As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Bryan Burris. The Tehachapi, CA native shares with us some of his favorite moments in stand-up comedy and lets us know how he owns the laughs.
Name: Bryan Burris
Hometown: Tehachapi/Los Angeles, CA
Instagram/Twitter: @bryanpburris/@bryanburris
Years in Comedy: 7
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: Not Yet
Comedic Influences: Dave Chappelle, Bill Burr, & Nate Bargatze
Favorite Comedy Album: Growing up all I listened to was Weird Al Yankovic
Favorite Comedy Special: Dave Chappelle “Sticks & Stones”
Favorite Comedy Movie: Superbad
Favorite Comedy TV Show: The Simpsons
Favorite Comedic Character: Michael Scott
Favorite City to Perform In: Los Angeles, CA
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Myself & Jobs
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: An audience that represents
everyone.
Favorite Comedy Club: The Comedy Store
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
As a kid I was always drawn to comedy. I listened to Weird Al for years before listening to any other music.
In middle school, I started watching stand-up specials, mostly episodes of Comedy Central Presents. I’ve been hooked ever since.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
I remember feeling sick from being so nervous but also that it was something I had to do. My first time performing was at an open mic on my college campus and it went alright. Because it went alright I felt pretty confident until I bombed for the next several mics.
How would you describe your comedic style:
I would describe my style as authentic to who I am. I strive to make my time on stage feel conversational and relaxed.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
I keep a journal that I try to write in regularly with no pressure of creating jokes. I also keep notes in my phone of thoughts I may have throughout the day. If I come up with something that I think might work I will spend some time coming up with punchlines, but I seem to really create the material while working it out on stage.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
Being in LA means that the comedy scene can be whatever you want it to be. Other comics around me that are hustling in many different ways such as hitting mics and shows every night, recording podcasts or creating videos, inspire me constantly.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
Ultimately success in comedy, to me, means getting real, authentic laughs from the audience.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
There are so many comics that inspire me Scotty Cav, Macey Isaacs, and Avery Mckinney to name a few.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
During the COVID 19 shutdown I was lucky enough to be a part of the Magic Asphalt shows at the Magic Castle in Hollywood. These were drive-in shows In the parking lot and we told jokes to people sitting in their cars. The lineups were always stacked and getting to perform alongside so many killers was really special. Watching so many people I look up to navigate a new type of stand up performance was illuminating.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
I have learned that failures should never stand in the way of what I want to do next. Having bad sets is inevitable and staying down on my failures does not help me reach my goals
How do people react towards you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
I have found that people are always surprised that I can make audiences laugh. I’m not sure what that says about my personality off stage but it is always fun to see someone be surprised by my skills on stage.
Describe what it’s been like building a career in stand-up comedy:
Building a career is tough. Hustling from a day job straight to an open mic or show every day can be exhausting. Friends and family don’t always understand what it is I am trying to build and sometimes they can be upset at the fact that my nights and weekends are always full. It has also given me great friends and some incredibly special memories.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
I would change the general energy and atmosphere of open mics. Very few people seem to want to have fun at that level.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
The best advice I have received is so simple and that is to stay focused on my work and get on stage as regularly as possible.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
If I had to release a special this week I probably wouldn’t feel prepared so maybe just call it Sorry.
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
Josh Duhamel saw me almost pee my pants in line for the restroom at a Weinerschnitzel in Burbank once.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any forms of comedy:
With COVID 19 I feel like the weirdest places became the norm! In this last year I have performed in parks, parking lots and stranger’s backyards.
A Bryan Burris Fun Fact:
I’m pretty good at cooking vegan food, even though I am not a vegan.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
My ultimate goal as a comedian is to sell tickets across the country and tour all over. I would also like a massive sponsorship deal with Nike.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
I would tell them to trust who they are and what makes them funny and I would encourage them to get on stage as much as they can.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
I think the future of comedy involves growing your audience on your own. Through podcasts and online content comedians don’t have to wait for someone to give them an audience, they can build it on their own.
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:
I would like to write a reboot of All in the Family that takes place today where Archie storms the Capitol.
If you could choose 1 comedy club and 3 comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
Let’s go with myself, Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy. A couple of legends that have been out of the game for a long time. The media would go crazy for it which means I would get some attention as well.
What’s next for you:
Next for me is more shows in Los Angeles as well as getting out to NYC in July for some shows. My podcast, Invade the Decade will also continue to drop a new episode every Tuesday.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
A person should always laugh at life because we need to! If we always think about things seriously we lose our minds and also ruin parties.
Follow Bryan Burris’ comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter: @bryanpburris/@bryanburris
Checkout Bryan Burris’ podcast “Invade the Decade”
