A MOST IMPORTANT MONTH

Yes, I know I posted a piece a while back called "The Shame of Shameless Plugging", in which I wrote of how much I disliked continually having to tweet/text/write/message, and otherwise plug my upcoming projects. I felt like only a small per-centage of my followers really had any interest in what I did outside wrestling, and that these plugs were an infringement on their time.

Well, I've kind of gotten over that. One of the things I love about appearing on WWE shows is that I feel like a dinner guest at the world's coolest dinner party. I don't make the menu, shop for the food, set the table, prepare the meal or clean up when it's done. There's not usually much pressure on me. Even my appearance in The 2012 Royal Rumble was based on my premise that "no one man can ruin The Rumble." I just show up, eat until I'm full, and leave - until the next invite arrives. These comedy shows are an entirely different experience. I create the menu, serve the meals, and clean up when it's over. Most importantly, it's largely up to me to invite the guests - which is where the tweets and plugs of other varieties come in. Basically, if I don't get the word out about these shows..there are no shows. I'm taking on a pretty formidable challenge in a business where success is measure by hundreds or even dozens (of fans) instead of thousands or tens of thousands. These self-promoting tweets - which are seen as an annoyance by some - are the difference between sinking and swimming in the very serious business of comedy. Several months ago, I thought I was going to just give up - just sit on the side of the pool and watch others attempt to sink or swim - all because I didn't want to annoy or inconveniance any of my followers. Well, brother, I'm jumping back into that pool...and I'm going to swim!

The next five weeks are among the most important of my non-wrestling life, and I hope those of you out there who have cared enough to watch me in the ring or read anything I've done, will follow or support me in another endeavor. Wrestling is always going to be my first true love, and I'm proud to be an representative of WWE, but in the next five weeks, I'm going to be fully submerging myself in the two most important comedy festivals in the world - The Montreal "Just For Laughs" festival, where I'll be teaming up with the inimitable Brendon Burns (one of the smartest, funniest comics I've ever heard) for our "Good God Almighty" show, and  the Edinburgh "Fringe Fest" in Scotland for my "Prisoner of Raw" show. In building to these two huge festivals, I'll be doing a show in Ocala, Florida on July 12th, and then 5 big shows with Brendon Burns on Long Island and along the New Jersey shore from July 18-22.

Look, you just don't get invited to these festivals if you're not good. I wouldn't be putting myself out there if I didn't think I had a legit chance to make a dent in the comedy business. I am hoping that WWE will embrace what I do - they will be bringing their cameras to my July 18 show at The Brokerage in Bellmore - and that these upcoming five weeks may lead to comedy shows for our troops in bases in the US and abroad, and a potential one-man-show for WWE. When and if that happens, I think it will strike members of The WWE Universe as a marriage that makes perfect sense. At this point, it's still a challenge to convince the same people who will gladly wait two hours to meet me at an autograph signing to spend two hours inside a comedy venue instead, getting the same autograph for the same (or less) money. The leap from sports-entertainment to comedy and story-telling in not nearly as dramatic as some of you think it is. Come on in - the water's fine! In addition, these festivals should lead to more shows in cities around the world; I've already got a February tour of Australia with Brendon Burns in the works, and a 2013 tour (or tours) of The UK and Ireland is a no-brainer, given the enthusiasm my 2011 and 2012 tours were met with.

For those of you within driving distance of any of these upcoming shows, I have only one request - try it, you'll like it. And for those out there whose interest does not extend outside the world of sports-entertainment...that's fine. When these plugs pop up, you can disreguard them, or choose to unfollow if you feel stongly enough about it. Un-following is just a click of a button away. But remember, you're just un-following me, not breaking up with me; no need to explain why you're not following. But I think the vast majority of people following me would like to see me do well in a pursuit I'm working hard on. I try to bring the same passion to these comedy shows that I brought to my my wrestling, promos and writing. And on certain nights, it's just as rewarding. I hope you'll consider attending one of my unique dinner parties. I work hard on that menu, and make sure no two meals are ever quite the same. Your attendance would be greatly appreciated.

Information for ALL of my upcoming comedy shows can be found in the EVENTS section of my website :    http://realmickfoley.com

Comments

[Dana]

You are fully supported in my book Mick Foley! One of the greatest. I wish you much success. I live in NJ but sadly may not be able to attend, but am sure you will excell at your passion for comedy. I hope to be able to attend a show of yours in the future. Best wishes.

Dana
@ejsmom07

[Stevieray1986]

Mick, I fully support you in your comedy career. My only wish is that I could see you perform!

[Dana]

By the way my 6yr old son, Elijah, has been watching youtube videos of you (a huge wrestling fan) and was in the background chanting and wanting me to tell you "Foley is God! Foley is God" as I was typing my first comment here. :-)

Good luck!
@ejsmom07

[TimTJChurch]

Mick, I have an autograph I bought from you on EBay (charity thing, I think) & an autograph & pic in person... But as one of the smarter wrestling fans (I like to think so), have to mention I found 3 typos in the last paragraph alone. (Ironically, first beng the word "dopes".)

Follow you on Twitter, & won't stop... Trying to help a fellow writer. (As yet unpublised, in my case.)

[LaShonda_m]

Loved ya Mick when when I was kid now I am all grown up and still love ya Mick Foley watched you all as a child growing up you earn my respect you are very special you always by in my heart Mick never forgotten thanks for your time and sharing this on what you do for us all it's appreciated good luck in all you do for yourself and others.

[Tweetpaulobrien]

Mick,

Best of luck with Montreal and Edinburgh! I will tweet and retweet to help get the word out.

Is the Karate Kid bit going with you?

Paul