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How Comedy Nearly Killed Me (and how it still might).

Stand-up comedy nearly killed me, but I'm still ticking.
As some of you know, a few years back I almost died from a pulmonary embolism.   A pulmonary embolism is a sudden blockage in a lung artery. The cause is usually a blood clot  … https://rustyz.com/blog/2018/10/how-comedy-nearly-killed-me-and-how-it-still-might/

My 3 Rules of Stand-Up Comedy

There's a thing in stand-up comedy called "the rule of three." That's not what this post is about.
My 3 Rules of Stand-Up Comedy by Denver Comedian James R. Zingelman There's a thing in stand up comedy called "The Rule of Three." It's about joke structure. Like the "Three g… https://rustyz.com/blog/2018/08/my-3-rules-stand-comedy/

Every Show Is A Good Show... Because It Has To Be

When you're a professional entertainer, you get one shot to sink or swim.
I got to thinking, which is dangerous.  I was thinking about being a professional entertainer. It's weird, but when we're hired by a company or association to entertain and may… https://rustyz.com/blog/2017/11/every-show-good-show-because-it-has-be/

Glossophobia and Stand-Up Comedy

Glossophobia and stand-up comedy. Others are afraid to do what we do, but at the same time they're hesitant to pay us to do what they fear.
Glossophobia and Stand-Up Comedy. With Halloween coming up I was trying to decide what to dress up as. I wanted to be something scary. Zombies and Scary Clowns are hackneyed. Gho… https://rustyz.com/blog/2017/10/glossophobia-and-stand-comedy/

How Did You Learn How To Hypnotize?

People always ask me after a show, "How did you learn how to hypnotize?"
People always ask me after shows, "How did you learn how to hypnotize?" The answer is easy. I took classes from Gil Boyne, Gerald Kein (both no longer with us), Don Spencer and t… https://rustyz.com/blog/2017/04/how-did-you-learn-how-hypnotize/

Entertainers Behaving Badly

A story about "professional" entertainers acting non-professionally.
Yesterday I got an email from a prospective client about entertaining at a gala for a non-profit organization. I don't know yet if I'll be hired because there are still committee … https://rustyz.com/blog/2016/08/entertainers-behaving-badly/

Cam Newton and "Crushing It"

Watching Cam Newton last year with his little dab deal and his dancing and showboating reminded me of a lot of the young comedians I meet. But... after a good set instead of danci… https://rustyz.com/blog/2016/02/cam-newton-and-crushing-it/

Between a Mattress and a Hard Place

A little story from my road comic days.
Long ago, in 1989 or 1990 I took a long (for me) 5 week road booking.  This trip took me through Michigan and Ohio. I remember the first 2 weeks, in Michigan being pretty good.… https://rustyz.com/blog/2015/11/between-mattress-and-hard-place/

Being Funny When Your Heart Feels Sad

It's not always easy being funny, especially when your heart feels sad.
One of the challenges of being a comedian for a living, is being (and feeling) funny when your heart feels sad. Of course life sends a little rain into everybody's life and mos… https://rustyz.com/blog/2015/07/being-funny-when-your-heart-feels-sad/

Press From 1990

Press from my show, circa 1990.
Friday, June 1, 1990 THE HERALD, Provo, Utah Comedian Zingelman now back at Johnny B's Johnny B's welcomes the return of James Zingelman to the club Friday and Saturday nights… https://rustyz.com/blog/2015/06/press-1990/

Real Stories From the Road - The Black Anus

A True Story From the Comedy Road
Many years ago, during the big comedy scare of the late 1980s/early 1990s, I was booked on a Tribble Run.  For those of you who don't know, a Tribble Run is a (usually in the nort… https://rustyz.com/blog/2014/07/real-stories-road-black-anus/