Tig Notaro Live!
October 5, 2012 11:36 AM Subscribe
Standup comedian Tig Notaro's celebrated early-August set at Largo at the Coronet (previously) has been released online as a $5 download (audio only), with a bit of help from Louis CK.
[You know... just in case you're one of the ones who read that previous thread and felt immediate frustration and envy about not having been there.]
[Also, that's apparently "live" pronounced like a verb, not an adjective.]
[You know... just in case you're one of the ones who read that previous thread and felt immediate frustration and envy about not having been there.]
[Also, that's apparently "live" pronounced like a verb, not an adjective.]
This post was deleted for the following reason: Poster's Request -- Brandon Blatcher
Oh my goodness yes. I will be buying this as soon as I'm on my home computer.
posted by showbiz_liz at 11:44 AM on October 5, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by showbiz_liz at 11:44 AM on October 5, 2012 [1 favorite]
If I remember my "next week on This American Life from last week" correctly, Notaro and this set in particular are a subject in at least one of the stories (and reading the article before hitting post shows that this is sort of mentioned).
So this seems like particularly smart timing, which I like.
That story isn't live yet, but her TAL tale about her and Taylor Dayne is (it was probably linked in the earlier thread, but it's one of those things that deserves re-mentioning)
posted by MCMikeNamara at 11:49 AM on October 5, 2012 [6 favorites]
So this seems like particularly smart timing, which I like.
That story isn't live yet, but her TAL tale about her and Taylor Dayne is (it was probably linked in the earlier thread, but it's one of those things that deserves re-mentioning)
posted by MCMikeNamara at 11:49 AM on October 5, 2012 [6 favorites]
I listened to this immediately after it came out and, seriously, my mouth was open pretty much the entire time. This show really defines for me bold, fearless, brave stage presence and delivery. It's art, no doubt.
posted by Apropos of Something at 11:51 AM on October 5, 2012
posted by Apropos of Something at 11:51 AM on October 5, 2012
You know... just in case you're one of the ones who read that previous thread and felt immediate frustration and envy about not having been there.
Yep, that would be me. Thanks for posting this.
posted by brundlefly at 11:59 AM on October 5, 2012 [1 favorite]
Yep, that would be me. Thanks for posting this.
posted by brundlefly at 11:59 AM on October 5, 2012 [1 favorite]
This weekend's This American Life is supposed to have a ten minute clip from the show as well as Tig Notaro talking about her experience.
Bought and listened to it this morning, everyone should go do that right now.
"It's weird because with humor, the equation is tragedy, plus time, equals comedy. I... am just at tragedy, right now. That's just where I am in the equation. Aw, it's fine. Here's what happened."
posted by lookoutbelow at 12:09 PM on October 5, 2012
Bought and listened to it this morning, everyone should go do that right now.
"It's weird because with humor, the equation is tragedy, plus time, equals comedy. I... am just at tragedy, right now. That's just where I am in the equation. Aw, it's fine. Here's what happened."
posted by lookoutbelow at 12:09 PM on October 5, 2012
The nonprofit social marketer in me kind of wishes that Louis CK purchase page had a link to a Tig-approved cancer charity or fund for performers, etc., in case people felt inclined to donate extra while throwing a few bucks toward the recording. I know part of the money goes to charity anyways, but I could see throwing an extra $10 or $20 that way as well because I've followed Tig's story.
posted by Madamina at 12:11 PM on October 5, 2012
posted by Madamina at 12:11 PM on October 5, 2012
"Hospital, hospital, maybe get on top of things -- make two lists...number one would just be dead people..."
Jesus Christ, this is the funniest not funny thing I've ever heard. And I really shouldn't be listening to it at work.
I was very firmly in the "it's okay for live shows to be ephemeral becyse of the magic of live theater" when this was originally discussed. And though I'm still somewhat in that camp, I'm glad to have heard this version.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 12:29 PM on October 5, 2012
Jesus Christ, this is the funniest not funny thing I've ever heard. And I really shouldn't be listening to it at work.
I was very firmly in the "it's okay for live shows to be ephemeral becyse of the magic of live theater" when this was originally discussed. And though I'm still somewhat in that camp, I'm glad to have heard this version.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 12:29 PM on October 5, 2012
For those who hadn't heard the good news, apparently Notaro is now cancer free!
posted by Ursula Hitler at 12:32 PM on October 5, 2012 [17 favorites]
posted by Ursula Hitler at 12:32 PM on October 5, 2012 [17 favorites]
Gonna grab this, thanks. Also, I haven't watched/listened to any of Louis CK's own shows for sale. I'm a fan, and I'm seeing him when he's in town next month... Which one(s) should I get? Are some better than others?
posted by danny the boy at 12:41 PM on October 5, 2012
posted by danny the boy at 12:41 PM on October 5, 2012
I listened to this driving around and I was laughing and crying, alternately, for the whole thing.
posted by Danf at 12:48 PM on October 5, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Danf at 12:48 PM on October 5, 2012 [1 favorite]
This is really wonderful.
posted by spanishbombs at 1:19 PM on October 5, 2012
posted by spanishbombs at 1:19 PM on October 5, 2012
danny the boy: "Gonna grab this, thanks. Also, I haven't watched/listened to any of Louis CK's own shows for sale. I'm a fan, and I'm seeing him when he's in town next month... Which one(s) should I get? Are some better than others?"
Short answer: All of them.
Long answer: Given Louis' practice of making a brand new hour of stand up each year, you're not going to hear anything in the albums that he's ever recorded before, so you can't go wrong. Hilarious is, I think, the best of them. My favorite part about that show, which I watched in the movie theatre first and then purchased, is the story arc of the act: Louis really decomposes what a stand up act is before diving further and further into himself to produce his. If you get the video, it's also beautifully shot.
posted by Apropos of Something at 1:32 PM on October 5, 2012
Short answer: All of them.
Long answer: Given Louis' practice of making a brand new hour of stand up each year, you're not going to hear anything in the albums that he's ever recorded before, so you can't go wrong. Hilarious is, I think, the best of them. My favorite part about that show, which I watched in the movie theatre first and then purchased, is the story arc of the act: Louis really decomposes what a stand up act is before diving further and further into himself to produce his. If you get the video, it's also beautifully shot.
posted by Apropos of Something at 1:32 PM on October 5, 2012
I learned about Tig in the original MeFi post, and bought her album shortly thereafter (on which appears the Taylor Dane routine - it's great).
I'm so glad to hear she's doing well, and that I get to listen to this set now. She's pretty amazing.
posted by ImmaculatePizza at 1:33 PM on October 5, 2012
I'm so glad to hear she's doing well, and that I get to listen to this set now. She's pretty amazing.
posted by ImmaculatePizza at 1:33 PM on October 5, 2012
Insta-buy.
posted by Happy Dave at 2:11 PM on October 5, 2012
posted by Happy Dave at 2:11 PM on October 5, 2012
Awesome, I've been wanting to hear this. Bought, after being insulted for forgetting my password. Thanks for posting.
posted by joedan at 2:38 PM on October 5, 2012
posted by joedan at 2:38 PM on October 5, 2012
I wanna go home and get this on the home computer already. Hours more to go....
posted by jenfullmoon at 2:39 PM on October 5, 2012
posted by jenfullmoon at 2:39 PM on October 5, 2012
Bought.
More comedians and stage performers should do this.
posted by flippant at 2:56 PM on October 5, 2012
More comedians and stage performers should do this.
posted by flippant at 2:56 PM on October 5, 2012
Totally bought.
(The fact that she's cancer-free is far and away the better news, naturally, but this audio becoming available is pretty frickin' sweet.)
posted by tzikeh at 3:04 PM on October 5, 2012
(The fact that she's cancer-free is far and away the better news, naturally, but this audio becoming available is pretty frickin' sweet.)
posted by tzikeh at 3:04 PM on October 5, 2012
Which one(s) should I get? Are some better than others?"
I agree its all good but Live at the Beacon, the first show video he released in this DIY, no-DRM file manner, is a fine first choice. He's on top of his game, its a great edit of fine performances, its $5 for a solid hour of material. If you're more for audio Word and Shameless are both excellent for the same flat $5 each, a fine deal.
posted by nanojath at 3:16 PM on October 5, 2012
I agree its all good but Live at the Beacon, the first show video he released in this DIY, no-DRM file manner, is a fine first choice. He's on top of his game, its a great edit of fine performances, its $5 for a solid hour of material. If you're more for audio Word and Shameless are both excellent for the same flat $5 each, a fine deal.
posted by nanojath at 3:16 PM on October 5, 2012
Am downloading right now and really looking forward to hearing it. Absolutely fucking thrilled to hear that her surgery went well.
I couldn't remember my password, so I was pleased to see that both the page that let me request a new password and the password itself were insulting.
posted by maudlin at 3:21 PM on October 5, 2012 [2 favorites]
I couldn't remember my password, so I was pleased to see that both the page that let me request a new password and the password itself were insulting.
posted by maudlin at 3:21 PM on October 5, 2012 [2 favorites]
So, so glad this has been released.
posted by mediareport at 3:28 PM on October 5, 2012
posted by mediareport at 3:28 PM on October 5, 2012
That was fantastic. I've never gone from laughing to crying and back continuously like this. It was so humane and cathartic that when she was asked to do a standard joke at the end, everyone laughed at how absurd it was in light of what had just happened.
This transcended stand-up. It was the most human thing ever recorded, I think.
posted by flippant at 3:38 PM on October 5, 2012
This transcended stand-up. It was the most human thing ever recorded, I think.
posted by flippant at 3:38 PM on October 5, 2012
I made it all the way to end and when it was over I thought back over it and that was when I teared up.
posted by djeo at 3:47 PM on October 5, 2012
posted by djeo at 3:47 PM on October 5, 2012
I usually torrent everything, but since the whole "Pay 5 dollars for a download of my show thing" I don't think I've downloaded anything offered via that route. I like this development.
posted by thsmchnekllsfascists at 3:53 PM on October 5, 2012 [5 favorites]
posted by thsmchnekllsfascists at 3:53 PM on October 5, 2012 [5 favorites]
Purchased.
posted by Horace Rumpole at 6:57 PM on October 5, 2012
posted by Horace Rumpole at 6:57 PM on October 5, 2012
thanks for this.
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 7:01 PM on October 5, 2012
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 7:01 PM on October 5, 2012
Wow. This performance needs to be etched onto a gold record and sent out on a space probe, just to prove to The Universe that we could sometimes be worth it.
posted by Cyrano at 7:26 PM on October 5, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Cyrano at 7:26 PM on October 5, 2012 [1 favorite]
I bought this this morning. I was going to listen to a couple of minutes of it, then put it on my iPod and finish it on the subway. I didn't get up until it was done. It's excellent.
People who are new to Notaro should definitely check out her podcast, Professor Blastoff. It's great.
posted by Ragged Richard at 7:35 PM on October 5, 2012
People who are new to Notaro should definitely check out her podcast, Professor Blastoff. It's great.
posted by Ragged Richard at 7:35 PM on October 5, 2012
Oh, and for people not on C.K.'s mailing list, this is the email he sent out about it:
Greetings to the people and parts of people that are reading this. Hi. This is Louis. I'm a comedian and you bought a thing from me. Well, I'm writing to tell You that there is a new thing you can buy on my website louisck.com. It's an audio standup set by not me but another comedian named Tig Notaro. Why am I selling someone else's comedy on my website?
Well, Tig is a friend of mine and she is very funny. I love her voice on stage. One night I was performing at a club in LA called Largo. Tig was there. She was about to go on stage. I hadn't seen Tig in about a year and I said how are you? She replied "well I found out today that I have cancer in both breasts and that it has likely spread to my lymph nodes. My doctor says it looks real bad. ". She wasn't kidding. I said "uh. Jesus. Tig. Well. Do you... Have your family... Helping?". She said "well my mom was with me but a few weeks ago she fell down, hit her head and she died". She still wasn't kidding.
Now, I'm pretty stupid to begin with, and I sure didn't know what to say now. I opened my mouth and this came out. "jeez, Tig. I. Really value you. Highly.". She said "I value you highly too, Louie.". Then she held up a wad of note-paper in her hand and said "I'm gonna talk about all of it on stage now. It's probably going to be a mess". I said "wow". And with that, she went on stage.
I stood in the wings behind a leg of curtain, about 8 feet from her, and watched her tell a stunned audience "hi. I have cancer. Just found out today. I'm going to die soon". What followed was one of the greatest standup performances I ever saw. I can't really describe it but I was crying and laughing and listening like never in my life. Here was this small woman standing alone against death and simply reporting where her mind had been and what had happened and employing her gorgeously acute standup voice to her own death.
The show was an amazing example of what comedy can be. A way to visit your worst fears and laugh at them. Tig took us to a scary place and made us laugh there. Not by distracting us from the terror but by looking right at it and just turning to us and saying "wow. Right?". She proved that everything is funny. And has to be. And she could only do this by giving us her own death as an example. So generous.
After her set, I asked Mark Flanagan, the owner of Largo (great club, by the way) if he recorded the set. Largo is set up for excellent recordings. He said that he did.
A few days later, I wrote Tig and asked her if I could release this set on my site. I wanted people to hear what I saw. What we all saw that night. She agreed. The show is on sale for the same 5 dollars I charge for my stuff. I'm only keeping 1. She gets the other 4. Tig has decided to give some of that to cancer research.
Tig, by the way, has since undergone a double mastectomy. She is doing well. Her doctors say her chances of survival are excellent. So she went there and came back. Her report from the frontlines of life and death are here for you to... Enjoy.
posted by Ragged Richard at 7:42 PM on October 5, 2012 [14 favorites]
Greetings to the people and parts of people that are reading this. Hi. This is Louis. I'm a comedian and you bought a thing from me. Well, I'm writing to tell You that there is a new thing you can buy on my website louisck.com. It's an audio standup set by not me but another comedian named Tig Notaro. Why am I selling someone else's comedy on my website?
Well, Tig is a friend of mine and she is very funny. I love her voice on stage. One night I was performing at a club in LA called Largo. Tig was there. She was about to go on stage. I hadn't seen Tig in about a year and I said how are you? She replied "well I found out today that I have cancer in both breasts and that it has likely spread to my lymph nodes. My doctor says it looks real bad. ". She wasn't kidding. I said "uh. Jesus. Tig. Well. Do you... Have your family... Helping?". She said "well my mom was with me but a few weeks ago she fell down, hit her head and she died". She still wasn't kidding.
Now, I'm pretty stupid to begin with, and I sure didn't know what to say now. I opened my mouth and this came out. "jeez, Tig. I. Really value you. Highly.". She said "I value you highly too, Louie.". Then she held up a wad of note-paper in her hand and said "I'm gonna talk about all of it on stage now. It's probably going to be a mess". I said "wow". And with that, she went on stage.
I stood in the wings behind a leg of curtain, about 8 feet from her, and watched her tell a stunned audience "hi. I have cancer. Just found out today. I'm going to die soon". What followed was one of the greatest standup performances I ever saw. I can't really describe it but I was crying and laughing and listening like never in my life. Here was this small woman standing alone against death and simply reporting where her mind had been and what had happened and employing her gorgeously acute standup voice to her own death.
The show was an amazing example of what comedy can be. A way to visit your worst fears and laugh at them. Tig took us to a scary place and made us laugh there. Not by distracting us from the terror but by looking right at it and just turning to us and saying "wow. Right?". She proved that everything is funny. And has to be. And she could only do this by giving us her own death as an example. So generous.
After her set, I asked Mark Flanagan, the owner of Largo (great club, by the way) if he recorded the set. Largo is set up for excellent recordings. He said that he did.
A few days later, I wrote Tig and asked her if I could release this set on my site. I wanted people to hear what I saw. What we all saw that night. She agreed. The show is on sale for the same 5 dollars I charge for my stuff. I'm only keeping 1. She gets the other 4. Tig has decided to give some of that to cancer research.
Tig, by the way, has since undergone a double mastectomy. She is doing well. Her doctors say her chances of survival are excellent. So she went there and came back. Her report from the frontlines of life and death are here for you to... Enjoy.
posted by Ragged Richard at 7:42 PM on October 5, 2012 [14 favorites]
FanTASTIC. Thank you for sharing this. Tears in my eyes at the audience's incredible solidarity with Tig.
posted by prefpara at 7:47 PM on October 5, 2012
posted by prefpara at 7:47 PM on October 5, 2012
I'm getting a 404 error when I try to buy this...anyone else getting that, or have an alternate link?
posted by griffey at 7:52 PM on October 5, 2012
posted by griffey at 7:52 PM on October 5, 2012
Nevermind. Louis C.K. just tweeted that they were having problems and fixing it now. https://twitter.com/louisck/statuses/254408584811667456
In other news: I love the Internet.
posted by griffey at 7:59 PM on October 5, 2012 [2 favorites]
In other news: I love the Internet.
posted by griffey at 7:59 PM on October 5, 2012 [2 favorites]
[You know... just in case you're one of the ones who read that previous thread and felt immediate frustration and envy about not having been there.]
Absolutely. At the time I had only a nebulous idea of who she was, but since reading that thread and listening to (not seeing [dammit]) the This American Life live show, I've thoroughly fallen in love with her. The (I thought) nonexistent video of "that set Louis CK saw" was the missing piece.
YAY.
posted by kostia at 8:20 PM on October 5, 2012
Absolutely. At the time I had only a nebulous idea of who she was, but since reading that thread and listening to (not seeing [dammit]) the This American Life live show, I've thoroughly fallen in love with her. The (I thought) nonexistent video of "that set Louis CK saw" was the missing piece.
YAY.
posted by kostia at 8:20 PM on October 5, 2012
Ragged Richard: "The show was an amazing example of what comedy can be. A way to visit your worst fears and laugh at them. Tig took us to a scary place and made us laugh there. Not by distracting us from the terror but by looking right at it and just turning to us and saying "wow. Right?". She proved that everything is funny. And has to be. And she could only do this by giving us her own death as an example. So generous."
I love this part so unbelivably much.
posted by Apropos of Something at 8:24 PM on October 5, 2012 [1 favorite]
I love this part so unbelivably much.
posted by Apropos of Something at 8:24 PM on October 5, 2012 [1 favorite]
Tig is great. One time at the Hollywood Improv she threw an imaginary baby at me, and then gave me hell for not bothering an attempt to catch it. Been a fan ever since. I'm glad she's better.
Additionally, Largo rules. They swiftly bounce anyone who whips out a cellphone during the show. And most of their shows are so good, that there really is no reason to have your dumb phone out anyways. And I'm glad they're releasing this, because it's way better than some shitty cell phone video posted to youtube would have been.
posted by dogwalker at 8:34 PM on October 5, 2012
Additionally, Largo rules. They swiftly bounce anyone who whips out a cellphone during the show. And most of their shows are so good, that there really is no reason to have your dumb phone out anyways. And I'm glad they're releasing this, because it's way better than some shitty cell phone video posted to youtube would have been.
posted by dogwalker at 8:34 PM on October 5, 2012
As far as her being cancer free.. does this mean that soon we will be able to go back to saying she's a pretty boring comic? Good for her, at least.
posted by ReeMonster at 8:41 PM on October 5, 2012
posted by ReeMonster at 8:41 PM on October 5, 2012
I was thinking that, now that we have an audio copy, I would listen to it and try to analyze what makes it so special in terms of artistic expresion to repeat the lessons, but it's such a lightening in a bottle situation I might as well try to spin gold from straw.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 9:15 PM on October 5, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by MCMikeNamara at 9:15 PM on October 5, 2012 [3 favorites]
Bought it. But this week has been an emotional one for me. May take a while before I'm in a place where I can appreciate this.
posted by ColdChef at 9:56 PM on October 5, 2012
posted by ColdChef at 9:56 PM on October 5, 2012
Oh, and I was lucky enough to meet and hang out with Tig at MaxFunCon. She's an absolutely wonderful person.
posted by ColdChef at 9:59 PM on October 5, 2012
posted by ColdChef at 9:59 PM on October 5, 2012
I usually torrent everything, but since the whole "Pay 5 dollars for a download of my show thing" I don't think I've downloaded anything offered via that route. I like this development.
That does seem to be a sweet spot. I've seen hardcore pirates argue the ethics of uploading Louis' $5 show. That was a first.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 10:01 PM on October 5, 2012
That does seem to be a sweet spot. I've seen hardcore pirates argue the ethics of uploading Louis' $5 show. That was a first.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 10:01 PM on October 5, 2012
previous pain in comedy-- mike destefano's obit thread, with video of him on stage telling a story about his deceased wife.
more moving than funny, but i liked this: "...I'm thinking she's gonna fall off the back, you know, then I'm gonna have to tell her family, you know, she almost died of AIDS, but then I killed her on my bike."
posted by twist my arm at 10:12 PM on October 5, 2012 [1 favorite]
more moving than funny, but i liked this: "...I'm thinking she's gonna fall off the back, you know, then I'm gonna have to tell her family, you know, she almost died of AIDS, but then I killed her on my bike."
posted by twist my arm at 10:12 PM on October 5, 2012 [1 favorite]
That does seem to be a sweet spot. I've seen hardcore pirates argue the ethics of uploading Louis' $5 show. That was a first.
I mean, morally, unless the artist is starving to death, I don't really have any problem with downloading it. It's just nice - now that I'm slightly less poor - to be able to directly give money to the people whose shit I like. 5 years ago I would have torrented this in a heartbeat though.
posted by thsmchnekllsfascists at 10:41 PM on October 5, 2012
I mean, morally, unless the artist is starving to death, I don't really have any problem with downloading it. It's just nice - now that I'm slightly less poor - to be able to directly give money to the people whose shit I like. 5 years ago I would have torrented this in a heartbeat though.
posted by thsmchnekllsfascists at 10:41 PM on October 5, 2012
Just amazing. After I listened my stomach hurt from laughing and my face was wet with tears. Terrifically brutal and I had sort of a catharsis-high for half an hour afterwards.
posted by whitneyarner at 11:34 PM on October 5, 2012
posted by whitneyarner at 11:34 PM on October 5, 2012
I was only kind of vaguely aware of her until this, but I had to make this purchase. It's one of the most brutal things that I've ever heard. And I laughed my ass off with her, especially at the riff about how "God never gives you more than you can handle". And at the end of her set she was telling the audience that they had more show coming up - and I'm thinking "Holy shit, some poor sap had to follow this". Honestly, now I'm torn - do I want to go and check out her other stuff? Part of me wants to, but part of me knows that I'd be comparing it to this set, and it's almost sure to come up lacking in comparison.
My sister survived breast cancer and some of the nastiest chemo side effects that I've ever seen or heard of anybody go through. And somehow, she managed to get through it with a sense of humor about it all. Sometimes I think that her ability to laugh about it was one of the things that got her to the other side of that nightmare. I hope that same thing is at work for Tig.
posted by zoog at 10:36 AM on October 6, 2012 [1 favorite]
My sister survived breast cancer and some of the nastiest chemo side effects that I've ever seen or heard of anybody go through. And somehow, she managed to get through it with a sense of humor about it all. Sometimes I think that her ability to laugh about it was one of the things that got her to the other side of that nightmare. I hope that same thing is at work for Tig.
posted by zoog at 10:36 AM on October 6, 2012 [1 favorite]
Finally listened to this. It's brilliant. Funny, sad, and so fucking sad that it becomes hilarious. Laughed and cried the whole way through.
posted by ColdChef at 7:43 PM on October 6, 2012
posted by ColdChef at 7:43 PM on October 6, 2012
Hippybear, mine started with "moron." So they use an algorithm that generates a random insulting word, followed by a string of numbers.
posted by Ragged Richard at 8:45 AM on October 7, 2012
posted by Ragged Richard at 8:45 AM on October 7, 2012
Here's a link to the This American Life episode What Doesn't Kill You from this weekend which includes a substantial excerpt from this set.
posted by lookoutbelow at 5:36 PM on October 7, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by lookoutbelow at 5:36 PM on October 7, 2012 [1 favorite]
Album sales: 75,000 and counting. "Even after expenses, some sites are estimating she will pocket somewhere in the neighborhood of $250,000—and, of course, at least some of that money goes to cancer research."
posted by roger ackroyd at 6:14 PM on October 17, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by roger ackroyd at 6:14 PM on October 17, 2012 [1 favorite]
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posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 11:41 AM on October 5, 2012