Comedy FAQ

OK then, some stuff I get asked by people about the old comedy type thing...

Q: What on Earth possessed you to do stand-up comedy?

Well, I've always loved comedy. However, at no point prior to 2005 did I ever see myself as a stand-up comedian. I've always written stuff but it's never really been overly funny (intentionally so, anyway). I am a huge, shaking bag of nerves most of the time though - and suffering from nerves and stress and stuff like that (as I do), my friend Charlotte told me about a comedy course. I paid my money and went along for the first couple of sessions, reasoning that it wasn't that much money and that I could drop out if I didn't like it. But I did like it, and by getting up on stage just in front of my workshop classmates I realized that it was something I wasn't too bad at. Then I started enjoying going and making people laugh. When I started enjoying hearing laughter, comedy was all I wanted to do.

Q: How do you get over nerves?

Most people presume through drugs or booze, but as I'm completely teetotal that's not the case. I'm not entirely sure - I'm more nervous in every day situations than I am onstage these days, with 4 years of doing this for a job behind me. All I know is that the second I step onstage the nerves vanish and I have fun.

Q: What do you do if people don't laugh?

Move on. Don't draw attention to the gag failing. Don't dig yourself a bigger hole. And if in complete doubt, pretend you've left the oven on and run.

Q: Do you use anyone else's jokes?

Absolutely not. To do so is comedy sacrilege. And besides, I write my own stuff and get a buzz out of it making people smile. What fun would I have if I was merely relying on the hard work of others?

Q: What are you like on stage?

I've changed a lot since I started out. I used to be quite deadpan and gag based, but since I broke into being an MC I've become much more high energy and story based - down to added confidence, I suppose. I'm not quite the real me onstage, more like a hyperactive version of myself. People are often surprised at how quiet and polite I am offstage compared to the odd little man they've seen performing.

Q: What are your comic influences?

My Dad tuned me in to comedy at an early age through BBC audio cassettes on long car journeys: Round The Horne, Beyond Our Ken, Hello Cheeky, I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue, I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again, The Navy Lark... all of the aforementioned probably explain why I do love a deliberately awful gag. At least, that's my excuse.

My biggest stand-up influences are Frank Skinner, Dave Gorman, Eddie Izzard, Bill Hicks and Steve Martin. My current favourite working comics are Tony Law, Robin Ince, Jason Cook, Jason Byrne, Russell Brand, Russell Howard, Jon Richardson and Mark Watson. My tips for stardom within the next couple of years are Kent Valentine, Elis James, Danny McLoughlin, Chris Ramsey, David Morgan, Darren Ruddell and Alfie Brown.

Q: How do you prepare for a gig?

I used to just sit there trembling. These days I drive to my gigs as early as possible, have a little nap in the car and then go onstage and do my thing. I never write things down before gigs, so most of what I do remains pretty much unplanned - I figure I have enough material to draw upon and adapt to whatever chatting to the audience throws up. Thats the theory, anyway. Then after a gig I go and eat and drive home. It's not a rock and roll lifestyle.

Q: What has been your best gig (so far)?

My favourite gig of all time depends on my mood. Frontrunners are: De Montfort Hall in January 2007, appearing in front of 2,000 people in my hometown with two of my heroes (Messrs Howard and Byrne). Another hometown highlight was the Amnesty Benefit I compered in the last live show ever at the Phoenix Arts centre. The Download and Sonisphere festivals this year (2009) were amazing - especially Sonisphere where 4,000 metal fans sang happy birthday to my daughter.

Q: How do you write your jokes?

I talk to myself in my car, usually picking a random topic and starting to riff on it whilst recording myself. I then break it down into shorter sections and edit it to death until it's concise, easy to remember and punchy enough to work as a joke. I write all the time, especially as comedy is my job. I have to.

Q: How successful a comedian would you like to be?

I'd love to be some kind of Jimmy Carr-esque media spotlight showboat man, but I'm happy being a moderate success. I feel a million dollars when someone comes up to me after a gig and takes the time to say that I made them laugh, and if I can keep on doing that, I'll be happy.

Of course, I'd really like to do celebrity Big Brother...

Q: What are your tattoos of?

I have (deep breath): The letter "A" (for Amelia, my daughter) on my right shoulder. A Queens of the Stone Age lyric across the top of my back. A full sleeve on my left arm of girls from video games - including Princess Peach (Mario), Zelda and Midnah (Zelda), Toadette (Mario Kart), a Slime (Dragons Quest), Kitana and the Dragon logo (Mortal Kombat), Tifa (Final Fantasy VII), Chun Li (Streetfighter 2) and Morrigan and Felicia (Darkstalkers). On my right forearm there is a Mexican death mask, Blinky the red Pacman ghost and an Oscar Wilde quote. On my right bicep is a portrait of Ron Burgundy from the film "Anchorman".

All Material on this site copyright Jim Smallman, 2008
Powered by Excelion Design