I, David Oaks, PsychoQuad, 1st “Stand-Up Comedy” July 30, 2016, “Bleepin’ Funny” Sam Bond’s Garage, Eugene, Oregon (Both 5 & 10 min versions)
UPDATE: Both a five-minute edited version and a ten-minute full version of my Sam Bond’s Summer 2016 comedy can be found below now for your viewing pleasure. In a while we will post the February 2017 return to the stage, thanks David Zupan, you are a real friend! We have also updated additional info after the videos, including links.
Below, you can watch the both a five-minute and ten-minute video of me, David W. Oaks, getting laughs and a standing ovation, with captions, of my stand-up comedy, Summer 2016.
Before I broke my neck in 2012, I was director of MindFreedom International with more than 40 years as a community organizer. I am a human rights psychiatric survivor activist and I have spoken in a dozen countries. This is my first paid public speaking gig after my fall. I praise the great disability support I receive, “Keep Eugene Weirdest!”
Five-minute version:
Ten-minute version:
This full version of the comedy, with the popular line “Hey you’re all going to die!” can be appreciated by anyone, but includes a few local references:
- Oregon Country Fair is a huge gathering each July near Eugene in the woods, with thousands of volunteer-participants. I am an Elder there. Just use your search engine to watch images and video of Oregon Country Fair, to try to get an idea of this wild event!
- George Braddock at OCF, helps organize the huge Ritz sauna there, and is an expert on disability, especially bathrooms. Just search for the following phrase to try to get an idea of George’s imagination: ritz oregon country fair
- Making a news announcement here, I say I am running against Rep. Pete DeFazio (D-OR) as a write-in this election, because of Pete’s co-sponsorship of a bill that would increase forced outpatient psychiatric treatment. I call this the “Bill Cosby School of Mental Health,” and I wonder if Pete needs psychiatric help, first. You may view news about a visit to Rep. DeFazio’s office by a few of us to make this point, here: http://www.davidwoaks.com/awards-to-pete-defazio-opposing-forced-psychiatric-drugs
- This public gig was at the monthly stand-up comedy event at a community gathering place, Sam Bond’s Garage. “Bleepin’ Funny” happens every month led by comedian Leigh Anne Jasheway, who can be seen sitting near the front of the crowd. Check the Sam Bond’s website toward the end of each month. On Facebook you may check the page for Leigh Anne Jasheway.
- Also, on the stage you can see one of my several employees, Ian.
- I often have creative events at Kesey Square, in downtown Eugene, named for my friend, the late Ken Kesey, local author of the book One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Search this blog for several events we have held in the square: kesey.
- For instance, on November 4, 2016: You can read more about this free tour on my blog at: http://www.davidwoaks.com/keep-eugene-weirdest
Below you will find a transcript of my comedy:
First, my five-minute version:
“Bleepin’ Funny Comedy Night” 5 minute version at Sam Bonds; Eugene, Oregon on July 30th, 2016
DAVID OAKS
PsychoQuad
So, everybody, I am David Oaks, PsychoQuad. [applause, cheering]
A funny thing happened on the way up a ladder to get our cat, Bongo.
Now this was in December, 2012, which you call the end of the Mayan calendar.
Right? I did not believe in that BS.
So my shoes were wet, and in going for Bongo… and, well, I fell.
So Lee Anne Jashaway [hostess for this comedy night] suggested I talk about the worst case scenario.
Hey, you’re all gonna die. [applause, cheering] Thanks.
No, really, the moment I fell I got more labels.
But I had an advantage.
In ancient days, 40 years ago, I was a working class kid going to Harvard
and it flipped me out.
So I ended up in a psychiatric institution five times and it flipped me out.
Alright. So a dozen shrinks diagnosed me as psychotic. It’s true.
That means “psychotic,” that means… [pause]
Hey, bar guy!
Hey, bar guy! If you make a noise, I’ll get your address and be in your life! [applause, cheering]
Is that clear? Alright.
Anyway, so there I was, now with a psychiatric label.
I’ve had a lot of time to think. 4,000 hours of NPR. [laughter]
alright. My main label is not what you think.
My main label is, I see some of you, “White Older Guy.”
“White Older Guy” or a WOG. [loud laughter] That’s my label.
Now, we’ve had a good run. 10,000 years.
OK, we’re about to leave. We’re shuffling off. Alright.
Alright. Please, please, learn from our mistakes. [loud laughter]
Please. It’s your planet but uh….
So, I do not recommend that you break your neck anywhere. [laughter]
But if you have to break your neck, do it here, Eugene, Oregon.
And my goal now, I want to be the weirdest in the world.
Weirdest in the world!
You heard about Mohammed Ali? “Greatest.”
I want to be weirdest.
And I say we all in Eugene… Screw Portland. [laughter]
What do you mean, “Keep Portland Weird”?
Keep us weirdest!
Thanks much.
[loud cheering, standing ovation]
Here is the full ten-minute version:
[revised 10/31/16]
“Bleepin’ Funny Comedy Night” 9.25 min. version at Sam Bonds; Eugene, Oregon on July 30th, 2016
DAVID OAKS
[applause] Ian’s great. Thank you, Ian. Let’s hear it for Ian. [applause, cheering]
These guys are amazing. I have about eight employees, and they’re great. Thank you.
So, everybody, I am David Oaks, PsychoQuad. [applause, cheering]
So, ah, so really will we find something funny here?
A funny thing happened on the way up a ladder to get our cat, Bongo.
Now this was in December, 2012,
which you call the end of the Mayan calendar.
Right? I did not believe in that BS.
So my, uh, shoes were wet and in going for Bongo… and, well, I fell.
So Lee Anne Jashaway [hostess for this comedy night] suggested I talk about the worst case scenario.
Hey, you’re all gonna die. [applause, cheering] Thanks.
No, really, the moment I fell I got more labels.
But I had an advantage.
In ancient days, 40 years ago, I was a working class kid going to Harvard and it flipped me out.
So I ended up in a psychiatric institution five times and it flipped me out.
Alright. So a dozen shrinks diagnosed me as psychotic. It’s true.
That means “psychotic,” that means… [pause]
Hey, bar guy!
Hey, bar guy. If you make a noise, I’ll get your address and be in your life! [applause, cheering]
Is that clear? Alright.
Anyway, so there I was now with a psychiatric label.
I’ve had a lot of time to think. 4,000 hours of NPR. [laughter]
Alright. My main label is not what you think.
My main label is, I see some of you, “White Older Guy.”
“White Older Guy” or a WOG. [loud laughter] That’s my label.
Now, we’ve had a good run. 10,000 years.
Ok, we’re about to leave. We’re shuffling off. Alright.
Alright. Please, please, learn from our mistakes. [loud laughter]
Please. It’s your planet but uh….
So the number one group to help me
over the last 42 months is surprising:
It is Oregon Country Fair. [cheering] They win.
I don’t know if they were aware they were competing,
but wow I mean, you have got Debra, my wife, who is way ahead
ah, accessibility workers, you name it.
My bathroom is by George Braddock at the Ritz.
I mean wowie zowie.
So, I do not recommend that you break your neck anywhere. [laughter]
It is a tough way to be surrounded by great people like Ian and Emily.
But if you have to break your neck, do it here, Eugene, Oregon.
And my goal now, I want to be the weirdest in the world.
Weirdest in the world!
You heard about Mohammed Ali? “Greatest.”
I want to be weirdest.
And I say we all in Eugene… Screw Portland. [laughter]
What do you mean, “Keep Portland Weird”?
Keep us weirdest.
Alright. So tomorrow I’ll be at Kesey Square.
So if you want some weird fun.
But wrapping up my eight minutes: Let me tell ya that, during the “Sunday Streets” especially at 3 PM.
I have a news announcement. All right.
I’ve known [Rep.] Pete DeFazio [D-OR] for three decades.
Pete is great. But the pressure has gotten too big.
Pete DeFazio. You are all invited to tell him you heard it here.
I am running against Pete as a write-in candidate.
David Oaks. O A K S. No E. Now you can tell Pete.
My reason is: “Pete, you’ve become the Bill Cosby of mental health.”
Repeat this joke. It’s a funny joke. [laughter]
“Pete, David Oaks says you have become the Bill Cosby of mental health.” Come on everybody. Try it out. Come on. Try it. Be revolutionary. [laughter] Try 1, 2, 3.
“Pete, you have become the Bill Cosby of mental health.
“According to David Oaks
“According to David Oaks… who is running against you.”
So, Pete, get some psychiatric help.
That’s from your psycho quad friend. By the way,
Lee Anne, you lead me. Thank you. [cheering]
[inaudible] Thanks much. You’re all so funny. I’ve enjoyed it.
We have enjoyed you for months. Thanks much.
[cheering, standing ovation]
[revised 10/31/16]
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