Every stand-up comedian works their entire career to see their name and legacy featured in the history books of comedy. Not only will this comedian see her name in the history books, but she also plans on being able to write her own chapter. As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian/writer Spencer Taylor. The ABC’s “Mixed-ish” writer/comedian shares with us some of her favorite moments in stand-up comedy and why she owns the laughs.
Name: Spencer Taylor
Hometown: Greenville, SC/Burbank, CA
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @spencatayla
Years in Comedy: 9
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: Writer on ABC’s Mixed-ish
Comedic Influences: Emo Phillips, Michael Che, Steven Wright, George Wallace, Dave Chappelle, John Mulaney & Maria Bamford
Favorite Comedy Album: Steven Wright “I Have a Pony”
Favorite Comedy Special: Emo Phillips “E=Mo^2,” It was the first comedy special I remember hearing.
Favorite Comedy Movie: Mary and Max
Favorite Comedy TV Show: Arrested Development
Favorite Comedic Character: Buster Bluth
Favorite City to Perform In: Atlanta,GA or Los Angeles, CA
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Anything Absurd!
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: The kind that thinks I’m funny.
Favorite Comedy Club: Due to work and COVID, I still have not had an opportunity to go to the Comedy Store, but love it for it’s history and line up of fantastic comics.
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
I’ve listened to stand-up my entire life and in elementary school, I started writing jokes/comedic pieces. The first time people laughed at something I’d written, I was hooked. Took me a couple of decades to get up the courage but the first time I did stand up, there was no going back.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
It went really well! Incredibly well. It couldn’t have been a worse first experience though, (Laughs) because it set me up to think comedy was always like that. So the first time I bombed, I bombed HARD.
How would you describe your comedic style:
I think I’d describe it as observational absurdism.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
I like to use “random word” or “random topic generators” online and write as many jokes as I can think of based on their suggestion. Cheese? Well, I write fifty jokes about cheese, or what cheese makes me think of, or the one time my cousin choked on a piece of cheese, that cousin’s funeral, etc.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
I really enjoy Burbank and LA comedy. There are so many different scenes and I’ve found them to be welcoming and full of hilarious people. I especially love the number of talented women and WOC in such a cis white male-dominated industry.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
I think success is getting paid to do what you love and getting to work with people you respect and admire.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
This is difficult because there are so many! I’ll focus on funny ladies, though I hesitate to call them “peers” because most have been performing for way longer than I have and are stone-cold killers. To name just a few: Catherine McCafferty, Laura Peek, Carmen Morales, Katie Hughes, and Jenn Snyder.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
This is a weird one, but the second time I ever performed comedy I bombed my ass off. Like really, it was almost impressive how I managed to do a five-minute set with no laughs. It was important because it taught me two things: that bombing, while painful, isn’t the end of the world and that comedy was something I really want to do. Because I immediately wanted to jump back on stage and redeem myself.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
You don’t get anything overnight – it takes years and years of hard work, practice, and “no’s” before you get that eventual “yes.” I got rejected from a ton of shows before I landed my first writing job. Just gotta keep grinding.
How do people react towards you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
“You do comedy? Tell me a joke.” And my answer is always the same: “Nah.”
Describe what it’s been like building a career in stand-up comedy:
It’s been really fun, really depressing, really hard, and really rewarding. I’ve met amazing people and it all led to me becoming a TV writer, which is something I’ve always wanted to do. But we’re in the middle of a pandemic so I haven’t done stand-up in months, so two steps forward…
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
I wish it was more inclusive. I would love to see more diverse lineups at comedy clubs.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
When I was deciding whether to move to Atlanta or Los Angeles, Andy Kindler told me to “Move to Atlanta, work on your craft, and let your talent take you to a big city.” It helped me build a set I am proud of while working a day job and saving money. That eventually led to me being able to move to LA after I got offered my job at Mixed-ish.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
Welp… Here It Is.
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
I once sat in at a table reading because Tracee Ellis Ross couldn’t make it to read her lines. It was my first ever table read and I was super freaking nervous. I started reading and then looked up to realize that she did make it after all… and there I was, just sitting in her seat, drinking her water bottle, reading her lines. She was really kind about it but everyone laughed because I was probably red af.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any forms of comedy:
This is hard. The alt scene always leads to some weird ass venues. Hmmm.. probably a racquetball court! Back in those Pre-Covid days. Post-Covid days, my bedroom. Like, whodathunkit?
A Spencer Taylor Fun Fact:
I was on and won Wheel of Fortune. I remember walking out to set with the other two contestants and they were terrified. They kept saying things like “Oh my god, I’m going to throw up.” That’s how I knew I would win. Cause I knew to throw up before I went on stage.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
I’ve always wanted to write for television. Now that I have gotten to experience being a staff writer, my next goal would be to create and run my own television show. It would also be cool to bathe in a pool full of cash.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Keep writing. Even if you can’t perform (FU COVID) you can keep up your craft by grinding away in a notebook/laptop/typewriter if you’re a writer from the 1930s.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
Who knows! We are in Covid times so the future’s so uncertain. I can say what I hope to see – more diversity.
If you could write one episode for one classic TV sitcom which show would be and give a brief detailed sentence on the episode:
Hmm, Fresh Prince.
If you could choose 1 comedy club and choose 3 comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
The Comedy Store, because I haven’t been there yet! Hmm, this is tough. I’d probably choose Dave Chapelle, John Mulaney, and Steven Wright. It would be weird as hell.
What next for you:
Winning the lottery, growing some hips, and world domination.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
To keep yourself from going insane.
Follow Spencer Taylor on all forms of social media at:
@spencatayla
