O’Neal, who’s comedic style spoke to Collin. “I liked that you can just talk to people and get paid for it,” he told me, a style he emulates today.
Collin moved to Chicago about seven years ago after pursuing a more traditional route after graduating from Champaign Central High School, before deciding that academia wasn’t for him. Since then, Collin has performed all around the Midwest, and even as far away as LA. His upcoming performance at Cowboy Monkey in downtown Champaign will actually be a return performance. His first open mic was there about eight years ago. “It was terrible,” he told me. After the show Collin went outside and asked someone for a cigarette, they said he could have one, but advised him to never do stand-up again. Obviously Collin hasn’t taken this advice, good or not, but he’s still hoping no one from Cowboy Monkey reads this article.
Since then Collin has perfected his craft. I can only assume that this is true since I have nothing to compare to the videos of his stand-up that I watched. Collin must be doing something right, he continues to get paid just for talking to people. Though Collin does write set lists before every show, it’s done more to provide a safety net, than strictly order and group the jokes he tells. He doesn’t have a favorite joke. Falling in and out of love with his material, Collin’s favorite jokes to tell are the ones he comes up with in the moment. Collin prefers improv, just talking based on what comes to mind or whatever is happening in the audience. Every show is a little different, and the hardest part about comedy Collin says, “is trying to be funny and convey who you are at the same time, to people who don’t know you.” The title of this tour, named after a description Collin once received regarding his stand-up, might give you a clue though: “Angry Penis Humor.”
Cutting out the middleman, Collin scheduled the shows for this tour himself, personally reaching out to the venues. He told me he’s “DIY-ing it” this time around. He prefers it that way, doing smaller, independent shows that are more relatable and where it’s easier to connect with the audience. Connecting with the audience isn’t hard for Collin, who once ate an entire pie on a dare. As soon as I knew that tidbit of information, I figured he was an okay guy. This hunch was affirmed when I asked him what he likes to do besides stand-up and he said, “eat big sandwiches instead of working out.” If that’s not relatable, I don’t know what is.
Even if you don’t like pie or big sandwiches, and are addicted to working out, you should still go to the show. Other local comics will be opening up for Collin, and who doesn’t like a hometown hero? And you can leave feeling good knowing that you supported local artists. As can be expected from the name of the tour, you can expect something “different, weird, dirty, and silly.” In other words, expect the unexpected.
If for some strange reason you are unable to attend Collin’s show at Cowboy Monkey at 8 p.m. on September 24th (that’s a Thursday. Write that down.), perhaps you’ll be in St. Louis or Tulsa soon after. Those are his next two stops. Or, if you’re driving to St. Louis or Tulsa and need something to listen to in the car, Collin’s stand-up can be found on Spotify, or you can checkout his podcast “Awkward Moments,” where he gets to do more of what he loves, talking and connecting with people. Also be sure to check out his recent movie role in the Sundance film, Spirit of 68.
You should do all of this immediately, because according to Collin he’ll probably die soon. If not, he hopes to keep doing comedy forever until he dies in his sleep at the tender age of 80.
To preview his work, visit Collin’s website.
Photos belong to Collin A. Bullock.