Improv,
TALKIN’ SHOP
COMEDY OF CHICAGO:
Whenever an older veteran comic walks into an open mic, how important is it to
impress them with a good set?
JOE FERNANDEZ:
If you’re trying to impress someone, you are already worrying about the wrong
thing. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if you do well or if do poorly.
If someone big pops in and you do well, it’s not like they’re gonna go, “Hey,
I’ve been on Comedy Central, wanna do a Comedy
Central Presents?” [laughs] No,
it doesn’t happen like that.
COC: But what if
it’s your only chance for them to see you to get booked on a show?
JF: I used
to think that way. But, it’s not like people are scouting for talent at an open
mic. Even someone who runs a showcase who sees you and likes you still needs to
see you a couple more times.
COC: What do they
look for in a comic?
JF: I
think most veterans or bookers would rather see someone who is being loose and
having a good time. I don’t think they care as much about you doing well as you
seeming confident. If you are looking like you’re having a good time up there,
THAT is more impressive.
COMEDY ADVICE
COC: How can you
have a good set without focusing on the fact that you need to have a good set?
JF: Just
be present. Whenever I think I have to do well, I don’t do very well, because
now I’m not having fun. I’m focused on something else instead of being present.
Even if the set is going well, then I’m like, “Ahh but I needed an applause
break!” So, you’re focusing on the wrong thing. Just try and have more fun up
there.
COC: Do you think
that bombing at open mic hurts your reputation?
JF: That
kind of mentality is what kept me away from mics for a while, because I was
scared people would be like, “Eh, this guy’s not funny!” But, out of 40 people at
an open mic, how many do well? Maybe 1 or 2? It’s not a high percentage. That
realization should loosen you up a bit. Also, most of them don’t even care
because they’re too focused on themselves. The only way people remember if you
bomb is if you are SO insane to where they’re like, “Wow, that guy is actually
crazy!”
COC: What can be
learned from having a bad set?
JF: I
almost think a good set can be more harmful than a bad one. In the sense that,
if you have a good set, now you’re trying to recreate that night instead of
being present. Whereas if you have a bad set, you think about what mistakes you
made and you make sure they don’t happen again.
COC: 6 years into
stand up, you decided to take a year off. Why?
JF: I wrote an article, Signs
of a Dog Shit Room, because I did so many of them that it started to wear on me, mentally. I was also
dealing with small town people who all they know is Seinfeld and Jeff Dunham,
and they’re just not into a joke about a poop-marijuana-box. [laughs] I had a little bit of a mental
breakdown at that point.
COC: What were
some warning signs that made you feel like you needed a break?
JF: Clubs
would grade comics on a scale of A-F, and as a result I would pander to the
audience. Even if I had a great set, I was miserable and didn’t enjoy it
because I was doing jokes I didn’t care about. I would think about calling in sick to gigs. I would also focus
too much on doing well, as opposed to just having a good time. And comedy
should not be a job that you hate.
COC: What is your attitude
now?
JF: Now,
I’ve been having way more fun doing it because I’m not as concerned with
succeeding at it. I just enjoy doing it. So, if something comes of it, that’s
great. And if not, that’s fine, too.
COC: Are your
parents supportive of you doing comedy?
JF: My
parents have always been super supportive, it’s kind of insane. I’m lucky in
that sense. I know so many other people whose parents are pissed, saying things
like, “Why don’t you have a back up plan? It’s a hobby!” but my parents are
just like, “Go for it!” Not to rub it in for those people who have unsupportive
parents, but mine are better than yours. [laughs]
COC: What’s the
latest with ChUC?
JF: We’re
trying to do a sketch group now—live sketch once a week, and a video sketch
once a month. And specifically, we’re doing sketches that address the crowd to fit
in with the stand up mold. Hopefully that’ll bring a little more variety to the
show.
COC: Who exactly are
the cast members for ChUC?
JF: There’s
too many to even name...there’s like 17 cast members, plus the sketch group
people...
COC: How often do
comics usually get booked there?
JF: When I
was first starting out, I did ChUC maybe twice a year. And I was like, “Why am
I not getting booked more?” And then, I became a cast member and I understood
why. Because they only have maybe 1 or 2 or 3 guest spots a week—for ALL the
comics in Chicago. So, if you did it twice a year, you were getting booked A
LOT.
COC: How important
is it for comics to convey a message within their act?
JF: That’s
up to you. I’m more a fan of comedians who are just silly and absurd. I feel
like whenever people ask, “What are you trying to say with your comedy?” they
focus too much on talking about politics or religion or something, instead of just
being absurd and funny. Harris Whittels put it best when he said, “Sometimes I
think motherfuckers just want to laugh.” Just make people laugh, and be
original and unique.
COC: Any uplifting
advice to consider when comedy gets you down?
JF: At the
end of the day, we’re doing comedy! If you get too serious about it, it stops
being fun. That’s why I always keep in mind that I’m doing this to have a good
time. If you’re so concerned with doing well, it doesn’t really make sense
because there are SO many other jobs where you can be miserable at and make way
better money—or actually make money! [laughs]
So, if you’re gonna be miserable doing something, why choose comedy?
COC: Final
thoughts / words of wisdom?
Staff Writer: David Gavri
David Gavri is a stand-up comedian, writer and founder of the online comedy sites Gonzo Fame and Comedy Scene in Houston.