As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Owen Garrett. The Michigan City, IN native shares some of their favorite moments in stand-up comedy and lets us know how they always own the laughs.
Name: Owen Garrett
Hometown: Michigan City, IN /Los Angeles, CA
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @owenpgarrett
Years in Comedy: 4
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: Scotty Works Out; The Purge: Borderline; Love and Monsters; The Comedy Store; Bob and Tom Show; Dunes Summer Theatre; El Cid Theatre
Favorite Comedy Album: Tenacious D
Favorite Comedy Special: Dave Chappelle “Killin’ Them Softly” & “For What It’s Worth”
Favorite Comedy Movie: Dumb & Dumber
Favorite Comedy TV Show: South Park
Favorite Comedic Character: Charles Barkley
Favorite City to Perform In: Mos Eisley
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Moi
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: Paying
Favorite Comedy Club: Pants on Fire at El Cid. Tremendous!
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
I’ve always loved comedy but it was probably after my second concussion when I decided to turn my passion into a career.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
The first time I performed, I had one terrible joke and that was it. I wasn’t expecting to go up so I told my joke immediately and still had another 5 minutes left. I had nothing. Still don’t.
How would you describe your comedic style:
My mom says I’m the handsomest comic in town!
Describe your process for comedic writing:
Write some stupid thoughts down, say those stupid thoughts outloud on a microphone in public, record and listen to that set, rinse and repeat a thousand times.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
I think if you’re able to be a complete human being in your regular life, tell jokes, and to also be happy then you’ve made it.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Honestly, I’ve done a great job of riding all of my friend’s coattails. Mayu Kassa, Corey Young, Becca Ward, Jake Toledo, CT mother fucking Adams, Sally Mullins, Keith Graber, Suwon Weaver, Joe Hirte, Adam Zoulek, Ed Rosegen, Gini Sikes, Howard Aronin, Susan Ware, Danny Fowble, Mitchel Phillips, Franklin Yi, Maria de la Ghetto, Faysal Lawrence, Mistress K, Sam the man Taha, Ron Bush, Dan Ramos, and way too many other people. Met all these people when I was stranded on death row.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
I’ll always remember and be thankful to have performed at the venues that I’ve been to, but by far the best thing are the people I’ve met in comedy that would be my friend even if comedy wasn’t a thing.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
It’s not about the high or lows you hit as a comic but the averages during the eternal grind that defines your experience as a comedian.
How do people react towards you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
“You’re a comedian. Tell me a joke.”
Describe what it’s been like building a career in stand-up comedy:
Building a career in comedy has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my privileged life. It takes more sacrifice than what’s sane but I love comedy so much it keeps me “sane”. I’m not sure if I’ll make it or not, but if I do make it I hope I kept my soul while doing it.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
I wish more of us were happy outside of comedy.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
He’s not a standup but one of the funniest people I know, Eddie Jackson, my friend and MMA coach, told me, “Get your shit together.”
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
“Give Me All Your Money”
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
Colin Powell told me to shut up.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
Laundromat
An Owen Garrett Fun Fact:
I’m too much of an open book. I need to keep my secrets to stay cool.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
At first, I wanted to be rich, but now I’d like to be really rich.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Be yourself. Work hard and take people’s feedback but don’t lose yourself.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
Right now, comedy is at the same place the internet was in the ‘90s. We have no idea what the future will be but you can do anything you want to do right now. It’s all wide open and you can create anything you’ve never imagined before in it. Comedy is what you make of it and there are truly an infinite amount of possibilities waiting to be discovered. Now is the best time ever to be a comedian.
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 like sitcoms, but I guess I would do an episode of Malcolm in the Middle and cross it over with the X-Men because it would be an easy early 2000s cringefest. If that doesn’t count then some random WWF thing because why the hell not.
If you could choose 1 comedy club and 3 comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
I would take my 3 closest friends and do a show at the shittiest venue ever with the worst audience of all time. And then we would have an awesome story for the rest of our lives.
What’s next for you:
Traffic court
Why should a person always laugh at life:
I don’t have enough perspective to answer this question.
Follow Owen Garrett’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @owenpgarrett
