As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Oliver Wong. The Los Angeles, CA native shares with us some of his favorite moments in stand-up comedy and lets us know how he owns the laughs.
Name: Oliver Wong
Hometown: Taiwan/Los Angeles, CA
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @oliverwongcomedy
Years in Comedy: 3 years
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: Best of the Fest at 2021 Burbank Comedy Festival
Comedic Influences: Ali Wong, John Mulaney, Mark Normand, Marc Maron, Iliza Shlesinger, & Matteo Lane
Favorite Comedy Album: Mark Normand’s “Don’t Be Yourself”
Favorite Comedy Special: Ali Wong’s “Baby Cobra”
Favorite Comedy Movie: Legally Blonde
Favorite Comedy TV Show: How I Met Your Mother
Favorite Comedic Character: Elle Woods
Favorite City to Perform In: Los Angeles, CA
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Gay, Asian, Immigration, & Dating
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: LGBTQ+
Favorite Comedy Club: I love every club, well, except for some.
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
In 2018, I was severely depressed and needed an outlet to express my emotions. I saw the audition information at Flappers Comedy Club and decided to give it try. I stepped on the stage and never looked back since.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
I was frantic, or at least, emotionally I felt very frantic. It was a mixed feeling of nervousness, excitement, anticipation, joy, and the instant gratification you usually get from hearing the audience laugh. I remembering feeling surprised when I realized that when you are on the stage, it’s almost impossible for you to see the faces of the audience.
How would you describe your comedic style:
Energetic, witty, gay. I know it sounds vague, so you will have to come to see my show!
Describe your process for comedic writing:
I usually write things about myself. So before a writing session, I will ask myself, “What is bothering me today? Or, not even just today. What is bothering me for a long time?” Then I will go from there, write some jokes, test it out at open mics, and eventually do it at shows.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
The LA comedy scene is big but also small. It is big in the sense that it is literally a huge city, and very spread-out. East Los Angeles and Santa Monica are practically two different cities even though they are both considered the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area. When you live in such a big city, there are many opportunities and you get to know people of all kinds. But it is also small because people do form circles, as human beings do. Once you are inside a particular circle, you may tend to stay in that circle.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
Make people laugh & make a living.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
There are so many. It’s hard to name all of them, and I know I will forget someone. I do think that building friendships with your peers is very important in the comedy scene. I personally believe that comedy is not just a career. It’s not just something I do. It’s a lifestyle choice that I do to meet friends I want to hang out with.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
The first time I got paid! $10! I will always remember the producer and be thankful for her. Once you get paid for doing comedy, it’s a confidence booster.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
Don’t get too hung up on a bad set. Just move on and keep working hard and get better!
How do people react towards you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
They usually say something along the lines, “You are funny!”
Describe what it’s been like building a career in stand-up comedy:
It’s day-and-night hustling. You never really rest. You constantly think about how to improve a joke or what content you want to make on social media. But work-life balance is definitely important and I am learning hard to know when to relax.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
Please pay comedians properly.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
Don’t judge your joke just from an open mic set.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
Gay Angry Nerd
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
I think the only celebrity I have met is probably Jay Leno. I met him at Flappers a few weeks ago. It was not really a funny encounter. I was in the green room with him and some other comedians. He was very kind and happy to talk to us!
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
LA Zoo
An Oliver Wong Fun Fact:
I need to turn on my white noise machine every night before I go to sleep.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
I want to make a living telling jokes!
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Start from open mics.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
Social media is gonna change a lot of things. Utilize the power of social media. Create funny content, engage with your fans, promote your work. Social media makes it easier for a newer comic to be seen.
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:
How I Met Your Mother. A drunk Ted Mosby kisses a gay sugar daddy at a club, and the daddy becomes a stalker who is obsessed with Ted.
What’s next for you:
I am working on my 1-hour materials and I aim to self-produce my own comedy special in 2022! And in the meantime, check out my podcast Get Intimate with Oliver Wong.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
Because life is meaningless and nobody cares.
Follow Oliver Wong comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @oliverwongcomedy
