Humor, it turns out, is not a necessary ability to survive, and like musical talent is only a sexual ornament according to survival evolutionist Matthew Ridley of Red Queen fame. Although not crucial, the ability to “be funny” is very powerful in human interaction and holds a high social value for mating. Ok, enough of the scientific hub bub. That’s a whole other article.
To put it simple everyone loves a comedian. No. Everyone loves a good comedian. Even though I’m not a comedian, as a general consumer of media and lover of comedy shows, I can help give some common sense tips on how one would become one.
As a child I used to watch USA’s late night stand up comedy shows as well as HBO specials, so that makes me an authority. Not really, but hear me out. I’ve actually read a lot of bios on how some comedians made their break. The first two suggestions are really more of a mind set verses the how, the last tip shows how to start.
Persistence
As with any successful venture that many have tried and failed at, like Napoleon Hill discovered you must have a burning desire and be willing to constantly improve.
Fame is sought after by many, but only achieved by few. To be a truly great comedian you have to perfect your art by failing often. The faster your material fails, the better. The faster you experience different audiences the better.
Find Models
Like Tony Robbins says, another success mechanism is finding models to base your style off of. No, I didn’t say copy your style. Since humor and being a comedian is more about finding and being a character verses the jokes and lines, you can find those models of characters you want to be. A few categories:
Neurotic New Yorker/Jewish – Jerry Seinfeld, Ray Romano, Carroll O’Connor.
Ethnic Humor – David Chappelle, Chris Rock
Sarcastic & Sad – Dennis Leary, Janeane Garofalo
Proper Humor – The Amazing Jonathan, Carrot Top, Jeff Dunham
Main Stream & Energetic – Dane Cook, Paulie Shore
Just do it – Start the Open Microphone Circuit
I’ve heard stories of Ellen Degeneres, Jeff Foxworthy, even Jerry Seinfeld starting out on the open mic circuit. Open mic is where at least one night a week a comedy club or bar gives anyone and everyone who can utter a semblance of rhetoric the opportunity to get in front of an audience for 2 – 7 minutes. Open mic in general has a mix of artists including poets, acoustic guitar acts, and comedians. Some are known just for one performance theme over another.
Either way it seems many beginning comedians get their feet wet by participating in every open mic they can, as often as they can early in his/her career. It’s a hard life and you don’t get paid when you first start. The hope is you can test your material and catch the eye of the club owner who may or may not have you perform regularly with a paid booking.
Persistence, finding models to build your character, and then just doing it-starting on the open mic circuit are all ways to get your strand up comedy career started. Just think, when you tell your friends and family you’re a comedian the first thing they will say is, ” Be funny.” Sound like fun?
Neil Lemons represents Comedy Defensive Driving, a state approved Texas defensive driving online course. Since 1989 Comedy Defensive Driving has helped dismiss traffic tickets and lower insurance rates. Learn about their Texas Defensive Driving program, or any other Texas city by visiting their website: http:www.comedydefensivedriving.com
