College is usually a place that young adults attend when they would like to see their professional dreams become reality. For one specific person, college was the place where he saw his professional dreams constantly being laughed at by his peers, and he loved every moment of it. As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Nat Baimel. The Orlando, FL native shares with us some of his favorite moments in stand-up comedy and lets us know how he owns the laughs.
Name: Nat Baimel
Hometown: Orlando, FL (Currently in Los Angeles, CA)
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @NatBaimel
Years in Comedy: 14
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: Amazon Prime, XM Radio, and jokes shared by millions across Reddit, Buzzfeed, MTV.com, and countless other outlets.
Comedic Influences: George Carlin, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Rodney Dangerfield, Daniel Tosh
Favorite Comedy Album: George Carlin “Back in Town”
Favorite Comedy Special: Chris Rock “Bigger & Blacker”
Favorite Comedy Movie: Airplane
Favorite Comedy TV Show: The Venture Bros.
Favorite Comedic Character: Rodney Dangerfield’s “No Respect” persona
Favorite City to Perform In: Anywhere that’ll have me
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Death, dark, and dirty
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: One that’s respectful and responsive
Favorite Comedy Club: Comedy on State in Madison, WI
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
“Weird Al” songs and Comedy Central Presents
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
I took 2nd place in an amateur competition at my college, and the rush of the laughs kept me going as I proceeded to consistently bomb for the next few years.
How would you describe your comedic style:
Upbeat, optimistic nihilist makes you feel better about scary topics.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
I essentially write persuasive essays that I trim down and litter with dirty jokes.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
Gigantic! Los Angeles has hundreds of shows and thousands of performers.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
Happiness. Whether you’re a rich headliner or a broke open-micer, being content should be the ultimate goal.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
J.B. Ball, Ken Miller, Patrick Garrity, Keith Carey, Opey Olagbaju, Carmen Morales, Erik Barnes, Anna Valenzuela, & Nicole Becannon.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
Recording my album
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
There’s always another show, so keep writing and performing.
How do people react towards you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
They tend to lower their guards and loosen up.
Describe what it’s been like building a career in stand-up comedy:
Unorthodox, but rewarding. There’s no greater feeling than realizing I’m paying my bills with jokes.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
Bitterness and bigotry among comics and bookers.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
You’re a salesperson, and you sell hammers and nails. Sometimes, crowds want pizza, so you’re gonna be tempted to give them pizza. But that’s not what you sell. You sell hammers and nails. Your job is to sell them so well that no matter what the crowd wants, by the end, they’re thinking, “Man… I freaking LOVE hammer and nails!” – Pedro Lima and Ricky Reyes
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
I’ll be recording my second album soon and already have a title picked out, but don’t want to reveal it just yet…
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
A friend worked with my hero “Weird Al” and got him to call me by surprise. I was so shocked and starstruck that I panicked and pretended to not know who “Weird Al” was, so he hung up on me.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any forms of comedy:
Surprise stand-up set at a birthday party on a Native American reservation.
A Nat Baimel Fun Fact:
I was once a Thai Chi instructor for a year despite not knowing Thai Chi, or the fact it’s actually spelled “Tai Chi.”
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
Television, film, and new cities and countries I haven’t performed in yet.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Don’t ask the audience if it’s funny. TELL them.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
With the pandemic winding down and new mediums constantly popping up, I think the only thing stopping comics from performing is themselves.
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:
The Cosby Show, the darkest season finale of all time.
If you could choose 1 comedy club and 3 comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
Gotham Comedy Club and the Three Jokers. This way, I’d get to meet Batman.
What’s next for you:
Recording my next album and trying to get some of my ideas and jokes on a screen near you.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
It’s all we can do sometimes. If you laugh at something, it takes power from it, and lets you live with a little less fear and anxiety.
Watch Nat Baimel at Asheville Comedy Festival:
Follow Nat Baimel’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @NatBaimel
Youtube: Nat Baimel
Personal Website: Nat Baimel.com
*Listen to Nat latest comedy album “Be Nice” right now on iTunes and Amazon
