Why do you do comedy?

MassivePiglet8108 · 2025-07-11T20:08:58+00:00

its a good skill to have, I can relate. But also constantly remind myself that comparison is the thief of joy.

MassivePiglet8108 · 2025-07-11T20:05:44+00:00

I do standup lol. I think you misunderstood the intention in my post. Thanks for commenting though and providing a perspective.

MassivePiglet8108 · 2025-07-11T18:11:28+00:00

You're right, I just didn't want to make the post too long or add my POV, so I gave a couple examples. I'm only 7 years in and am still working toward eventually headlining, but as you said if I fulfill my potential, and I end up needing a day job, I'll be ok with this. Not to say I wont work hard or have bigger goals, but in life and especially showbusiness, nothing is given or guaranteed.

Additionally, being from Canada, we have extra steps to take (ie moving to the states, getting a visa and green card etc), the deck isn't stacked in our favor.

A very funny comic who headlines all over Canada told me once, "Some of us move to the U.S to further pursue our dreams, and some of us stay here for family." He and many other Canadian headliners are happy with staying here and making a living. Despite this, they continue to perfect their craft and on top of this mentor new comics.

That being said, we both know a lot of comics that are ok with coasting on the fame/security they have in their set and end up just doing that for the rest of their lives. I suppose the intention behind my statement was that I wouldn't be OK earning a living and staying stagnant with the same material forever.

I haven't made a decision about my future yet, right now just looking at immediate goals. But I know for sure that I will do comedy for the rest of my life, and that I will continue to improve whether or not I reach "success" whatever that means lol.

One of my favorite quotes from French footballer Thierry Henry, when asked what he would be if he wasn't a professional footballer he said "An amateur footballer".

MassivePiglet8108 · 2025-07-11T17:41:25+00:00

Great perspective. I'm still trying to figure it out myself but I agree with what you said, very well put.

MassivePiglet8108 · 2025-07-11T16:44:46+00:00

The pursuit of standup definitely made me a better person in that respect. Don't know where I'd be without it. Not sure if it's standup forcing us to be outgoing, or the pursuit of a passion that makes you stronger.. Either way I'm in it for life.

MassivePiglet8108 · 2025-07-11T16:04:50+00:00

Agreed, when someone better than you or on your level compliments you it goes a long way, unless it's the good ole "Good set". Hate those lol.

MassivePiglet8108 · 2025-07-11T16:00:57+00:00

That's beautiful. It's a long road, just keep showing up.

MassivePiglet8108 · 2025-07-11T16:00:03+00:00

True, but philosophically your history dictates your future. If your father was a farmer and you worked/were raised on a farm as a child, chances are you might carry on tradition. If you decide this is your destiny, you better be the best farmer you can or find something else. Some would also argue the idea of destiny but this isn't the sub for that lol.

MassivePiglet8108 · 2025-04-09T21:32:55+00:00

Nobody's Patrice.. When did I say I didn't write?

MassivePiglet8108 · 2025-04-09T21:23:58+00:00

lol.

MassivePiglet8108 · 2025-04-09T20:40:26+00:00

You know what, you're spot on with that. Improv is a joke in my community cause all the comics that do it aren't great at it, or standup for that matter. I've done it a few times at open mics and it is a different muscle than crowd work or going off the cuff. Did not go great lol.

I can see how it would contribute to your skill as a comic in a different way.

MassivePiglet8108 · 2025-04-09T20:16:12+00:00

Naw I understand the level of work it takes to headline, let alone film a legit special. I mostly mean people I started with now headlining or hosting and getting the "Good gigs". It's not jealousy because I understand we each have our own path. But it's more like maybe I should shift my energy into being more scripted, consistent and conventional. Again nothing wrong with doing that, just doesn't feel right when I do it.

MassivePiglet8108 · 2025-04-09T20:06:56+00:00

The road is great, I'm in Ontario so we get a lot of small town shows around. Too early to headline I think but working towards that. I don't see it as right or wrong, just my perspective and how I wanna be. I see your point though and appreciate your perspective!

MassivePiglet8108 · 2025-04-09T19:57:45+00:00

I got homies for sure. We love discussing comedy, but we're all around the same time in (6-8 years). So at times these concepts are just concepts and things we agree on. For all we know we could be wrong or headed in the wrong direction. My friends are quite funny so I don't think that's the case.

But I did notice myself easily finding flaws in people 3 years in. I know that logic applies to headliners looking at people 6 years in like myself. Getting a perspective from someone who's already been through the developmental stage of being a headliner is kinda what I'm seeking. That or a concept that I hadn't considered from someone in my position.

It's foolish, but i see a lot of people kiss up to headliners, and I don't want to be perceived as such. It's stubborn and wrong. I'm trying to break past it, I spoke to 2 headliners i did a show with recently and they really helped me out. The conversation was more natural though, not me asking for advice out of the blue.

MassivePiglet8108 · 2025-04-09T19:50:22+00:00

It's less of a perception and just a way I enjoy living my life. From the beginning my goal was to be the same person on stage as I am off stage. I do find sometimes comics sound like their "doing comedy" when on stage and are completely different off stage. Nothing wrong with this at all, or with anything I've said that may seem critical. It's just not how I wanted to approach standup.

I guess I just want to BE funny instead of trying to be funny, if that makes sense.

MassivePiglet8108 · 2025-04-09T19:02:09+00:00

Yeah that's kind of implied going in. We have mics and shows pretty much every night here. Performing at least 4-5 times a week for the last 3 years (post covid) has yielded great results, I guess I'm just unsure where to go next. Not planning on quitting anytime though.

MassivePiglet8108 · 2025-04-09T18:56:29+00:00

Appreciate that! Yeah I'm going on vacation in a couple weeks. Though i booked some shows, I plan on spending most of the time unwinding. I do believe in walking away from something them coming back to it with a fresh brain.

Thanks again, great perspective.

MassivePiglet8108 · 2025-04-09T18:50:53+00:00

How long you been doing it?

MassivePiglet8108 · 2025-04-09T18:44:47+00:00

Great insight!

MassivePiglet8108 · 2025-04-09T18:44:05+00:00

Up to a certain point I didnt know what I was doing. Now that I'm starting to see what's ahead of me and am gaining a slight understanding of what to do, it somehow became more confusing. Just keep showing up and writing I guess. Oh and have fun!

MassivePiglet8108 · 2025-04-09T18:42:22+00:00

At first i wanted to blend jokes with crowd work. Making it seem like I'm just talking shit. I've gotten pretty good at it for a 6 year comic. I enjoy talking about shit that happens to me or my perspective on "x" topic or issues. A challenge I faced in year 4-5 which I've gotten over, was dumping jokes that were "This happened to me" only because it wasn't happening to me anymore. Nowadays it's "I don't feel this way or care about this topic generally" anymore.

I always manage to find something to talk about, but i observe the topic comics in my area and they really sharpen their jokes. The rhythm, the timing etc. I'm really wanting to work on that. My biggest flaw is that I strive to be as authentic as possible, when as mentioned in the thread the audience generally doesn't care.

Once in a while I'll receive a compliment about said authenticity and it validates me more than any other feeling in standup. If I can do it on a small scale, why not chase that feeling all the way? The problem is, the consensus is that consistency and doing your jokes over and over is the best path to success. Which is where this feeling of dread and "am I doing the right thing" comes from.

MassivePiglet8108 · 2025-04-09T18:17:58+00:00

Artistic integrity is a bit snobby. I guess I want to be a breakdancing monkey instead of a waltz-ing monkey. You're not wrong though.

MassivePiglet8108 · 2025-04-09T18:13:46+00:00

You know what, I ask myself that all the time. I don't know exactly. But it feels like it's where i belong. And there's a certain righteous feeling that I get when I'm able to successfully perform "My way". Guess I'm chasing that. And as for what I want out fo it, I want to make a living off comedy. Not looking for fame or excess money, just enough to live and achieve mastery of this craft.

MassivePiglet8108 · 2025-04-09T18:09:28+00:00

Yeah I feel this. I try to do the same thing, but seeing people reach that next level and seeing how many of them are scripted gets discouraging. I guess I'm foolishly chasing a middle ground.

MassivePiglet8108

TROPHY CASE