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Stand-Up Comic Makes Science Funny

Hugh Pickens writes "The San Fransisco Chronicle is running a story about Brian Malow, a stand-up comedian who has showcased his science-centric stand-up humor for more than a decade in comedy clubs, at conventions and for corporate clients across the country. Fortunately, club patrons don't need a degree in quantum mechanics to appreciate one-liners like 'I used to be an astronomer, but I got stuck on the day shift,' 'I just started reading, "The Origin of Species." Don't tell me how it ends!' or that he 'attended a magnet school for bipolar students.' While his show is very rational and based on hard science, Malow cleverly infuses it with an abstract or surreal comic twist." Hugh Pickens continues: "Like observing that whenever his mother would lose weight, his father would gain weight, and then linking the two by a fundamental law of nature. 'It was like the Conservation of Mass within our family,' says Malow, adding that 'fat can neither be created nor destroyed.' Last year Malow performed for colleagues at NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena. 'We found his humor delightfully nerdy, and he fitted right in,' said Kevin Grazier, who is a planetary scientist and author. 'It's one thing to make people laugh when they're sitting in a darkened club room, with a few drinks in them. It takes real talent to be funny in the afternoon, in a work environment.' Malow's interest in science and nature also extends to his passion for insects, with Web site InsectPaparazzi, and he has even discovered a species of fly. 'Of course, I found it in Golden Gate Park,' he says. 'So it may have just been a tourist.'"

13 of 126 comments (clear)

  1. A neutron walked into a bar and asked by Average_Joe_Sixpack · · Score: 4, Funny

    "How much for a drink?"

    The bartender replied, "For you, no charge."

    1. Re:A neutron walked into a bar and asked by zwekiel · · Score: 5, Funny

      The proton told the electron something he just couldn't believe, so the electron asked the proton, "Are you sure?"

      The proton replied: "I'm positive."

      Yup, a career in standup is definitely in the cards for me.

    2. Re:A neutron walked into a bar and asked by philspear · · Score: 4, Funny

      Here's one I made up a while ago:

      Fluoride says to oxygen "You're always so negative."

      Oxygen says: "How ionic that you would say that."

    3. Re:A neutron walked into a bar and asked by thefekete · · Score: 5, Funny

      So this bar walks into a guy... oh sorry, wrong frame of reference.

      --
      The cool things is to have windows that bounce up and down like a good tits.
    4. Re:A neutron walked into a bar and asked by Toonol · · Score: 5, Funny

      Renee Descartes walked into a bar.

      Bartender asked, "Would you like a drink?"

      "I think not!" exclaimed Descartes, and disappeared.

  2. Don't tell me how it ends! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    'I just started reading, "The Origin of Species." Don't tell me how it ends!

    Turns out the zebra did it.

    1. Re:Don't tell me how it ends! by boarder8925 · · Score: 4, Funny

      'I just started reading, "The Origin of Species." Don't tell me how it ends!

      Turns out the zebra did it.

      Damn you!

  3. Why did the mathematician... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Q: Why did the mathematician have complex numbers on his telephone?

    So he could call all his imaginary friends.

  4. Getting out of a speeding ticket by Faizdog · · Score: 4, Funny

    Whenever I've gotten a speeding ticket, I've thought about arguing with the Judge that the cop was lying on the ticket. He noted both where I was and how fast I was going, and since he can only measure one of those things, he's clearly lying about the other.

    --
    -"Those who fought today will die tommorow."-
    1. Re:Getting out of a speeding ticket by Amazing+Quantum+Man · · Score: 4, Funny

      There's an old joke about a guy who got a ticket for running a red light. He argued in court that the Doppler Shift made the light appear green.

      The judge agreed with him that the original ticked was no good, and then fined him... for speeding.

      --
      Fascism starts when the efficiency of the government becomes more important than the rights of the people.
    2. Re:Getting out of a speeding ticket by WoodenTable · · Score: 4, Funny

      A speeding ticket for going 207,520,611 kph?! But this whole area is zoned as a hyperspace express route! That's way below the speed limit. And the maximum will be even higher when they finally get rid of that big rock in the way, I imagine.

      What's this judge up to, I wonder...

  5. Quantum Physics by DJ_Perl · · Score: 5, Funny
    Q: A Quantum Physicist was in bed with a paramour, when his wife walked in. What did he say?

    A: Wait, I can explain Everything! It's not what it looks like!

    --
    -- Subvert the dominant paradigm. Repeat as desired. http://ownlifeful.com/
  6. Re: discovering a species of fly by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    You're pretty fly for a science guy