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Promotional art for Standing In The Middle
Cover image credit: Promotional image via Comedy Dynamics

Standing In The Middle

William Lee Martin

Comedy Dynamics · 2019 · 58 min

A Texas father sorts through marriage, kids, and men's shapewear.

Watch on Comedy Dynamics(opens in a new tab)

Released , on Comedy Dynamics.

William Lee Martin builds his set around the domestic compromises of middle-aged suburban life, from the indignity of squeezing into men’s Spanx to the culture clash of welcoming a Mexican son-in-law into a Texas household. The 2019 release arrived via Comedy Dynamics following Martin’s decision to retire his longtime stage persona, Cowboy Bill, in favor of straightforward autobiographical storytelling. Directed by Brandon Jones, the set avoids profanity entirely, leaning on club-tested timing and specific routines about raising five children, marriage, and an aging grandmother’s stubbornness.

Notable bits & set list

1 bit

  1. The political extremes versus the 80% in the middle

    Observes that 10% of America is far left and 10% is far right, leaving the 80% in the middle wishing the other 20% would shut up so everyone can get on with their lives.

How it plays

Tone
Relatable, witty, smart, and family-accessible without adult language.
On stage
Gentlemanly Texan roots delivered with genuine charm, wit, and a bite of sarcasm.
Pace
Rapid laughs-per-minute storytelling style.
About
middle-class life, marriage, raising five children, political divide in America, family relationships

What the critics said

Praised as relatable, hilarious, smart comedy with rapid laughs-per-minute storytelling suitable for family audiences.

In the room: Resonant and agreeing crowd response during recording.

Summed up from reviews, articles and listings. Sources: comedydynamics.com, imdb.com, primevideo.com, allmovie.com, broadwayworld.com, tubitv.com, voyagedallas.com.

Backstory

Reflecting on middle-aged, middle-class life in Texas, raising five children, and navigating a divided, rapidly shifting America.

Details

Released
Runtime
58 min
Where
Comedy Dynamics
Director
Brandon Jones
Topics
After
The Nutcracker (2019)

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