As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Andy Stewart. The Long Island, NY native shares with us some of his favorite moments in stand-up comedy and lets us know how he owns the laughs.
Name: Andy Stewart
Hometown: Long Island, NY / Los Angeles, CA
Instagram/Twitter: @andystewartcomedy/ @AndyTellsJokes
Years in Comedy: 6
Comedic Influences: My Comedy Mount Rushmore: George Carlin, Jerry Seinfeld, Dave Chapelle, & Eddie Izzard
Favorite Comedy Album: George Carlin at Carnegie
Favorite Comedy Special: Mike Birbiglia “My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend”
Favorite Comedy Movie: Dumb & Dumber
Favorite Comedy TV Show: Seinfeld
Favorite Comedic Character: Tobias Funke from Arrested Development
Favorite City to Perform In: New York City
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Sh*t that’s changed since I was a kid.
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: I cut my teeth doing a ton of bar shows and nothing beats the forgiveness of a comedy club audience.
Favorite Comedy Club: Caroline’s on Broadway
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
The seeds were planted in my early teens but my passion grew out of spite that my ex-girlfriend thought I was a loser.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
The girl I was crushing on showed up with her boyfriend and they sat them in the front row.
How would you describe your comedic style:
Giving the audience 90% of the joke and let them finish the thought.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
I come up with a bunch of jokes and then try to piece them together into one complete set.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
LA comedy is 50% Group Therapy / 50% American Idol.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
That’s so subjectional. Some people are successful at just getting up there and trying. For me it’s all about redefining your success the more you keep going. I think if you always have that in mind then you’ll always move up.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
I love Steven Haas. He’s in Chicago now. His delivery is just so professional he fits completely into a relatable voice. And in New York, there’s Billy Geyer. He’s a bit of an oddball but he grows on you when you realize how genius his writing is.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
My first show was sold out and I invited my crush and she brought her boyfriend and they sat him in the first row. It was like having sex while her husband watches. It was a Baptism by Cuckold.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
Don’t make it about yourself. It’s not about what makes you unique. It’s about what you have in common.
How do people react towards you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
Sometimes I don’t think they know I’m kidding.
Describe what it’s been like building a career in stand-up comedy:
I split my first years between NYC and LA so at first it felt very competitive and petty but now I learned to block it out and just do you.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
I’d eliminate the bringer show. It exploits new comics and rewards popularity over talent.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
“If only 3 people are laughing in the room, then lock into those 3 and forget the rest. Don’t worry, pretty soon they’ll start paying attention.”
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
“Growing Pains”
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
I’ve performed at an amateur pole dancing show at a casino.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
I just want to put out my own comedy album and perform in all 50 states.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Respect the crowd and only work with material that you can tell in any room and still get laughs.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
I’m hoping there will be more comedians who tap into what we all find funny and not just what they find funny about themselves.
If you could choose 1 comedy club and 3 comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
Caroline’s on Broadway in New York City. Aaron Berg would host, Bear Badeaux would open, and I would feature for Laurie Kilmartin.
What’s next for you:
I’m coming out of the pandemic completely refreshed and ready to start working new material and to reach out to ask many people as possible.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
.I think we all do stupid shit. For me comedy comes out of being smarter than you once were and that’s something everyone relates to. Time makes fools of us all.
Follow Andy Stewart’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter: @andystewartcomedy/@AndyTellsJokes
