Erie, PA — Amateur stand-up comedian Eric Steffano recently learned that there is no confidentiality in comedy, as he began his set proclaiming, “I know that therapy could help, but screaming obscenities on stage is cheaper.”
Steffano proceeded to say to an audience that, unbeknownst to him, included his ex-wife’s attorney, “Since quarantine, I’ve spent my time day drinking. I’m not homeschooling my kids! Those teachers need to get off their Zooms and back into the classrooms.”
While doctors, therapists, and other medical professionals must maintain confidentiality under HIPAA, an open mic audience on a Tuesday night in your local bar is not bound by privacy restrictions. Child custody officers, employers, ex-wives, and even your mom can quickly learn of the things you admit on stage and use it against you.
“And you know how when you are at work, and day after day, customers ask you the same fucking question and you just want to grab them by their ears and shake them,” Eric continued, in what became an obscenity filled tirade about the inner monologue that continuously plays in his head while he is working.
The next day, Eric was disciplined at work for participating in activities that reflect negatively on the integrity of his employer. The very same afternoon, a motion was filed with the Erie County Family Court to limit visitations with his children, so that Eric no longer has them on days where he would be responsible for facilitating distance learning.
Eric’s ex-wife’s attorney did get a chuckle from his set however, summing up the situation saying, “Had Eric spent time on a therapist’s couch, instead of a on a stool on stage, he would have had a safe, confidential, and HIPAA-protected place to deal with his issues.”
By Aaron Stephens
The Bringer 