As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Carly Kane. The Doylestown, PA native shares with us some of her favorite moments in stand-up comedy and lets us know how she owns the laughs.
Name: Carly Kane
Hometown: Doylestown, PA/Los Angeles, CA
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @ckanee @icarlykane
Years in Comedy: 4.5 years
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: NBC Breakout Comedy Festival and Laugh Factory
Comedic Influences: Mitch Hedburg & Sarah Silverman
Favorite Comedy Album: Patrice O’Neal “Better Than You”
Favorite Comedy Special: I can’t pick
Favorite Comedy Movie: I just watched Bad Trip and haven’t laughed that hard in a while.
Favorite Comedy TV Show: Pen15, Insecure, & Nathan For You
Favorite Comedic Character: Frank (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia)
Favorite City to Perform In: Chicago, IL
Favorite Topics to Joke About: My life
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: Queer people
Favorite Comedy Club: Comedy on State
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
I just really needed attention as a kid and started doing and saying anything to get people to laugh, then I learned about stand-up in high school and vowed to give it a try.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
It was horrible. I was at an open mic where the audience could heckle and roast you. I froze and didn’t say anything until the audience got so uncomfortable they started screaming compliments.
How would you describe your comedic style:
I would say I’m medium energy and just tell a lot of jokes about my life experience thus far.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
I have to handwrite everything, I try to sit down for 20 minutes a day and just write out an idea until jokes eventually come out.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
I just moved to LA so I’m still figuring it out. But I started comedy in Chicago and it was amazing. Everyone is really supportive and works really hard. There are so many talented comedians coming up and from Chicago.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
As long as I can perform in front of an audience I feel successful.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
I ran a show with amazing and hilarious women in Chicago called Diamond Comedy Hour, Elise Fernandez, Alex Kumin, and Ali Drapos. My roommates, Molly Kearney and Meg Indurti too. I feel really lucky to have so many talented friends that inspire me. Some up and coming Chicago comics that I’m a big fan of are Danny Sellers and Victoria Vincent.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
Probably anytime I got to produce a show that went really well. To have creative control and then be able to share it with an audience and perform has been the most fulfilling for me.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
That nobody cares as much as you do.
How do people react towards you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
It’s been my coping mechanism my whole life, so I feel like I’ve always attracted people that are just as funny if not funnier.
Describe what it’s been like building a career in stand-up comedy:
It’s been amazing, I’m really grateful I’ve gotten to spend the last few years doing something I really love. I struggled to figure out what motivated me for a long time, and working a 9-5 as my end all be all was not an option. I’m a horrible employee.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
The gatekeeping and booking process.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
No one is judging you as much as you’re judging yourself.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
Fuck, I Haven’t Done This In A Year.
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
I saw one of The Real Housewives of New York, Carol. I was so nervous and quickly ran by her and said “I’m a huge fan.” She had headphones in and was like “What” and by that point, I was mortified and walked away.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
In many burger shops that didn’t know a comedy show was happening.
A Carly Kane Fun Fact:
I hate mashed potatoes.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
I just want to continue to perform and travel (Smiles)
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Just do what makes you laugh, don’t worry what everyone is thinking. You’re going to bomb all the time.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
I’m not sure! I’m curious to see how people return to comedy after this year, I think with collective trauma humor is always born, so I’m excited to watch what that looks like.
If you could write one episode for one classic TV sitcom which show would it be and give a brief detailed sentence on the episode:
I don’t really watch Friends, but I think it would be really funny and fun to rewrite them all as queer characters.
If you could choose 1 comedy club and 3 comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
Comedy Works in Denver, Sarah Silverman, Chris Rock, & Wanda Sykes
What’s next for you:
I feel like it’s a lot of question marks right now, just moved to LA and working on getting acquainted with the scene here and starting a show.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
Because life really sucks a lot of the time and the ability to laugh is natural medicine.
Watch Carly Kane performing at The Laugh Factory in Chicago, IL:
Follow Carly Kane’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @ckanee @icarlykane
