What’s Your
“Why” for Comedy?
Years ago when I first started doing standup comedy, one of the open mics was at this local dive bar called Spankys Bar and Grill. It was a fun mic! Mostly the same crew came every week to run their jokes, and it was fun.
There was a regular comedian that would perform every Tuesday at Spankys. He was an older guy, an electrician, and he would do the same jokes that he’d read from a couple note cards…Every week. For years.
And he would love every minute of it! I lost track of how many times I heard his terrible Arnold Schwarzenegger impression, but it was his big closer…every week. And every week, he was the only person giggling.
Everyone loved this comedian though. He had become a staple at the open mic. Spankys was the only place you’d see him, and he was a super fun dude!
As a newer comic who thought he was God’s gift to the universe, I started to judge the electrician a bit. Why doesn’t he write new jokes? Doesn’t he notice he’s not getting a laugh every 10 to 15 seconds? Why is he so happy with himself every week after doing the same jokes and getting the same reaction?
Later I realized, this man was not looking to release a Netflix comedy special or drop his day job to go full time comedy. He was just a guy, who loved to come to Spankys Bar and Grill every Tuesday, and do his Arnold Schwarzenegger Puma joke, while hanging with his friends. That was what he wanted from Comedy.
I also used to judge the group of guys who would be at open mics and just dick around with each other. They weren’t funny, they gave off the vibes of the high school bullies that got their jollies from putting others down. They were like the mean girls table at a high school, just fully grown adult men. (Or at least, men in their 20’s to 30’s)
How come they only do the mics where it’s just them and their buddies, telling jokes in front of nobody, and getting no laughs? Why don’t they work at other places? Why don’t they try to expand their comedy network? Why are they so closed off from other comics and always sticking their noses up at the newer comics trying to fit in?
And then I realized that they too aren’t trying to release their Netflix special or become the next big comic sensation. For them, comedy is an opportunity to go out and hang with the guys…open mic comedy was their community. They’d probably never go further then “open mic comic” but that’s okay, because that’s all the really want out of it.
Every single comedian should ask themselves,
What do I want out of all of this?
Is it just a fun hobby? Are you trying to get better at public speaking or get out of your comfort zone? Are you trying to meet hot girls (Interestingly enough a lot of younger comics I’ve taught have referenced this as their reasoning…) Are you hoping it becomes a fun side hustle? Or, are you wanting it to become your full time gig?
When you know the “Why” you can start working on the “What” and the “How”
Every comedian should set goals for themselves. Maybe it’s to get a tight ten minutes under your belt that you can perform anywhere. Perhaps it’s to start producing your own show, or host for an open mic. Why not apply for out of state showcases, festivals, or contests? It could be as simple as finally creating the perform Schwarzenegger impression!
Goals are great! If you’re struggling to set goals for yourself as a comedian, I think the first question you should ask yourself is why are you doing standup comedy? When you figure out that answer, you’ll be able to come up goals and then pathways to meet those goals.
And let me go ahead and tell you right now, fellas…If you’re in comedy to meet the ladies…go ahead and pickup a guitar and learn Wonderwall, because that’ll help you reach your goal way faster!
Why do you do standup comedy? What are some of your goals? What is some advice you have for newer comics who may also read this post? Feel free to comment below with your thoughts, or questions you may have! I’ll be updating this blog frequently…or whenever I feel like it…and would love to interact directly with the inquires that you all have!
