| 3. The Black-Jewish Comedy Tour. The Kings of Comedy tour grossed over $37 million -- more than $2 million in a four-night engagement in D.C. alone. Featuring four black comedians, Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer, D.L. Hughley, and Bernie Mac, the tour was an money-making phenomenon that barely registered on the conciousness of white people. In my tour, I'll replace two black comedians with two Jewish comedians. That way white people will buy tickets, too. Plus, it would be groundbreaking comedy entertainment. Blacks and Jews are the two ethnic minorities that have long traditions of distinctively-styled stand up humor. Sure, Bob Hope was a WASP, but Blacks and Jews far more than their share of America's greatest comedians. No one really knows why this is true (please don't say it's because they both have history of oppression -- you don't see American Indians showing up for amateur night), but someone ought to showcase them together. |
| PETE'S GREATEST BUSINESS IDEAS |
| feel free to take one |
| 4. Laughingstock. I wish I had a store that only sold things that are funny. We' offer movies, books, cartoons, and all sorts of trademarked stuff. Did you know that the estate of the Three Stooges has more than 1000 items under license? That's a lot of humor. That's also a lot of high-margin crap.. Often, when I describe this idea to someone, I hear "but that's just like Spencer Gifts." First, it's not just like Spencer's. Spencers and Laughingstock would overlap about 2% of inventory. Second, what's wrong with copying a successful business? If I could have one successful Laughingstock in a mall, I'd open up fifty. That would be fun. |
| part II |