As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs while getting to know comedian Robert Omoto. The Sacramento, CA native shares with us some of his favorite moments in stand-up comedy and lets us know how he owns the laughs.
Name: Robert Omoto
Hometown: Sacramento, CA
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @bobbyomoto
Years in Comedy: 7
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: Braveheart as one of the guys who got shot with an arrow during the second battle scene. World War Z as one of the zombies trying to climb over the city walls.
Comedic Influences: Patrice O’Neal, Bill Burr, John Leguizamo, George Carlin,
Cedric the Entertainer, Katt Williams, George Lopez, Dave Attell, and Sebastian Maniscalco.
Favorite Comedy Album: Patrice O’ Neal “Mr. P”
Favorite Comedy Special: Patrice O’Neal “Elephant in the Room”
Favorite Comedy Movie: Wedding Crashers
Favorite Comedy TV Show: Martin/Curb Your Enthusiasm
Favorite Comedic Character: Martin playing Dragon Fly Jones or Jerome.
Favorite City to Perform In: Portland, OR
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Personal stories and outlandish ridiculous made-
up what-if scenarios in my head.
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: Slightly buzzed, came to laugh,
and I want to have a good time. I have the most fun when I’m going back and forth with an audience.
Favorite Comedy Club: Laughs Unlimited Comedy Club
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
In my 8 th grade English class. I’d write random funny stories and my teacher encouraged me to read them out loud. The class laughed at all the funny parts and she had me read them once a month. It gave me a positive outlet for creativity during my parent’s divorce.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
How nervous I was and how much I had thought about it leading up to that day. I rehearsed like a maniac and kept thinking people were going to boo me off stage.
How would you describe your comedic style:
Off the top, a lot of personal stories, and random as hell. I always enjoy seeing a couple of confused faces in the crowd.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
Write, rehearse, perform, listen to the recording, edit, and repeat all the steps again. I feel writing helps cut out a lot of the fat beforehand and rehearsing it a few times helps it come out a lot smoother.
It may still bomb, but it’s not because it comes out choppy.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
Diverse, really embracing of people who work hard, a lot of different styles, and talented with a lot of killers.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
I think it changes the longer you do it. At first, you just want to be able to get on stage and get through your five minutes. Then it’s getting on showcases, passed at clubs, getting into festivals, etc. I want to be funny in any room, regardless of demographic. I realized things happen differently than you envisioned sometimes. If I am working hard and getting better, opportunities will happen.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Carlos Rodriguez, Ellis Rodriguez, Dejan Tyler, Kiry Shabazz, JR De Guzman, Mike E Winfield, Anthony K, Lance Woods, and Cheryl “The Soccer Mom” Anderson. They’re all different but can kill in any room regardless of the demographic.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
Getting selected as a StandUp NBC semi-finalist. The number of comedians and talent during the auditions was crazy. Sometimes you start to doubt yourself or wonder if you are being delusional with your aspirations. It was a sense of validation and suppressed those negative thoughts until the next time I bombed, was in the parking lot of a Carl’s Jr. crying, and had my tears gently land on the sesame seed bun of a Western Bacon Cheeseburger.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
Growing up playing sports my whole life really helped to deal with all the adversity and failure. If I bomb or have a bad show, I immediately envision having to go back on stage for the same show and think about what I could change. There is always something you could do differently like changing jokes, coming out with more energy, talking slower, sounding more conversational, riffing more, etc. I make those changes the next time I’m in that situation, or else I will get the same result. If I don’t do well in a certain room/demographic, I keep going back to that room. I like to put myself in as many uncomfortable situations as possible. Stop only going to rooms you do well in!
How do people react towards you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
I think a lot of people are surprised. They definitely don’t think I will talk the way I do.
Describe what it’s been like building a career in stand-up comedy:
It has been one of the hardest, most difficult, and rewarding experiences of my life. It has definitely made me a better person having to constantly make fun of my own flaws, beliefs, family, relationships, etc. You start to understand your voice and what works for you. It always keeps you humble and I have a lot of respect for anyone pursuing comedy seriously.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
People are being offended by jokes. I would also want to remove comedians’ egos. Some comedian’s egos are insane. I fantasize about hiring a sniper to take them out while they are buying a gold leather notebook and feathered quill pen from Staples. Just one shot and their lifeless body fall into the HP OfficeJet printers. As they reach up for help, I kneel down and say, “that’s what happens when you keep posting that you crushed it on stage. I was there, you delusional maniac. You got two laughs and walked three tables.” As a side note, I also think comics who aren’t funny off stage are psychotic and I don’t trust them.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
Focus on yourself and don’t worry about everyone else.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
Random Thoughts
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
I was bartending at a nightclub and got called in on an off night for a private event. It was the after-party for Sacramento Kings player Bobby Jackson’s comedy fundraiser. It was an open bar and I was slammed from the moment I got there. Right, when I got there I saw Jamie Foxx and E-40, but I was so busy I didn’t even realize who else was there until I served them drinks. I accidentally ended up being rude to a bunch of celebrities.
Someone ordered two shots of Patron. I got them and started taking another order. He then interrupted me to ask for lemons. I put my hand up irritated and said “just a second” and realized it was Kid from Kid N’ Play. I got him the lemons and kept making drinks.
Later in the night I was wiping the counter and I asked this tiny woman wearing a hoodie three times if she could move her elbow, but the music was so loud she couldn’t hear me. So I wiped the area and hit her elbow. She turned around and it was Kevin Hart. I swear I thought it was a tiny woman. I apologized and he was super nice about it.
End of the night everyone was leaving. I was on the dance floor talking to a bouncer as he’s trying to get people to leave. He had to take care of an issue and told me, “Hey, I’ll be right back. Don’t let anyone exit out of this door. Make them go out of the main one on the right.” I said, “I got you.” I’m watching the main exit on the right to see what other celebrities were at the club and I hear someone to the left ask, “Can I go out this door?” I wasn’t looking at him and said, “No man, you have to go out the main entrance.” He said, “For reals?” I turned to look at him and it was Ron Artest, a small forward for the Sacramento Kings at the time. I didn’t want to seem like a groupie who changes how I treat people because they’re famous, so I held my ground and said, “Yeah man, you have to go out the main entrance.” He walked towards the main entrance and got mobbed by forty drunk people all grabbing him, taking pictures, and having him sign autographs. It took him like thirty minutes to leave.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
On the bed of a tow truck in a parking lot. That or a strip club.
A Robert Omoto Fun Fact:
I went on vacation to Niagara Falls with my godfather who was 70. We were staying on the Canadian side at the Marriott. They stopped us at the border and did a background check. They said, “We can’t let you through, you have a DUI.” I said, “Everyone in California has a DUI.” They said, “Well we can’t let you through for ten years if you have a misdemeanor. You also have a petty theft here for stealing from Macy’s?” My godfather looked over at me. I was like, “Dude, I get it. I’m not getting over anyways. Why do you keep reading my record?” It was a holiday weekend and we ended up having to stay on the American side at a Motel 6.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
Touring across the country, writing on a show, multiple comedy specials, and podcasting with the funniest people on the planet.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Go check out an open mic, get a feel for the environment, and see if you feel like you should be up there. Don’t overthink it, you’ll never feel ready to start. Just pick a date, get five minutes ready, rehearse it, and try to get through it. Getting on stage your first time is a huge accomplishment. If you like it, keep going up as much as possible. Record your sets and keep replacing jokes that don’t work until you have a strong five minutes.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
I think people need it more than ever right now. There are more avenues for comedians now. People like Andrew Schulz have created their own lanes with YouTube and social media. It completely changed everything.
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:
Curb Your Enthusiasm. Larry gets into it with the elderly nosey neighbor across the street who acts like she is taking walks for exercise, but is really just trying to look into his garage.
If you could choose 1 comedy club and 3 comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
Patrice O’Neal, Bill Burr, and Dave Chappelle. I would do one minute to open and get the hell off stage, so I could watch.
What’s next for you:
Continuing to get better and writing a lot more personal stories about my family and ridiculous things that have happened to me.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
For me, it’s the best way to deal with failure, embarrassment, trauma, etc. I never take anything seriously and it makes life so much more enjoyable.
You don’t get to choose when you go, so enjoy it while you can. Live your life for the memories, you never remember the days you didn’t do something because you had to work.
Watch Robert Omoto at the Punch Line Sacramento:
Follow Robert Omoto’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @bobbyomoto
