As children grow and develop, they can be easily influenced by what they see and hear, especially from digital media. For one comedian, her passion for comedy came after being caught imitating a wino she saw on television during a family party as a preschooler. As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs while getting to know comedian/writer Jasmine Jarman. The Hollister, CA native shares with us some of her favorite moments in stand-up comedy and why she owns the laughs.
Name: Jasmine Jarman
Hometown: Hollister, California/Los Angeles, CA
Instagram: @Jasmine.Jarman Twitter: @JasmineJarman Tik-Tok: @Jasmine.Jarman
Years in Comedy: 3.5 Years
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: N/A
Comedic Influences: Tig Notaro, Beth Stelling, Sarah Silverman, Jak Knight, Steve Martin, & Jim Carrey
Favorite Comedy Album: Tig Notaro “Live”
Favorite Comedy Special: Beth Stelling “Girl Daddy”
Favorite Comedy Movie: We Came Together
Favorite Comedy TV Show: The Simpsons
Favorite Comedic Character: Tim Heidecker
Favorite City to Perform: Santa Barbara, CA
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Generational differences & Absurdity in daily life.
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: Drunk and mad at their date.
Favorite Comedy Club: Largo LA
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
My dad was a big comedy nerd, growing up Comedy Central Presents, The Simpsons, and SNL was practically on constantly. Making jokes were so common that as a kid I didn’t realize TV/Movies that weren’t trying to be funny existed. I remember the first big bit I tried in public was New Year’s Eve when I was about 6, it was the first time my parents told me I could stay up until midnight since we were attending a party at the neighbor’s house. Now that I think about it, I think they were just too lazy to get a sitter but were still dedicated to getting piss drunk with their friends. ANYWHOOZLES, everyone had their drinks in hand and the countdown started. I saw an open bottle of champagne on the side table and right as the clock struck midnight I grabbed it and pretended to chug it the way I had seen town drunks drink from paper bags on TV. I heard laughter first followed by the sound of my parents’ horrified calls to “STOP THAT NOW!” which only rallied the group to laugh harder. I recall one woman actually peeing herself. Not sure if that was from the 6 drinks before midnight or my brilliance but the chaos of that moment has had me chasing that same high ever since.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
I had spent the entire week mentally prepping myself and telling people I was going to do it so they’d hold me accountable. The morning of the open mic, news came out that Tom Petty died. I didn’t think much of it and still signed my name to the list and watched in horror as every person before me played a Tom Petty song to an incredibly emotional crowd. When my time came, the host read my name and stated I would be doing comedy with a look of disgust. I went up and made a terrible joke about being the only white person in a black studies class. After what could have only been ninety seconds max, I stated “well that’s all I have” and the person that was supposed to go next yelled, “wait, I’m not ready! Keep going”. Full of embarrassment I replied with a meekly confidence, “I just had the one joke” and walked off. The crowd then sat in about three minutes of silence until the next Tom Petty tribute.
How would you describe your comedic style:
I would describe my comedic style as ridiculous. I like to blend harsh, blunt realities with absurdist points of view to shine a light on how silly life can be.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
It all starts with a little thought or small interaction I have that I will write down in my phone or notebook – whichever is closest. Then I don’t think about it again until I’ve already put my name on the list for an open mic so I can frantically spin jokes out of my half premises under pressure. Once I try it out, I’ll rewrite until either the audience likes it enough or I realize the premise should have been dead in the water weeks ago.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
Extremely diverse. Once people realize that you’re going to be a regular they’ll open up more and accept you into the community. Unless they think you’re funny. Then they’ll just complain about how unfunny you are.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
Success in the comedy world is complicated. Sure, there are wildly famous stand-up comics that go on to get huge movie deals and sell out large arenas but I don’t think that’s the mark of a successful comic. I think you’re a successful comic when you’re able to meet all of your financial and creative needs through comedy. Whether that’s doing an open mic every week or grinding on the road for months – as long as you still love to make people laugh. Nothing is sadder than a jaded circus clown.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
I love watching Fiona Reid and Callahan Welsh because they know how to absolutely abuse an audience with tension. Tré Lamb has been one of my closest peers since I started doing comedy. Not only was he incredibly supportive when I first started, but his commitment to writing and performing also inspired me to actually take comedy as seriously as I would any career.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
My most memorable moment in comedy was right before the pandemic hit in March 2020. I started doing stand-up in Santa Barbara with UCSB’s standup comedy club, Laughology. One of the headliners that I always enjoyed while still in school watching was Chris Cope and I got the opportunity to feature for him at a Laughology show as returning alumni. This was my first time doing an official twenty-minute set and I was kind of nervous. After my set, I walked off and Chris Cope shook my hand thanked me, and gave me a genuine stamp of approval on my set. It was a wonderful full-circle moment.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
Don’t touch the microphone wire. If you find yourself wrapping the microphone wire around, you’re off the deep end.
How do people react towards you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
First, it’s fun until they realize it’s really a tic at this point.
Describe what it’s been like building a career in stand-up comedy:
It’s like when you’re running in a dream and you feel like you can’t go fast enough and it feels like you’re running through sand except the sand is a bunch of creepy old men trying to make money off of your friends by booking you on a bringer show for “exposure”.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
I wish more people would realize that this generation isn’t more sensitive about jokes. They’re just different. If you can’t write a race, gender, or political joke without blaming the audience for being too sensitive – it’s simply because your joke writing is still stuck in the 90s.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
No matter what type of comedian you are, smile when you’re walking up to the stage. People will be able to suspend reality better if they have the sense that you at least enjoy being there.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
Well, Shit!
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
I once showed up for a show that was advertised to be an “outdoor lounge” and upon arrival, it was a 4X4 section of chain link fence in the middle of an alley BEHIND the bar. I’ve done shows in graveyards and still, that show is the most haunting.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
I hope to follow the Adam Sandler blueprint without that weird dip in the middle. Stand up comedy-> SNL-> Movie Production-> Stand up comedy.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Stick to trying jokes that you truly think are funny. Don’t write jokes you think other people will like. It’s a kiss of death and you won’t even be satisfied at the end of the night.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
The future of comedy is very bright. I think the upcoming generation is incredibly comedically inclined. We’ve grown up with memes, seen horrific wars, and police brutality all while Keeping up with the Kardashians was one of the top shows for a decade. We understand how horrific the world can be yet at the same time so incredibly pointless. All we can do is laugh.
If you could write one episode for one classic TV sitcom which show would be and give a brief detailed sentence on the episode:
Friends, Ross’ students accuse him of being problematic and it forces all of the friends to realize they’re terrible people after all.
If you could choose 1 comedy club and 3 comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
The comedy club would easily be Largo LA and the comedians would be Jaboukie Young-White, Tig Notaro, and Tim Heidecker.
What next for you:
Since we’re (still) locked inside and safe stand-up shows are hard to come by right now, I’m delving into writing. I have tons of stand-up I’m excited to try but I’m also developing a short film.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
Life is the most precious thing on Earth yet it somehow manages to be annoying, painful, redundant, dangerous, and bland all in one. It’s too stupid to take seriously so why try?
Follow Jasmin Jarman on all forms of social media:
Instagram: @Jasmine.Jarman Twitter: @JasmineJarman Tik-Tok: @Jasmine.Jarman
*Photos courtesy of Ashley Ngyuen and Shar Lou (@Claudedebutchy on Instagram)
