Just got in from the Comedy Store. Rome rocked the house! What do you expect?? The night was full with lots of comedians performing their acts. Rome told all of his fans to make sure they mention his name at the door, because the number of fans someone has, that determined the spot they got in the show and how long they had to perform their act. Rome got the choice spot of performing 6th. (I believe this is because he had so many fans and friends there, but that's just my guess.) Why is the sixth spot choice? Well, the night had about 15-18 comics there. If you go on too early, the audience is "cold" and it's really hard to get a laugh. If you go on too late, almost half the audience is gone, burnt out, or too drunk to care. Rome was fortunate to have some really funny comics on before him, and they really got the audience primed for laughter.

I must admit I had been containing myself because Rome had told me not to mention it, be he asked me to be a part of his act! I couldn't tell anyone ahead of time, so I had to bite my tongue. Rome asked me and another one of the samurai students to help him with a joke. Really cool, cause Rome made sure we got great seats right in front, that way he could interact with us and the whole crowd could see. It should be said that while Rome's act is HILARIOUS,  it contains a lot of sexual references and innuendo. During his act, Rome talked about teaching samurai class. He then said he was a samurai sword fighting teacher and sometimes his students call him "Master-bate" as a joke.

Rome: Where are my students?

Students: (We stand up, and speak in unison) YES MASTER-BATE!

Rome: Ahh, there you are. Did you practice today?

Students: YES MASTER-BATE!

Rome: Good, show me what you learned. 

Students: YES MASTER-BATE!

At this point I proceed to almost make a self pleasuring motion (with two hands of course) to which Rome interrupts.... 

Rome: Nevermind. 

It's more of a sight gag really, it doesn't come across nearly as funny here as it does in the show. It got a HUGE laugh and applause! It was cool to help Rome out and get in on the act. 

Aside from having about 6 of his Samurai students there (we all brought at least 1 guest, some of us 2) Rome had at least 14 of us there in support. There were TONS of Japanese people there, so I know Rome had quite a few other guests, too. When Rome was introduced as the host of ISAJGS, I heard people say "ohhh, I know him!" and things of that nature. In fact, the couple behind me were fans of the show, and they had no idea Rome was performing tonight! They were there to support another one of their comedian friends. Needless to say, they were happy to see Rome and started asking me how I knew him, etc. 

Everyone in the audience also got to have a little fun because Rome had everyone do the majide hand salute. He even did the hair slick back move like he does on the show. "Everyone together! Haaaaaiiii, MAJIDE!!" I know the couple behind me got a kick out of it, and so did I. Now we know a little what it feels like to be a contestant! I must admit that as long as I've known Rome, that was the first time I got to do the majide salute with him. 

After the show, Rome met with his students outside. He thanked me and the other student personally, for helping him with his act. Rome is really a classy guy. We invited Rome to go out to eat, but he had some friends in town so he could not come out with us afterwards. We did get him a cake and a card for his birthday, he said to bring it to class tomorrow and we'll celebrate all our birthdays together. In class we have students born on June 6, 17, 18 (me), 21, and Rome on the 26th. We all signed the card and presented it to him after the show. Rome was pleased, happy, and I dare say a little touched. 

A good time was had by all! 

Pictures and video are not allowed inside the Comedy store, so I could not get any pix of Rome's act. HOWEVER, I did get a very nice group shot outside of the store, with Rome. I also have pix from Samurai class a couple of weeks ago. I will post these on Monday when I get back home, along with the normal samurai class blog. 

Until then... 

HAAAAAAIIII, MAJIDE!!!