Stand-Up Comics Bring Laughter Along with Christian Testimony
by Mary Rettig
February 17, 2005
(AgapePress) - The president of a Christian production company says people are looking for more wholesome entertainment alternatives for their families. One way he's tried to fill that niche is by funding a full-length clean comedy film.Stanley Rose founded "Laugh Out Loud Productions" three years ago because he wanted to make "clean comedy" a household phrase. Now the company has produced its first film: The Clean Stand-Up Comedy Tour, starring Christian comedians Michael Joiner, Thor Ramsey, Carlos Oscar, and Michael Jr.
The four comedians have on such sets as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, A&E's Evening at the Improv, and Comedy Central. All of them, says Rose, have strong Christian testimonies -- and have had positive impacts on the people performing with them -- even when they are in a secular environment.
"When they play with Chris Rock or somebody who's famous for kind of being foul-mouthed, [the other comedians] really, really turn around," Rose says. "As a matter of fact, Michael Jr. did a show [with Chris Rock] and when he was done, he told Michael Jr. [that] it just dawned on him that he never said a single dirty word. Chris Rock was real impressed with that, and it made him think."
According to the LOL website, their featured comedians work hard to keep their material "fresh, hip and relevant." They must also meet other criteria such as no profanity, vulgarity, sexual references or innuendos, swearing or toilet humor.
Rose explains that the featured comedians on the movie show they can be comfortable and funny in any setting.
"They can actually headline the Improv, which they do -- or they can play a church and be just as comfortable," he explains. "They don't change their [routine] at all; it's the same set. They're just really grounded. They talk about life, which as Christians, that what we do: we live life. We don't live like ostriches with our heads in the ground."
Rose says television, film, and national retail distribution for the movie are pending.
Mary Rettig, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
