What happened to comic mark McCollum?

Answer 1

I saw Mark McCollum in the 1980s in the SF Bay Area, and was so sure he was going to be hugely successful that I saved one of the guitar picks he used to throw into the audience for the future riches it would bring in as a collectors' item. Years later (2009 or so) I met someone who was working the comedy circuit in the Bay Area in those days who said Mark's material was pretty much all swiped by other comics who weren't as good at comedy as they were at business (one of whom did become hugely successful and famous). Like so many other geniuses to walk the face of the earth but never get the credit due, Mark no doubt kept right no being a huge talent but never got in front of the right camera at the right time on the right day... I know another briliant comic in Montana who doesn't seem to even know how talented he is (Rich Ruggles) and the world therefore doesn't either. Glad somebody asked this question, since I've been wondering the same thing. The process of making the machine of business work is so completely different from the creative process. I hope the story of Mark McCollum gets out there as a representation of genius (not just in entertainment) that doesn't ever make it to the limelight.

Answer 2

The comic you are talking about that became famous that lifted a lot of McCullum's material, is Dana Carvey. Years ago I lived in the Bay Area down the street from a comedy club that I visited quite regularly. Saw both of these guys perform many times. I never doubted that his material was being copied by Carvey. But Carvey is the one that made it. I never went to a performance of his where he was pitching the alligator puppets. That's weird. Standup is a tough life. It takes a certain kind of person to survive in that business and be successful at it. I am grateful that I got to see them both back in the day. I really enjoyed it.