My Connection to Cher

Cher just launched a Gelato company! I’m not sure how it's doing, BUT she did sort of help launch my comedy career . . .a little. Okay, she helped me VERBALIZE my comedy career goals.

It was the late 1980’s and I went to one of her concerts at the Capitol Center outside Washington D.C. We sat in the nosebleed section to fit my nosebleed budget. Cher’s opening act was a comedian named Bobby Collins. While watching his hilarious act, I turned to my friend and said “I want to do what he’s doing!” I’m not sure my friend was impressed at the time, but it was very brave of me to acknowledge that because I hadn’t ever said out loud that I wanted to be a comedian. It crystalized my dream job.

Fast forward 10+ years post-Cher,

I actually worked with Bobby Collins at the D.C. Improv. He liked my act and was very complimentary. I mentioned that I was planning to move to Los Angeles within the next year or so, and he graciously told me how to look him up since he lived there. That was super nice of him because he was (and still is) a BIG star at that time, and

well known throughout the country. I was a nobody working the road.

Fast forward about a year or so later

post-Bobby chat, I actually made the move, and more importantly I contacted Bobby. He remembered me, and true to his word, he told me to meet him at the famous Hollywood Improv on Melrose the next week. I showed up at the appointed time and he not only met me BUT he introduced me to everyone, including the icon Bud Freeman, owner of the Hollywood Improv. That night was surreal as I realized just how far I’d come from watching a famous comedian on stage at a huge arena, opening for a huge star, to having that exact comedian introduce me to the big wigs at the most iconic comedy club in the country. It was simply mind-blowing for me.

I learned 2 valuable lessons -

1. Verbalize what you want because no one can read your mind.
2. When someone offers to help you out, TAKE. THEM. UP. ON. IT. Most people who offer to help are sincere about it. It’s our own limitations that stop us from picking up the phone.

Jan McInnis is a Keynote Speaker, Comedian, Comedy Writer, and Master of Ceremonies. She has written for Jay Leno’s Tonight Show monologue as well as many other people, places, and groups – radio, TV, syndicated cartoon strips, and even guests on the Jerry Springer show (her parents are proud). For 20+ years she’s traveled country as a keynote speaker and comedian sharing her unique and practical tips on what business leaders can learn from comedians (no, it’s not all about telling jokes). She can be reached at www.TheWorkLady.com, or [email protected]? She’s also a GREAT Master of Ceremonies. Click here for her emcee site?