What do your parents think of your job?
My mom always loved me being a comedian, but I think that’s because she hoped it would lead to me becoming a co-host of a morning tv talk show. And then she would get to watch me talk about “this year’s hottest cold summertime drinks” while doing her daily stationary bike routine (20 minutes, rolling hills). And my dad is a dad, so he’s doing his best to like it! Sometimes, he actually does!
What’s the worst thing about being a comedian?
Trying to get to bed at a reasonable hour! No one wants to talk about it, but there’s a huge bias against morning people in stand-up comedy. Look at these late showtimes! Some of us can’t do it. Some of us are looking forward to herbal tea around 21h rather than doing a hot 10-minute set about online dating. That’s what I love about Fringe, you can see multiple shows before lunch. This is welcomed progress in our divided community.
I think you are very good at what you do (that’s why I’m asking these questions). What do you think of you?
Thankfully, I did my positive affirmations journaling this morning, so I can answer this. I think I’m a skilled comedian who lands on the writer side of the writer/performer spectrum. At my best, my material is tight, smart, subversive and easy to listen to. At my worst, I really rely on my smile.
How much do you earn and how much would you like to earn?
I actually just talked to my accountant (the homescreen of my Mobile Banking App) and it said that I do not earn enough and that it’d be great to earn more. In truth, all I really would like is to earn enough money so I can worry about the art more than the commerce. Even just 51% Art and 49% commerce.
How important is luck in terms of career success – have you had lucky breaks?
I think luck is an important factor in succeeding in entertainment. It’s not as important as nepotism, of course, but it’s a close second. Luck is the final element. You have to be good, you have to work hard and then, you have to be very lucky. There’s a big fixation on “transformative” breaks, but I believe in those less and less. It’s clear that major steps are the accumulation of tiny breaks. And I think I have had a few of those. The biggest one would be finding a community of comics in Chicago when I first started out. There is no substitute for finding fellow performers and writers who inspire you. Just like there is no substitute for being the child of a celebrity. Which again, would be way more helpful than everything else I’ve mentioned. If you can be a Nepo Baby, I highly recommend it.
Alan Davies has said that comedians fall into two categories - golfers and self-harmers. The former just get on with life, the latter are tortured artists. Which are you – or do you think you fit into third category?
Maybe it’s just the company I keep, but this is the first time that I’ve heard golfers are easy going. I’ve never met a golfer who wasn’t slightly masochistic. Mental anguish feels like a key feature of the sport. That’s actually why I’ve always thought of golf as an analogue for comedy. It’s very hard and takes up so much time it jeopardizes your relationships, but when you hit a great shot or have a great round, it all feels worth it. In short, please put me down as a tortured artist or self-harming golfer.
Who is your favourite person ever and why – not including family or friends or other comedians?
Very smart framing of the question. Because if you had left any opening for a non-human, I’d have answered “my dog” immediately and been done with it. But instead, I will say the author, George Saunders. His fiction is funny, weird and a little dark. His non-fiction is thoughtful, generous and nuanced. And his teaching is a mix of all the above. But more than his writing, I appreciate how he has lived a life where he has made his art alongside nurturing the artistry of others.That is not easy to pull off, but he often does. His work also brings a little more gentleness into the world. And we could always use more of that.
Do you keep your drawers tidy and if not why not? (please think long and hard about this question, it's to settle an argument with my girlfriend. The future of our relationship could depend on your response).
My drawers are tidy. However, my dresser does not have enough drawers for all my clothes. This means that many articles of clothing sit on top of the dresser – normally folded, but sometimes not. There was a time this wouldn’t have been acceptable to me, but my girlfriend operates out of “piles.” That’s the system. She keeps several piles of clothes around our room that she digs through to get dressed.
As a result, I have eased my own standards to match the vibe. If a couple shirts are loose on top of the dresser, that’s no problem. That’s just another pile. And we love piles. I hope this answer helps you and your girlfriend find peace. Or at the very least, feel better about your clothing storage lifestyle.
Lucas O’Neil’s ‘Emotional Man’ is at the Just The Tonic @ The Caves – Just Up The Road at 5.20pm from 3rd – 27th August (except 14th). For tickets go to www.edfringe.com
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