Modified Aug 30, 2006 - 22:08:16 PDT
The most laughs wins
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It could all be a reason to cry, but for Bill Word it's a reason to laugh: Ward is the host of the Orange County's funniest person contest.
Held at Martini Blues supper bar in Huntington Beach, the competition will bring 60 of the area's promising comedic talent together for six weekends of hilarity, self-degradation and a chance at grabbing the title of "O.C.'s funniest."
Some of the talent is just budding and some are in full bloom, Word said, although he won't officially put money on any one horse.
"I think usually the cream rises," he said. "There's people who have more talent than others.
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Hopeful contestants sent in an audition on DVD or videotape. Most had performed at Martini Blues in the past, where Word teaches stand-up comedy classes twice a week, so he already knew what they could do, he said.
Some of the charm for comedians in practicing their routines in Orange County lies in the lack of entertainment agents and scouts in the crowd, Word said.
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"In the bigger clubs, there is industry in the clubs all the time."
The contest promises to weed out the best of the county and help some working their way up north to the lights and fame of Hollywood.
"Everyone around the world knows about L.A. for entertainment," Word said. "We're just the little county below, but we have our own special identity."
Part of that identity comes from performers such as Yorba Linda resident and 15-year comedian Julie Kidd.
Kidd has been a part of the contest since its inception in 2002. Each year, she walked away just shy of the title, and at times had reservations about returning for competition this year.
"I kind of thought twice about it — entering the contest again," Kidd said. "But as a comic, it makes you stretch. You want to make sure you're on your A-game, and it helps you."
She wants to stay on top of the game because aside from her solo career, she has a team of people relying on her to keep bringing that A-grade performance to the stage.
Her team, The Laff Pack, an Orange County-based troupe of three men and two women — Kidd and her stepsister Cindy Burns — performed Wednesday at the Improv in Irvine. Burns was actually the one responsible in moving 46-year-old Kidd to begin stand-up.
"She's my soul mate," Kidd said.
The mother of four racially mixed children, Kidd thinks her material, which always comes straight from her life, may be uncomfortable for some.
"I'm a blonde haired, blue- eyed, single mom with three black kids out there doing comedy," Kidd said. "I write a lot of material about raising my kids. Some people aren't ready for that."
The 21-, 17- and 12-year-olds don't seem to mind that they are a source for their mother's material.
"What embarrasses them the most is when I am just driving them, not even talking but practicing my routine, and they are just mortified," Kidd said.
"That is the best place to practice — when you're driving."
Each routine makes a performer nervous, Kidd said.
"You learn to work with that nervousness," Kidd said. "Some tank by the finals because they can't handle the nervousness."
It's been a struggle for Kidd to step back up to the microphone each year after four years without the championship.
"Every year I don't make it to the finals I say I am not coming back," Kidd said. "I go away for a couple of months, lick my wounds and say, 'OK, this year I am going to win it.' I have had a lot more great sets than bad sets.
"I decided not to look into who's going against who," she said. "I am just going there and doing my thing."
Shows begin at 8:30 p.m. every Saturday through Oct.14, with four Friday performances as well. Check the O.C.'s Funniest website at www.ocfunniest.com for a list of times, dates and performers.
