5/21/13 - Tuesday – 9pm - Peasants Pub – 114 East 5th St. – Greenville
5/24/13 - Friday - 8pm – The Idiot Box – 348 South Elm St. – Greensboro
I like doing my comedy in cities like I like my Gangsters.
Spelled with capital G’s….solid golden material. (not true)
I would love to get funky with you….Either way I’m rolling out the funk.
Thank you, thank you. Stop clapping already. I am happy to announce…….to all of you that I, Leo Hodson, placed 2nd in the 2013 DSI Carolina’s Funniest Comic Competition.
Apparently, I am the first to debut this news on the world wide web. Exciting, I know. It’s fresh off the press, grab it while its hot. As of right now, no where else on the web will confirm this but I assure you, it is true and for the record it was AWESOME.
Matt White – 1st
Leo Hodson – 2nd
Kevin Kinner – 3rd.
I literally could not have advanced in this competition with out the support of so many individuals. The North Carolina standup community was so supportive in helping me to achieve this honor. The DSI Comedy Theater does not have an accessible stage so my dependence on others played a vital role. I almost died in Round Two. Almost.
I have included the following names because I am thankful for their kindness, support and their willingness to have helped me grow during this years Carolina’s Funniest Comic competition.
Firstly I am most thankful to God for life, love and joy.
Whom I wish to thank, most notably:
My family close and extended
Michael Burton
Tracy Cate
Adam Cohen
Anthony Crawford
Jenny Chalikean
Derick Deaton
Misty Donathan
Corey Erba
Alex Fanning
Brooklin Green
Travis Hancock
Kevin Kinner
Gretchen McNeely
Joe Saxe
Maria and Sarah Sadler
Jeri Lynn Schulke
Katherine Scott
Matt See
Bri Snow
Jay Stadler
Eric Trundy
& Matt White
DSI Comedy Theater
The Art Center
The Idiot Box
Potluck Comedy Showcase
The Underground Cafe
Tate St. Coffee House
And thank you all for your comments and
Thank you for clicking “I like this” on the Facebook post that pertained to my sit down career. That doesn’t go unnoticed so shout outs to (in one breath):
Billi Molina
Pallie Dali
Janie Henderson
Kristen Simms
Matt Cashatt
Leah Tompkins
Meghan LaBean
Bryant Lester
Jordan Groseclose
Britt Cannino
Catherine Lindsey
Rhianna Goley
Lacey Hitt
Kimberly Staley
Ben Green
Jamie Goss
Nikki Cherry Crofoot
Jamie George
Rob Brisley
La Melle
Jessica Hogan
Jetara Price
Carol Motta
Kelli Dickman
Jason and Anna Bigelow
Trisha Martin Vaughan
Diana Olerich
Harshada Rajani
Amanda Siegel
Whitney Miller
Sidney Fletcher
Katie Ward Gonzalez
Rita Dixon
Adam Stiffler
Brian Harris
Alicia Inshiradu
Lindy Galloway
Angela Kennedy
Donna Kidwell
Ashley Tabor Trotter
Drew Moody
Annie Fowler
Madeline Williams
Savana Hamm
Katelyn Rondinaro
Andrew Snow
Dylan Patterson
Alex Stone
Sally Moody
Adam Haynes
Ashley Hollenbeck
Cynthia Cheatham
David Jeffers
Dana Wheless
Chase Reiss
Charlie Stern
Josh Watson
Heath Bush
Christine Cleary
Kristin Bachman
Shabazz Born
Holly Nevenner
Melissa Bremner
Shawn McGill
Jessica Wilkerson
Dedi Gather
Amanda Singletary
Johnny Krevens
Maureen Saxe
Nicole Ferguson
Meghan Manisero
Taylor Sons
Vanessa Moser
Laurie Lydem Shelton
Kalyn Nicholson
Erika Geisel
Tricia Melvin
Chelsea Overs
Virginia Wallace
Suzanne MacD
Pam Davis
Stephen Scott
Captain Obi Kaldur Herring
Elizabeth Hart
Thank you all so much.
Check me out at a show or email me. Peace/love and goodwill.
I’m going, going, back, back, to Carrboro, Carrboro.
Congratulations to the other three finalist: Matt White, Kevin Kinner and Matt See.
I wanted to make this post like the bomb digity…..with fancy explosions and many, many thank you’s but I can’t…I am so tired. I truly apologize. God is Good and I want to thank every person who has helped me along this journey of Carolinas Funniest Comic.
Notably -
my family, my friends who have reached out during so, Anthony Crawford, Jenny Chalikean, Jay Stadler, Derick Deaton, Kevin Kinner, Maria Sadler, Matt White and Eric Trundy. And my sister Erin…
Tracy Cate, I expect a hug whenever we run/roll into each other and I don’t know what thats about….. but I am sure glad we met.
thoughts, love and prayer in memory of Jason Motta
AHHHHHHHHHH, I’m just a little excited….
So people keep asking me “Hey Leo, how did it go?”
This is my answer,
It was a special night. Sitting behind the stage, sharing skittles, encouraging each other and truly meaning it. That was special. While we all wanted each other to do our absolute best, each of us zoned out preparing to perform whether that meant pacing, writing on paper, looking at a phone, or inhaling skittles (me)..
Am I disappointed that I didn’t make it in the top 3? Yeah, I worked really freaking hard on my set.
Am I disappointed that I didn’t win first place? Yes, like I said, I worked really freaking hard on my set, geesh.
I had a full circular joke, multiple call backs, references to the venue, references to the competition and my set was more than jokes, it was a part of me that I shared. But actually I’m okay with not winning, because I guess I have to be… because thats how competitions work. right? If you dont win, you lose, right? right? and when you lose…you cry.right?.and when tears aree comming doown its harddd to typpe. and thinnggs start to fall apartttttttttt and then you write a blog about how you will do better next year BECAUSE THATS A GREAT IDEA.
If I’m not on Saturday Night Live by this time next year, then plan on this….Me, rolling to wherever the Finals are or walking (it’s possible), talking for about 15 minutes, picking up a trophy or a crown or both and a $1000.00 check, and then giving an accaptance speech similar to this:
I want to thank God, my dad, my mom (who I truly believe is in heaven) I love you mom. I miss you so much, my family, my friends, all my fans, and the judges I guess (eye roll) goodnight.
If you are a comedian and you are considering the UCC, do not hesitate. The UCC has forced me to get better in order to compete with other great talent. I feel like I have grown in my writing as well as my performing. The Idiot Box is a really fun atmosphere, everybody is really supportive and not everyone is as competitive as me. If you are a fan of comedy then you should definitely put this on your calendar. Comics from all over NC come to share their style and their original material. I have made new friends, networked, performed in multiple cities, created short films, joined writing groups and have made some incredible memories all through the UCC.
See you next year, Lord willing.
I would like to thank the National Association of Workshop Directors and the National Conference on Student Activities for inviting me Pinehurst, NC to share my story.
A special thank you to Colby, Elliot, Kim, and Nikki. You are family to me.
I hope my journey inspires others to always look up and to always love.
http://reumors.typepad.com/reumors/2012/11/cant-wait-for-the-conference.html