Ismo Leikola started his comedy career in 2002 in Finland and moved to Los Angeles, California in 2016. He is now performs regularly at the Laugh Factory, where he won The Funniest Person in the World competition in 2014, the Comedy and Magic Club and the Ice House. He has already appeared in NBC‘s Last Call with Carson Daly and been the headliner in Tropicana Casino in Las Vegas and Silver Legacy Casino in Reno. He performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2015 and the New Zealand international Comedy Festival 2016.
Ismo also has a successful career in Finland, including his own sitcom, ISMO, three DVD releases 2008-2016 and numerous sold out nationwide concert hall & theatre tours.
Ismo Leikola plays the Leicester Square Theatre on Wednesday, November 1. Tickets here.
1. What is the last thing you do before you go onstage (apart from check your flies and/or check your knickers aren't sticking out of your skirt and check for spinach between your teeth)?
I take a pee. That's also the first thing I do after coming off the stage. Should I see doctor?
2. What irritates you?
Being in a taxi or uber when the driver is driving politely, letting others go first and is not changing to the lane that has less cars in stoplights. I don't know if I've ever been in a taxi but not in a hurry.
3. What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?
Objectively I guess it would be driving a snow mobile 100mph in a forest. But based on my feelings, it's doing a new bit on a big gig.
4. What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?
Worrying. And I've done that more a than once.
5. What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?
In the rare occasions when someone was offended by a joke, it was not the one I'd expect - the actual cruel joke. They always picked some weird one, like a joke about cats.
