039 - The ABC of Comedy with Paul Certi

In this episode, comedian Paul Certi takes us through his journey into comedy, starting from being a youngster, when he first discovered his knack for making people laugh, to finally diving into stand-up in his thirties. He opens up about the challenges he faced early on, like his first gig doing The Blackout at Up The Creek and King Kong, where he learned just how much he still had to figure out. Paul stresses the importance of preparation, constantly refining material, and adapting to new situations. He also talks about how embracing failure and learning from each performance is key to growth in comedy.

Paul shares his experiences performing in competitions and doing gigs outside of London and how competitions shouldn’t be taken too seriously, instead encouraging comedians to focus on the long-term journey. He compares the differences between audiences in various cities and countries, noting that crowds outside London often bring a special kind of energy and enthusiasm. Reflecting on his time in the ‘So You Think You’re Funny’ competition, Paul talks about the balance between refining a set and experimenting with new material.

Throughout the conversation, Paul and Marc dive deep into what it takes to make it in comedy: persistence, consistency, and the ability to get comfortable with discomfort. They touch on topics like following strong acts, and the tricky art of handling sensitive subjects on stage, all while reading the room.

 

This episode is packed with personal stories, insights into the comedy world, and a lot of humour, making it a great listen for anyone interested in the art of stand-up.

 

LINKS:

Open Mic Comedy Pod: https://www.instagram.com/openmiccomedypod

 

Paul Certi:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulcerti/

https://www.tiktok.com/@paulcerti

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Music: https://www.purple-planet.com