People might be sick of hearing me talk about Tampa Fringe because I talk about it a lot lately. Beyond that, people might wonder why I talk about it so much.

Here’s why: quite simply, I love it. And here’s why I love it.

For starters, Fringe is a community and it’s nice to be part of a community. I used to feel that way about stand-up comedy in Tampa, but for various reasons (people leaving, new people coming in, venues coming and going, other misc. reasons), that really doesn’t exist anymore. That might be a somewhat organic evolution. I don’t know, but it’s different now.

Because of Fringe, I’ve met some of the most incredibly talented, kind, supportive, weird, cooperative people, all my favorite traits.

The reason those people (us people) are drawn to Fringe itself, as an entity, as an organism, as an outlet is… well, I’ll let Tampa Festival Producer Trish Parry explain:

“The Fringe Festival model is arguably one of the most American examples of the arts in the world. And by “American” I mean that whole up-by-your-bootstraps American Dream.

Some folks hear the word fringe and they think one of two things these days, if they don’t know about fringe performing arts: political extremes OR “weird” theatre. Yes, fringe content can be political. Yes, fringe can be weird. But these are not what FRINGE means to me.

FRINGE to me, means that everyone can get their shot.

In our fringe, and in many others, there are no gatekeepers. If you get selected via lottery, you get your spot. There’s no one denying an artist because they are an unknown, or they don’t have enough draw, or the didn’t go to the right drama school. Everyone has a chance.

Now, just because everyone has a chance, doesn’t mean everyone is successful. More than anything, it’s the hardest working artists that rise to the top. Self-marketing is key. Of course, having an excellent show, comedic timing, innovative design, impactful stories, these are also important.

But in fringe, it’s a bit of a dog eat dog, capitalistic, good-spirited somehow, may the best person win situation. And in this day of investment wealth and trust funds, I love that the Fringe Festival is a beautiful standing example of what many immigrants seek when they venture to new lands - fair opportunity.”

As a result of having that fair opportunity, some hard work and considerable luck, I’m currently producing (with the absolutely invaluable Josh Santos) a live show, “TAMPA NEWS FORCE LIVE” every month at the Fringe Theatre in Tampa until May, 2024 at least.

Occupying a theatrical residency, or doing anything in “show biz”, for that matter, shouldn’t even be a

pipedream for someone from my background but here I am. No disrespect to anybody who runs an open mic or comedy showcase; those things are really difficult to get and even harder to maintain so people who do that deserve all the respect in the world for busting their asses to make it work. But I never wanted that. I wanted something… not bigger, or better, but… different.

Again, here I am. And I plan on staying.

Come see our show!
WHO: Tampa News Force Live!
WHAT: Live multimedia comedy and variety show
WHERE: The Fringe Theatre, 1624 E 7th Ave, Ybor City
WHEN: The fourth Wednesday of every month at 8pm
Tickets are just $5 each. Seating is first come/first served and is limited.

July 26
August 23
September 27
October 25
November 22
December 27
January 24, 2024
February 28, 2024
March 27, 2024
April 24, 2024
May 22, 2024

A: Pride Month is a month dedicated to celebration and commemoration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) pride.

Q: Aren’t there more letters and symbols, like Q and plus signs and stuff?

A: I’m trying to keep this simple for you, because that approach is the most likely to… You know what? Never mind. For the sake of this article, let’s just call them “The Gays”, okay?

Q: Do I have to capitalize that? I don’t want to be accused of being a homophobe and getting cancelled.

A: It doesn't matter. Just try to spell it right.

Q: What are they so proud of?

A: Like many other cultures that have contributed to American society, The Gays have had to overcome significant obstacles just for the right to exist and this month is a designated time to celebrate the success in overcoming those obstacles and draw focus to ongoing efforts to continue because formidable problems still exist. Maybe even more so now, with the political climate.

Q: Have they really contributed anything positive to American society?

A: Whether you realize it or acknowledge it or not, the odds are approximately 1000% that at least one member of The Gays has had a positive impact on your life as an individual.

Q: Why can’t they just keep that stuff private and not flaunt it all over the place?

A: Because they don’t have to.

Q: Why do they get a whole month and Memorial Day is only one day?

A: They’re two entirely different things. Pride Month is for celebrating. Memorial Day is supposed to be a somber occasion for quietly reflecting and expressing gratitude for those who gave their lives in battle on behalf of America. Plus, nobody needs a month-long bed linens sale, which is what Memorial Day has become.

Q: When is “Straight Pride Month”?

A: Pick one.

Q: How do I explain all this to my kids?

A: How do you normally explain things to your kids? Try that. If you normally don’t explain things to your kids, try that. That’ll probably work out well.

Q: Are they trying to indoctrinate my kids?

A: No, but if they were, they’d be wasting their time because it’s been proven that you can’t “turn gay”. If your kid’s Gay, that’s already the case and nobody’s fault. It is, however, your responsibility to love and value them and raise them to be good people, regardless of their nature or orientation or preference or whatever you want to label it. So stop worrying about stupid shit and do your damn job.

Q: Why do I have to keep learning new things?

A: Why would you not want to?

Q: Because I already know everything I need to know.

A: That was not a question so it doesn’t merit a response.

Q: But I still hate all of it. What’s one simple guiding philosophy that’s going to get me through this?

This is not satire. Tampa News Force is bringing their live show, “Tampa News Force Live!” to the 7th Annual Tampa International Fringe Festival in an exciting, new-but-traditional format: a late-night TV talk show.

Seriously. The local creators of Tampa Bay-centric satire and parody will put on a show after the fashion of “The Tonight Show” (when it was good) and other staples of a soon-to-be bygone era. “Tampa News Force Live” will feature co-hosts Josh Santos and Clark Brooks, music, comedy, special guests and some surprises, all presented in front of a live “studio” audiences. Among the special guest performers will be local burlesque superstar Katie James.

HONESTLY, THIS IS THE SCHEDULE:
Thursday, May 11, 8:45pm
Friday, May 12, 10:30pm
Saturday, May 13, 10:30pm

All performances will be presented at Screen Door: An Ybor City Microcinema – 1624 E 7th Ave #228, Tampa, FL 33605, in Ybor’s historic Kress Building

Here’s where you can really buy tickets to this 100% real, taking-place-in-actual-reality show:

This link is totally legitimate for the legal purchase of tickets to see this show which is a real show

Plus, there’s a special Fringe Festival Sneak Preview Grand Opening tomorrow (Wednesday) at the Kress Building in Ybor at starting at 6pm.

Tickets for that are here (and they’re FREE)

PERFORMER BIOGRAPHIES

TRUE FACTS ABOUT JOSH SANTOS: An original founder of Tampa News Force, Josh is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and now performs stand-up comedy all over the Tampa Bay Area in addition to providing digital media consultations and production services to clients of all industries. His work includes TV Broadcast Spots, Film Premieres, Social Media Ad Campaigns, Email Campaigns, Magazine/Print Design, Web Design and Management.

REAL INFO ABOUT CLARK BROOKS: Hailing from Benton Harbor, Michigan, Clark serves as the Senior Supreme Executive Content Editor and a contributing writer for Tampa News Force. He is also a stand-up comedian who has performed with acclaimed comics like Josh Blue, Nick Griffin, Lynne Koplitz, and Carl LaBove among others. To date, he has authored two books.

THE TRUTH ABOUT KATIE JAMES: Katie James, known as “The Bombshell Ballerina,” has been bringing her unique brand of beauty and poise to burlesque stages around the world on land and sea for the past twelve years. As a third-generation dancer/burlesque performer, bumping, grinding and ballet are in her blood, and she has nearly a lifetime of professional dance training to back it up. Katie is also a powerhouse producer and the mastermind behind “Femmes & Follies,” the largest show in Tampa for 9 years running, enjoyed by diehard burlesque fanatics and newcomers alike. Though it’s not just audiences who’ve enjoyed the fruits of Katie’s labors—over the years she has raised over $100,000 with her annual animal rescue benefit show. Outside of burlesque, Katie enjoys working as a backup dancer for rock bands and empowering others to rekindle their sex appeal through movement in her classes.

NO LIES DETECTED ABOUT TAMPA NEWS FORCE: Tampa News Force (TNF) was created by John Jacobs and Joshua Santos and serves as an outlet for producing a variety of comedic content. TNF publishes comedy content daily at 

https://tampanewsforce.com

 as well as producing films, video sketches, live shows and more. To date, TNF has provided a creative platform for more than 60 local comedians, writers and other performers. 

And I’m okay with that.

I have to be VERY careful with what I can or even want to say about my departure from that organization so I’m going to kind of dance around that specific aspect.

Let’s see…

I’ll start with saying that I’m actually relieved. For a long time, I was not enjoying a job that I used to love. That source of stress is over. There’s a lot of talk about workplace culture these days and the changing of that culture was a factor.

Kind of weirdly, I don’t hold any bitterness toward the team. I still watch Lightning games and I don’t root for them to lose. I hope there’s another deep playoff run, ideally ending with another Stanley Cup. I mean, Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman never did me wrong and I still live in Tampa. That’s probably not how I would have handled things in the past. The Chicago White Sox fired me when I was 25 and I still hate them. I think that might be a sign of maturity on my part. If so, it’s about time.

I don’t care for the uncertainty that comes with making this change under these circumstances. That’s temporary, though. I’ve already found something and I’m optimistic about that opportunity. My self-confidence has taken a severe hit though, and it feels like that’s going to take a while to recover. Historically, I have felt like I’m pretty great, at least at some stuff, but I don’t feel that way now. I’m not sure I know how to get back on my feet in that regard. I get out of bed every morning. I hope that’s a start. I don’t know what else to do. Seems like there’s no good alternative.

The Veterans Administration has been tremendously helpful on a number of fronts. There’s a stereotype that the VA is an underfunded, ineffective, mismanaged, understaffed bureaucracy and in my experience, that simply isn’t true. I’ve dealt with nothing but sincere, competent, conscientious professionals who have made really effective resources available.

I’m really disappointed that with one notable exception, literally none of the people I worked with for more than a decade have bothered to reach out and say something. I’m not sure why that is but I’m fairly certain I don’t deserve that. I guess I was wrong about my relationships with those people. That kind of hurts.

Fortunately, I have real, actual friends who exist outside of that orbit. I’d be really struggling if not for them. I need to remain conscious and appreciative of that. I’m not a lot of fun these days and I need to make a continued, concentrated effort to not alienate those people or let them think I take them for granted. Some days, I do better at that than others.

The lesson I never seem to learn is that no job will ever love you as much as you love it.

That’s all fine; we move forward.

That all kind came to a head for me when astronaut John Glenn died in December of that year. A friend reacted to that news, commenting “that is it; I just can’t take this year anymore!” Okay, first of all the year is almost over at this point. Secondly, John Glenn was 95 when he died. He had a really good run. It’s not like he was 24 and taken out by a drunk driver. He went to space. He saw both Maine and California at the same time! I’m sure he didn’t want to die of course, but I’m pretty sure he didn’t spend his final days regretting time spent not going to Sea World or organizing his record collection.

That said, so far 2023 kinda sucks. I’ve been in the hospital. My sister was in the hospital. I’m suddenly looking for a new job. I can’t really talk about that last one right now. It’ll be fine but right now, it… well… sucks. But it’s only March and I’m not a fan. If I bought a ticket to watch a movie that started out this poorly, I’d have walked out and asked for my money back.

Plus, I realize this is a somewhat odd and hypocritical complaint from someone who wrote a book about how bad 2020 was, but that was just for funsies.

So far 2023 kinda sucks for real.

Read more

My name is Clark Brooks. I used to write a blog back before blogs evolved into podcasts. That blog’s “best of” evolved into a book.

Since then, I’ve become a professional stand-up comedian, I did sports writing for a couple of years and did some other miscellaneous fun, comedy-related things. I’m also a writer and editor for Tampa News Force, the source of a second book.. Now I’m getting back to my roots. Or regressing, depending on how you look at it.

If you want to know more about me without waiting to see if I talk about in future posts, I have a web site.

Why is the title “Needless To Say”?

Nobody has ever said, “What we need is to know the thoughts and opinions of another middle-aged white man”. But that’s who I am and that’s what I have to share. It’s probably not going to change the world or improve anyone’s life to a significant degree. Ideally, some people will find some of it entertaining, maybe even amusing. That’s the best I can pledge in terms of world-changing life improvement.

But this is the very first one and somebody already told me it’s irrelevant. That would be a source of concern if I cared. People have been telling me I’m irrelevant for years.

So what should readers expect?

I’m not sure yet, other than content I don’t post at Tampa News Force.com. Hopefully, memoir-style memories, some social commentary (aka bitching), maybe some short fiction, other stuff TBD. Right now, I’m shooting for once a month, but maybe will drop (that’s what cool people, aka “the kids”, say when they mean release or publish) stuff more frequently. We’ll see. In case it isn’t apparent, I’ve not invested a lot of planning or even thought into this yet. I think it’ll figure itself out over time. That’s what usually happens.

Is that an answer? Not really. Sorry. It’s better than “I don’t know”, in that it’s longer, but it’s the same thing. Because I don’t know. I could have said that up front. Sorry again. Oh wait, I kind of did. I take back my second sorry.

Do I have to pay for this?

Not this one. The site made me set up some financial settings when I signed up. I think there’s both free and paid options available. I selected the cheapest option available for those who pay. If you’re paying, I’ll do my best to make it worthwhile. If you’re getting it for free, hey, cool! Way to beat the system!

Honestly, I have no idea what I’m doing. I’m just a writer.

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Wow, so many buttons! I think some of them are redundant. Ha ha! Again, weeee!

Well, that’s the first one

The next one will come out next Monday and will be different than this one.

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