Out on the Edge: America's Rebel Comics (Paperback)

by Mike Player (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In clubs, at public events across America, and on television, more queer comedians are coming out and telling their stories-fighting the battle in the trenches of pop culture. How are they faring and where do we still need to go? This is a fun and illuminating trip behind the scenes with America's queer comics-as they see it. Margaret Cho, outspoken comedian, pens the book's introduction.

Mike Player is the creator of The Gay Mafia improv/sketch comedy group, based in Los Angeles.

About the Author
Born in Palo Alto, California, Mike Player is the creator of America's First and Continuing Queer Comedy Festival, Outlaugh! He is also a cast member and the director/creator of The Gay Mafia improv/sketch comedy group, based in Los Angeles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Alyson Books (December 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593500963
• ISBN-13: 978-1593500962
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #759,291 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Poignant and Entertaining , November 26, 2008

By	Cyber Comic Man "Cyber Comic Man" (Sayville, New York) - See all my reviews

I have been a comedy aficionado for many years. I have read bios and auto-bios of all the greats - Chaplin, the Marx bros, Jack Benny, Sid Caesar, Carlin, Robin Williams, and on and on it goes...so... I was looking for a new book on comedians I was not familiar with. A friend mentioned this one and the title intrigued me. The book turned out to be quite unique in its approach and content. Each chapter is self contained so that one can skip around to names they may be familiar with first, then to others they are without losing the continuity of the central theme of the book and that is - there is indeed a culture of "rebel comics" who have overcome obstacles and challenges in a very challenging industry to make a living at it at a minimum and at a maximum to become famous as a result of it. To be honest I did not know many of the comedians - I do now (I have been googling names and finding youtube clips of performances that are hilarious). There is one chapter that is written by 3 comics of a comedy trio that I could swear was fed lines by Neil Simon because it is literally laugh out loud funny. I wish I could go back in time and attend one of their performances (They are no longer together). That chapter was worth the reasonable price of the book alone. The author contributes a poignant story of his upbringing and his challenges of "the business". There is an ironic twist to his story...regarding his name (No spoiler here either). It is almost as if it was predetermined by some force that he would suffer through the trials and tribulations of his youth so that he could someday write this book, which is exactly what he did in triumphant fashion. In another favorite chapter there is an interview with an actor from "The Office" TV series (again, no spoilers sorry!). The chapter gives a behind the scenes view of the show along with the challenges of being typecast in the industry (Okay a slight give away there!). In summary, one story after another portrays the thoughts, dreams and pitfalls of being a comic "out on the edge". Kudos to all of them and to the author for accomplishing what they have accomplished. Who are the comics? You will need to go out on the edge to find out!

5.0 out of 5 stars Comics Telling their Stories, December 9, 2008

By	Amos Lassen (Little Rock, Arkansas) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Player, Mike. "Out on the Edge: America's Rebel Comics". Alyson, 2008.

Comics Telling their Stories

Amos Lassen

I don't know if you have noticed but lately we are seeing a lot of queer comedians and comediennes and they are telling their stories to the world. Mike Player has taken these stories and mixed them with interviews and gives us a wonderful look at the people who make us laugh. In doing so, he shows us how far both gays and comedy has come and looks ahead to where it can go.
These comics are different when they talk about sexuality and it all becomes very, very funny. As we meet the comics, we learn about their families, their relationships, what it is like when they are on stage and how being a gay comic has changed their lives, Now let me tell you that not all of the comics in this book are gay, there are a few straight ones but all of them give us a peek about what is happening in the world of comedy and in 21st century America.
Margaret Cho gives a wonderful introduction to the book in her essay, "The Kindness of Gay Men" and there on there is a lot of laughter in this book. The book is made up of self-contained chapters and I really liked this because I could read first about the comedians that I am familiar with. But let me also say this--the ones I was not familiar with are now on my list to see.
Why are they called "rebel comics"? It seems to me that this is because of the challenges they have had to overcome on their road to acceptance.
If you want some real laughs, this is the book for you. You will laugh your way into understanding and there is also a lesson here that I learned from Mike Player's own biography included in the book. Basically we learn that if someone wants something bad enough and has the will and tenacity to stick with it, it will probably happen. Living on the edge and then using it as a jumping off part can bring rewards but you have to look carefully before you jump.