She’s a force of nature in many disciplines of entertainment. After befriending comedian Brad Garrett, this woman from the land of bright lights was inspired to explore the stand-up comedy world and has now performed on such famous stages as The Comedy Store, Laugh Factory, Westside Comedy Theatre, and The Improv Hollywood/Brea. As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Anzu Lawson. The Los Angeles, CA native shares with us some of her favorite moments in stand-up comedy and lets us know how she owns the laughs.
Name: Anzu Lawson
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @AnzuLawson
Years in Comedy: 15
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: Chicago Med, Ray Donovan, Y&R, King of Queens, Fuller House, The Blacklist, Raising Hope, & more.
Comedic Influences: Margaret Cho, Jo Koy, Chris Rock, Sebastian Maniscalco, Wanda Sykes, & Ali Wong
Favorite Comedy Album: Eddie Murphy “Delirious”
Favorite Comedy Special: Neil Brennan “3 Mics”, Joy Koy “Coming In Hot”, & Ronny Cheng “Destroys America”
Favorite Comedy Movie: This Is The End & Tropic Thunder
Favorite Comedy TV Show: Superstore, Derry Girls, Norsemen, & Plebs
Favorite Comedic Character: Lucille Ball & Brad Garrett as Robert Barone on “Everybody Loves Raymond”
Favorite City to Perform In: Orange County. Basically anywhere outside of Los Angeles, simply because the audience appreciates you 10% more.
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Being raised by a Tiger Mom in whitewashed America.
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: Fresh out of a lockdown and ready to laugh!
Favorite Comedy Club: The Comedy Chateau & Comedy Store
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
I was taking improv classes at The Groundlings and after leaving every class, I realized I wanted to express so much more from inside of me. So I took a Stand Up Comedy class and found it liberating to carve out my own voice.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
I killed at The Ha Ha Cafe., but it’s like that Sade song “it’s never as good as the first time” so I’ve been chasing the dragon ever since.
How would you describe your comedic style:
I often wish I was more of a storyteller like Carlin or Chapelle but I’m a big Act-Out girl. I’m actually challenging myself in future sets to step out of my comfort zone & let people into my day to day life more.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
Full freaking disclosure, #1 – I’ve used the Judy Carter “COMEDY BIBLE” writing prompts since day one and so I bubble & quadrant (it’s in her book) the premises on a notepad. I keep the ones that excite me, type it out & then I’ll bounce those off my comedy friends or my Stand Up Comedy coaches. Yes, I get coaching! for everything in my damn life. The accountability & another person’s perspective is priceless to me. Sometimes when you’re too close to it you can’t see where to take the funny.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
It’s coming back and it’s so great to make people laugh who are so happy to be out in public amongst people. I tried to do a bunch of zoom comedy shows during the pandemic but wifi was always an issue.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
Well, the goal is a Comedy special, of course, but I gage SUCCESS by “Are you having fun?” and “Are you making the world a better place by being you?”
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
There’s no short answer for that because everyone’s journey is as different as a snowflake; but Vargus Mason, Heather Pasternick, Jodi Miller, All the Asian comics who do the @CrazyWokeAsian shows.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
#1) My friend Brad Garrett came to see my show in the Belly Room at the Comedy Store and gave me notes on my set. That touched me because of how generous that was. #2) Last month I did a zoom show with Margaret Cho and she tried new material. She was my “permission slip” to grow balls and try stand up in the first place.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
Don’t get rusty. Keep that pump primed. Keep writing.
How do people react towards you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
They usually want to hear a joke ON THE SPOT & I tell them there’s a 2 drink minimum first & a cover.
Describe what it’s been like building a career in stand-up comedy:
I started on TV first and then jumped into Stand-Up. It’s usually the other way around. So, I’m still building, but backwards.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
This cancel culture is really making it hard to be a standup comic right now. So many topics off limits now if it’s not “your personal race.” I wish everyone going to see a comedy show would remember no harm is intended. We joke to laugh at ourselves & find our commonalities.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
Kirk Fox once told me “It’s not what you say, it’s HOW you say it”
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
“I Pretty Shit” …. (my mother couldn’t pronounce “I appreciate”)
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
Um, that convo would be X-rated and most likely used against me in the court of law.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
That’s an NC-17 answer that would ban me from ever being on Nickelodeon or Disney.
An Anzu Lawson Fun Fact:
I’m a level one Remote Viewer trained in the same techniques the government used during the 1975 Stargate Project.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
To Europe. I’ve never been yet. But I’d be happy with a series regular role on a comedy TV show if that doesn’t pan out.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Specificity is king. Your power is in your personal pain.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
They will prescribe comedy to heal people.
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:
The Brady Bunch would visit Fantasy Island, enter an alternate reality and wake up Asian.
If you could choose 1 comedy club and 3 comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
Madison Square Garden opening for Craig Robinson, Ricky Gervais & Danny McBride.
What’s next for you:
I start filming a Bruce Dern movie next week. It’s about mental health & coping with trauma, so it’s definitely not a comedy but it’s an important topic that’s near and dear to me & I’m excited to be a part of it. Then back to writing new material.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
.Life’s too short for anything else.
Watch Anzu Lawson during STOP ASIAN HATE comedy show:
Follow Anzu’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @anzulawson
Youtube: Anzu Lawson
Personal Website: Anzu Lawson.com
