August 8th, 2019

Becoming Eddie Murphy

In the latest Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee with Eddie Murphy there's several great moments where he explains what it took to become Eddie Murphy. My favorite one is at 34:50 (video) where he describes how he'd work clubs in the early days. #

"On the weekend I would go to the early show at the East Side Comedy Club, then I would get to the last spot in the early show at the Rainy Night House, then I'd go to the Comic Strip and do the first spot in the late show, and then drive back out to Long Island and do the last spot in the late show. Do like 5 or 6 sets." #

In software we're still so often told that if you're working hard you're being stupid, but to me there's no replacement for putting in the hours. Especially in the early days and maybe that pays off later in not having to work as hard but people who tell you they did it without the hours are outliers and more often than not selling the dream of an easy path. #

“There are some things you can’t learn from others. You have to pass through the fire.” —Norman Douglas #