In sports, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take, but in comedy, a joke could bomb 100% times, but if you keep trying it out, it can easily become the greatest joke of all time. As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Mike Wooten. The Fresno, CA native shares with us some of his favorite moments in stand-up comedy and lets us know how he owns the laughs.
Name: Mike Wooten
Hometown: Fresno, CA
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: Instagram: @mikewooten Twitter: @tryingmyworst
Years in Comedy: 2.5 years
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: I guarantee that you have no idea who I am.
Comedic Influences: Jake & Amir, Nathan Fielder
Favorite Comedy Album: Louis C.K. “Chewed Up”
Favorite Comedy Special: George Carlin “Back In Town”
Favorite Comedy Movie: Airplane
Favorite Comedy TV Show:Nathan For You
Favorite Comedic Character: Norm Macdonald
Favorite City to Perform In: We’re coming out of a global pandemic. My favorite city is literally anywhere.
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Life & Death
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: Drunk hipsters because it’s more satisfying when you finally crack them.
Favorite Comedy Club: Savage Henry in Eureka, CA
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
Trying desperately to make people laugh in junior high so that I wouldn’t get bullied for being fat & weird.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
I went up at an open mic and recited old tweets that I had written over the previous years. It wasn’t completely awful, so I immediately started looking for other open mics around the city.
How would you describe your comedic style:
I think I give off the vibe of somebody who accidentally wandered on stage and started talking about their day.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
Thinking something idiotic and then asking a friend “hey, is this funny?”
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
Small, but growing. There’s a core group of people that have been able to keep it thriving over the last few years.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
Making people laugh when they have absolutely no idea who you are.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Isaiah Washington, Taylor Evans, Marcus Peverill, Austin Bovee, & Aaron Lewis
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
I got into a political argument online and someone said “stick to comedy!”, which was great because that implied that they think I’m decent at comedy.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
It’s fine to bomb as long as you’re able to understand why it happened.
How do people react towards you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
Utter disbelief followed by pure horror.
Describe what it’s been like building a career in stand-up comedy:
A lot of late nights and empty wallets in pursuit of getting validation from people who are trying to find a reason to not like you.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
People don’t try to cut an NBA player for missing a three-pointer, so please stop trying to cancel comics because they attempted a joke that bombed. Just tell them that their joke sucked and move on. I promise that being told that they’re not funny will hurt their feelings more.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
You’re not there to convince the audience that you’re funny. You’re there to tell them that you’re funny. (I still struggle with this constantly)
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
I’d probably overthink it & end up delaying the release by another week.
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
Gary Busey walked by with his arms around two girls who were about half his age. When we said “hey” to him, he said “not now – I’m on duty”.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
In the middle of someone’s living room after the cops were called and forced everyone out of the backyard where the show had been.
A Mike Wooten Fun Fact:
I have a full-leg sleeve of Harry Potter tattoos because I clearly make great decisions in life.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
Anywhere an audience wants to hear me.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
On my Buddhist tip, true laughs come from within.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
People are being challenged to be more creative with their humor, which is dope because that means that things that are funny will be funnier.
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:
Boy Meets World reboot where Cory mysteriously dies in a tragic skiing accident and Mike Wooten joins the cast as Topanga’s new husband. What up, Topanga?
If you could choose 1 comedy club and 3 comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
I’d be down to hit Savage Henry again with my buddies simply because the hangs afterward were so fun, man.
What’s next for you:
Trying to get on the road now that clubs and venues are re-opening after the lockdown.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
Why not? Are you doing something more important?
Follow Mike Wooten’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram: @mikewooten Twitter: @tryingmyworst
