in the early days of the Jakarta comedy club, we had the chance to catch some comedy superstars today on their way up the ladder to fame and fortune. The headliner for our first show in April 2001 was Jason Byrne, who is now the biggest selling act of all time in the largest comedy festival in the world, the Edinburgh Festival Comedy. Jason has also published three best-selling DVD, hosts his own radio program and appeared in television movies and multiple emissions. In July 2001, we also had the chance to catch the legend of Ross Noble comedy on its way to the top. Since then he has become a household name in Australia and the UK and has a massive following of fans around the world. Over the past 12 years, we presented three Channel 4's Top 100 Comedians International UK - Bill Bailey (7) Ross Noble (11) and Emo Philips (No. 77). Not bad for a little comedy club in the middle of nowhere.
But what makes a regular comedian break the professional circuit comedy club sacred places of the famous comedy? One thing is certain, it is not only to be "funny". Comedy is so subjective, and which could have a person who rolls on the floor could very well let another person rolling his eyes. And which could lead to hysterical Pommies could well lead Ozzies drink. And even if everyone thinks you're funny, you do not guarantee you a place with Jason Byrne, Bill Bailey, Ross Noble or Emo Philips.
The one common factor that I noticed that defines people like Jason, Bill, Ross and Emo apart from the crowd is to be "different". I can not say how different because it is extremely difficult to describe, but I can tell you that "different" is the equivalent of "memorable" in this context. We have many regular customers who come to Jakarta Comedy Club from the beginning, and very often after a show and a few Bintangs we get to talk about actions we have had here over the years. These are usually the same few names that come, and invariably the person who remembers the name and act remembers a part of the act - a particular gag will stick in the memory of the person for any reason. I believe these gags stick in the memory of the people because they are different and funny, not just funny. The other thing that makes it different gag is of course how it is delivered. If Jason Byrne used a gag Emo Philips, for example, it does not necessarily work because they each have their own unique styles. So a funny and different gag, delivered in a unique way, is what people remember. Comedian Paul Ogata is a Japanese American from Hawaii and its unique and hysterical routine about Japanese culture is a world that saw remembers -. But it would not work for any other actor
So, "different" is the key factor for me that can lead to fame and fortune for a comedian. But not necessarily. We had a lot of different comedians and funny TLC over the years, but only a handful have become famous. So, success in the field of comedy, as in almost all other businesses, is to work hard to have a product that is unique or different in some way, and a hell of a lot of luck.
People often ask me which is my favorite comedian is the last 12 years, but I can not answer that question without offending someone. The vast majority of actors we had here was an absolute pleasure to be around and we only ever had one or two acts "bombed". Great jokes or repeated acts are one thing and can be hilarious, but the funniest things I've heard in my life have been said on the spur of the moment or "on the fly" without rehearsal or forethought. These comments are made possible by the mind and quick thinking, and they are much funnier to me for that reason - and they are "unique" and "different" because nobody ever told them before. The problem is they are not usually funny at the time, "he had to be there", so there's no point in me share one of them with you. The only thing remotely funny about this article is the title, and it's only funny if you're a fan of Monty Python, and even then it is only a little funny because it is unexpected and the irony. an article on comedy that's not funny. Har-de-har-de-har.