On Monday's episode of Last Comic Standing, Myq Kaplan went from potential elimination at the start of the show to serving up one of the night's funniest stand-up performances. And after seeing fellow comics James Adomian, Laurie Kilmartin, and Maranzio Vance voted off last night, Myq's shot at winning $250,000 and the title of Last Comic Standing has dramatically improved.
After last night's show, Myq sat down to answer a few questions about his style of comedy, living in Boston, how he came to audition for Last Comic Standing, and where he hopes to be in five years.
MICHAEL LANGSTON MOORE: On Monday, the first elimination came down to you and James Adomian, with James being sent home. What went through your mind moments before host Craig Robinson read the results?
MYQ KAPLAN: "I hope Craig says that I get to stay" or "Where should I be looking right now? There are so many cameras around." Something like one of those.
Have you built a rapport with the other comedians on “Last Comic Standing?” And is it bittersweet to see a fellow comic get eliminated while also knowing that your shot at $250,000 significantly improved?
MYQ: I have known some of the other comics for a while, and gotten to know basically everyone over the course of the show. Sure, it's sad to see folks I like have to go, but certainly, I'm happy to be sticking around. Though money isn't everything. Fame is something as well. Priorities.
Who inspired you growing up? What comedians did you admire, and who currently makes you laugh?
MYQ: Mitch Hedberg was my favorite as a teenager. Me as the teenager, him as my favorite. I didn't know him when he was a teenager. But maybe he would have been one of my favorite teenagers.
Today, some of my favorites include Louis C.K., Paul F Tompkins, Doug Stanhope, Brian Regan, Reggie Watts, and Andy Kindler. Also, my good friend Shane Mauss inspires me a great deal.
You’re originally from Boston. How did growing up in Massachusetts shape both who you are and your style of comedy?
MYQ: Going to college in Massachusetts was great for my style of comedy, because if I wasn't there, I probably wouldn't have even gotten into comedy. I still really haven't gotten into style. Boston's comedy scene is so vibrant, there are a number of clubs, theaters, colleges, other venues, and more importantly, a super-supportive community of comedians from brand new to incredibly experienced. The Comedy Studio is where I started performing, and its audiences full of intelligent, listening folks were great in helping me become who I'm still becoming as a comedian.
And places full of people that WEREN'T listening helped, as well. Boston has a wide variety of demographics, and it was great getting to perform for all types of people.
How long have you been doing stand-up? What made you decide to try out for “Last Comic Standing?”
MYQ: I have been doing stand-up for almost eight years. And the desire to win Last Comic Standing is probably what made me try out for [the show].
When you come out on stage, audience members may look at you and immediately assume that you’re a nerd or someone who lacks a bit of edge.
But your comedy hits on topics such as sex, race, religion, and homosexuality. Do you like the fact that you can supply the audience with a brand of comedy that they probably weren’t expecting to see from you?
MYQ: I like talking to the audience about what I want to talk about. If it enhances the experience for them that they're not expecting certain things from me, then all the better. (Though nerds usually know a lot of stuff. But maybe they keep it to themselves more often, because no one listens to them. Unless they have a microphone).
Also I prefer "dork" to "nerd," but I understand and will answer to either.
Where do most of your jokes originate and what’s your writing process like?
MYQ: Most jokes originate from the toilet, which is what I call my brain. Just kidding! That joke originated from the question that you asked, plus the thought of a toilet, but mostly my brain.
I generally just write things down when I think them, see them, or hear them. (Smell and taste are less common sources of joke material, for me).
I carry a notebook and a digital recorder always, and I record ideas as they occur. Then I go on stage with those ideas, and eventually some of them gain shape as I add more on stage, riffing, improvising, fleshing things out. Then I listen back to recordings of those performances, see what I added, decide to add more or take away more, and just keep repeating that process of positive feedback between writing off- and on-stage.
What’s the best thing about doing stand-up comedy? What’s been the biggest hardship that you’ve encountered?
MYQ: Best things: 1) not having to wake up in the morning, 2) not having to carry any equipment, 3) not worrying about getting so famous I can't walk down the street, 4) making people laugh with something I created. (These are not necessarily in order).
Biggest hardships: 1) occasional writer's block, 2) occasional audiences that I wish could be blocked, 3) sometimes traveling more than I want to, 4) not coming up with hilarious answers to every question in an interview.
What would winning “Last Comic Standing” do for you, both personally and professionally?
MYQ: Professionally, it would make a lot more people know who I am, which is already happening. Personally, it would make me happy. And maybe more "friends."
Finish this sentence: Win or lose, in five years, Myq Kaplan will be ______.
MYQ: Still happy! If I'm alive, which I hope and plan to be. But one never knows! Is that too many sentences?
What advice would you give to anyone who’s interested in pursuing a career as a stand-up comic?
MYQ: Do stand-up comedy. Go watch shows, write down ideas, get on stage when possible, stick to your time, meet other people and be respectful. Or don't, and just be sad.
You can catch an all-new episode of "Last Comic Standing" next Monday night on NBC!
OTHER INTERVIEWS YOU MIGHT LIKE:
Mia Michaels of "So You Think You Can Dance"
Mary Lynn Rajskub of "24"
Jace Hall, Executive Producer of "V"
Sam Llyod of "Scrubs"
--
NEW TO THIS COLUMN? DON'T MAKE YOUR FIRST VISIT YOUR LAST. CHECK OUT:
News | Opinion | Reviews | Interviews | Celebrities | Photos | Reality TV | Controversy
You can follow Michael Langston Moore on Twitter as well as his new entertainment blog The Screen Fiend! Also, be sure to “Subscribe” to this column to receive up to the minute updates on television news, reviews, interviews, and commentary!
Interested in an interview or want to send a screener for review? E-mail me with any questions or comments!
Michael Langston Moore also writes for African American Entertainment Examiner column.
Comments
Adomian had one up on Myq. To be frank, I am surprised Adomian and Kaplan were the bottom two - WHAT?! The Queertracker deserved to stay.
Also - could Greg Giraldo be any less critical of people's open mic performances. We are pretending these are the BEST undiscovered comics, right? Hate to say it - this show is missing a Simon... and 10 actually funny comedians (instead of maybe 3).
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!