Stand-Up Comedian Tells Jokes in Traffic for 50 Cents Apiece - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

catlover79 · 08-30-2010, 06:23 PM

http://www.asylum.com/2010/08/12/com...es-on-highway/

Bernie Mac learned the fearless stage persona that made him famous while slinging jokes on the streets and subways of Chicago for spare change. Don Hepner is taking a similar path -- an off-ramp in Iowa.

For 50 cents, the "Gong Show" veteran will yell a joke into your car window as you sit at a stoplight.

"I'm always doing crazy things," Hepner tells us over the phone while standing at his off-ramp. "Tomorrow morning I'm performing in a donut shop."

He admits the highway has been his most successful gig, but he also performs in grocery stores, Chick-Fil-As, coffee shops and bars. McDonald's, however, turned down his offer to perform.

"I read an article about how fast food chains are trying to get customers to stay in their restaurants longer," Hepner says. "So, I approached a McDonald's with the idea, but they didn't go for it. I guess they hadn't read the same article."

Hepner began performing during the stand-up boom of the 1980s and spent 13 years on the road. As clubs closed down, he took a job managing a theater in California and focused on his acting career. You may recognize him as Dr. Reynolds in the low-budget slasher film "Final Exam." No?

After being let go from his theater job, Hepner started looking at other options, which weren't plentiful in an area that he says has about "18 stand-up comics" and no comedy clubs. Then he learned that it's legal to panhandle in the city of Bettendorf if you have a panhandler's license, which is free and easy to get.

"I saw these guys at off-ramps hassling people for change -- and they don't even tell them a joke!" he says.

The stoplight stays on red for just 30 seconds, so the only jokes Hepner can tell are one-liners. For example: "My wife calls me her little lava lamp -- interesting to watch but not very bright."

"Normally, when I'm performing I'll do longer material," he says. "I have stories about teaching school and being married four times. But you can't do that here."

The response has been surprising. He has made up to $20 an hour and media outlets as far away as England have run stories on "The Off-Ramp Comic." Still there are haters who love to hate.

"Some people heckle as they drive by," he says. "Usually they're already gone, but I'll yell something back like, 'Oh yeah, well you're driving a Toyota' or 'You're a pulmonata.' Those are snails who mate alone, so it's a clean way of saying, 'Go eff yourself.'"

Janice Johnson · 08-30-2010, 07:00 PM

Lol. Oh my God....

I think comedian Russell Brand would try some crazy shait like this, because Russell is so outrageous like this!

.

catlover79 · 08-30-2010, 07:07 PM

If this guy ever comes anywhere near my car...all he'll be seeing is exhaust fumes and dust as I peel away!!!!

sara · 08-31-2010, 03:27 AM

I would probably give him 50 cents for a joke. If nothing else it sounds like it would be a nice little anecdote.

OH Nuts! · 09-01-2010, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sara

I would probably give him 50 cents for a joke. If nothing else it sounds like it would be a nice little anecdote.

I would too - sounds like a great gimmick and you gotta give him credit for pluck

Torgo · 09-02-2010, 08:59 AM

I'd ask him to autograph my Final Exam DVD!

Torgo · 09-02-2010, 09:10 AM

Here he is in Final Exam.

Crimson and Clover · 09-02-2010, 09:23 AM

id give him 50 cents to go away

08-30-2010, 06:23 PM	#1
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Stand-Up Comedian Tells Jokes in Traffic for 50 Cents Apiece http://www.asylum.com/2010/08/12/com...es-on-highway/ Bernie Mac learned the fearless stage persona that made him famous while slinging jokes on the streets and subways of Chicago for spare change. Don Hepner is taking a similar path -- an off-ramp in Iowa. For 50 cents, the "Gong Show" veteran will yell a joke into your car window as you sit at a stoplight. "I'm always doing crazy things," Hepner tells us over the phone while standing at his off-ramp. "Tomorrow morning I'm performing in a donut shop." He admits the highway has been his most successful gig, but he also performs in grocery stores, Chick-Fil-As, coffee shops and bars. McDonald's, however, turned down his offer to perform. "I read an article about how fast food chains are trying to get customers to stay in their restaurants longer," Hepner says. "So, I approached a McDonald's with the idea, but they didn't go for it. I guess they hadn't read the same article." Hepner began performing during the stand-up boom of the 1980s and spent 13 years on the road. As clubs closed down, he took a job managing a theater in California and focused on his acting career. You may recognize him as Dr. Reynolds in the low-budget slasher film "Final Exam." No? After being let go from his theater job, Hepner started looking at other options, which weren't plentiful in an area that he says has about "18 stand-up comics" and no comedy clubs. Then he learned that it's legal to panhandle in the city of Bettendorf if you have a panhandler's license, which is free and easy to get. "I saw these guys at off-ramps hassling people for change -- and they don't even tell them a joke!" he says. The stoplight stays on red for just 30 seconds, so the only jokes Hepner can tell are one-liners. For example: "My wife calls me her little lava lamp -- interesting to watch but not very bright." "Normally, when I'm performing I'll do longer material," he says. "I have stories about teaching school and being married four times. But you can't do that here." The response has been surprising. He has made up to $20 an hour and media outlets as far away as England have run stories on "The Off-Ramp Comic." Still there are haters who love to hate. "Some people heckle as they drive by," he says. "Usually they're already gone, but I'll yell something back like, 'Oh yeah, well you're driving a Toyota' or 'You're a pulmonata.' Those are snails who mate alone, so it's a clean way of saying, 'Go eff yourself.'" Attached Images
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08-31-2010, 03:27 AM	#4
sara Member Senior Member Join Date: May 21, 2002 Location: grandville michigan Posts: 2,296	I would probably give him 50 cents for a joke. If nothing else it sounds like it would be a nice little anecdote.
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09-02-2010, 08:59 AM	#6
Torgo Omaha & Fritz Forum Star Join Date: Mar 06, 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 19,037	I'd ask him to autograph my Final Exam DVD!
	__________________ "I'm going to go do something productive. I'm gonna go watch television." - Ray Peterson, The 'burbs "I am the literary equivalent of a Big Mac and Fries." - Stephen King "There's nothing wrong with G-rated movies, as long as there's lots of sex and violence." - Elvira

09-02-2010, 09:10 AM	#7
Torgo Omaha & Fritz Forum Star Join Date: Mar 06, 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 19,037	Here he is in Final Exam. Attached Images

09-02-2010, 09:23 AM	#8
Crimson and Clover Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 09, 2002 Location: NC Posts: 17,345	id give him 50 cents to go away
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08-30-2010, 07:00 PM	#2
Janice Johnson Commercial Lover Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 30, 2003 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 4,740	Lol. Oh my God.... I think comedian Russell Brand would try some crazy shait like this, because Russell is so outrageous like this! .

08-30-2010, 07:07 PM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	If this guy ever comes anywhere near my car...all he'll be seeing is exhaust fumes and dust as I peel away!!!!