JOE ROGAN vs. CARLOS MENCIA

The concept of creating is no small task. As a writer, I think it takes real guts for someone to try and string letters and words and thoughts together. Not easy.

Even if you're highly proficient at poetry, art, songwriting or wood-carving, finding that "thing" inside of you can be daunting. Hopefully, you'll be lucky enough in life to realize it.

Watch any of the dopes on "The Apprentice" trying to make commercials as they try to get the creative juices flowing and you'll see - it's hard. But somehow, we're all critics. As children of mass media, we tend to take certain creative endeavors for granted and may say movies or TV shows suck but... try doing it.

Now, that said, try being creative and funny. To me, it's a freaky-deaky notion. That's why I have a lot of respect for comedians; there's gotta be something going on upstairs in their attics that we mere mortals just don't possess. Need proof? Check out the Tom Hanks film "Punch Line" and you'll see what I mean.

Maybe you'll say I'm over thinking this whole comedy thing, but I can't imagine standing on a bare stage, mic in hand, floodlights blazing into my eyes and hearing only minimal laughter from a small audience. Crickets. Typing this, I could just feel the sweat beading up on my temple, palms getting sweaty. Thank God, I can hide behind a keyboard. If I'm funny, cool. It's just icing. If not, who gives a shit?

Now, this brings me to two mainstream comics : Joe Rogan and Carlos Mencia.

Of late, these two cats have been at each other's throats. In fact, Paris and Lindsey have nothing on these two.

So, in my best Michael Buffer voice...

"In the blue corner we have ..."

JOE ROGAN
Most people know the Newark, New Jersey-native, from TV. He was on 74 episodes of the acclaimed sitcom "NewsRadio," a co-host of the machismo babefest "The Man Show." Most prominently, however, people will undoubtedly recognize Rogan from his high profile gig as host of NBC's insanely popular and wickedly crazy reality show "Fear Factor." A bit of Rogan trivia: Did you know this dude can fight? Rogan holds a black belt and is former high-level champion in Tae Kwon Do.

"In the red corner we have ..."

CARLOS MENCIA
The Honduras-born comic left school to pursue a career in comedy just one one credit shy of a degree. After earning his chops on the stand-up circuit in such clubs as The Comedy Store, The Laugh Factory, and The L.A. Cabaret, he earned the title of International Comedy Grand Champion from Buscando Estrellas (the Latino version of "Star Search"). TV came knockin'. He eventually wound up on "In Living Color," "The Arsenio Hall Show" and "An Evening at the Improv." In 1994 Carlos hosted HBO's series, "Loco Slam." In 2001, Carlos headlined the Three Amigos tour with comedians Pablo Fransisco and Freddy Soto. In 2005, he became the host of his second television show "Mind of Mencia." on Comedy Central. Some Mencia trivia: He is the 17th out of 18 children. Damn!

Um, OK ... So where's the beef?

For the longest time, it's been rumored that Mencia steals jokes from comics, or rather, he borrows them and puts his own spin on them. You know, kinda like Quentin Tarantino and his "homage" to films that he borrows from.

Mencia pretty much has defended himself saying that he does not steal jokes. Furthermore, the jokes that do, in fact, seem similar are just that -- similar fucking jokes that any comedian worth his salt can come up with.

The reason for this post is that I find the following videos utterly fascinating to watch. Comedy, while on stage, is such a light-hearted experience for the audience member. To see such hatred and accusations fly back and forth will certainly take the fun out of watching these two guys in the future.

I'm not saying Mencia did steal all these jokes. I'm merely here to show everyone the evidence. Simply watch all of these engaging videos and answer the question for yourself.

Until next time,

-- Chesterfield

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Here's a sample of a video, posted on Rogan's web site, in which he was confronted by Mencia onstage after Rogan refered to him as "Carlos Menstealia". In front of a packed house at The Comedy Store in Hollywood, they both go at it. Rogan blantantly accuses Mencia of stealing other comedian's jokes. It's actually a little uncomfortable to watch since the crowd obviously turns against the Hispanic comic.



Here's another video asking if MENCIA STEALS FROM COSBY?



Yet another video, this time of Sam Kinison


Here's a video of MENCIA ON THE DEFENSE posted on the comic's web site



Here's a video of WHAT PAULY SHORE HAS TO SAY. Interesting since his mom owns the comedy club and Pauly's known these guys their whole career.