As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Rick Storer. The San Luis Obispo, CA native shares with us some of his favorite moments in stand-up comedy and lets us know how he owns the laughs.
Name: Rick Storer
Hometown: San Luis Obispo, CA
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @whosrickstorer
Years in Comedy: 6
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: Man Up with Theo Von (YouTube)
Comedic Influences: Patrice O’Neal, Tom Segura, & Scott Aukerman
Favorite Comedy Album: John Mulaney “New In Town”
Favorite Comedy Special: Dave Chappelle “For What It’s Worth”
Favorite Comedy Movie: Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
Favorite Comedy TV Show: Schitt’s Creek or the IT Crowd
Favorite Comedic Character: Bojack Horseman (I know, I know, red flag)
Favorite City to Perform In: Anywhere in the Bay Area is usually a good time.
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Myself
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: An audience that is aware there is a comedy show going on. There’s nothing worse than forcing comedy on people who aren’t there for comedy.
Favorite Comedy Club: The Comedy Shrine, outside Chicago. It’s 2 stages and an entire museum of comedy memorabilia from stand-up and movies and TV.
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
The first time I absolutely crushed a room and got a standing ovation. I had enjoyed doing it before but when I had that first killer set I was completely hooked.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
It went a lot better than I thought, and I remember immediately thinking “OK, when’s the next one?”
How would you describe your comedic style:
That fun weird uncle who gets drunk and tells you stories about his crazy life.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
I get an idea for something and write down a concept. Then I riff on it at a few shows until I find the things about it that are funny and keep telling those parts. I don’t think I have a single joke actually written down.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
Lots of shows, but not that many comedians. Mostly tight-knit, but there’s definitely some cliquey high school BS that happens too. So you know, a lot like every other scene.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
When you get on Hot Ones with Sean Evans.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Biggest props first to the guy who got me started, Michael Zalusky. Also Nick Malizia, one of my favorite guys to watch. Corey Jernigan, I’ve traveled the country with that guy. Kelsie Rae, who came out of nowhere and started crushing immediately. And to any of the comics from SLO who’re reading this YOU TOO. Now I’m gonna be in trouble with everyone I didn’t mention.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
When after a show an audience member came up to me and had me sign her ticket stub because she was convinced it was gonna be worth something someday. I didn’t have the heart to correct her.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
Don’t take anything personally, and sometimes it actually IS the audience’s fault.
How do people react towards you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
It makes up for the whole bad face and being a fat thing, but then they always want me to tell them a joke, so it’s kind of an even trade-off.
Describe what it’s been like building a career in stand-up comedy:
A lot of hard work and sacrifice to drink beer and tell jokes.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
If people could stop blaming “cancel culture” for not being funny.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
Relax, slow down, and watch the room.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
Jokes I’m Sick Of Telling.
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
I was on a pilot for Comedy Central and I was dressed as a butler holding a tray of mini sandwiches and snacks I had made, standing next to Theo Von in a tuxedo T-shirt, handing Jon Lovitz individual grapes while he laid in bed and called David Spade to pitch him a TV show. I couldn’t help but think how ridiculous it was and started trying not to laugh so hard that I started pouring sweat, and Jon is leaving a voice-mail for Spade, and he puts the phone to his shoulder and turns to me with legitimate concern and goes “Are you OK, you’re sweating an awful lot. Do you need anything?” And I didn’t know what to say so I just said “Allergies.” And he pauses for a second and then just nods and goes back to pitching the TV show. I wish I could hear that voice-mail.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
An open mic at a sushi restaurant, some dude’s garage, and the San Jose Giants baseball stadium were all weird in very different ways.
A Rick Storer Fun Fact:
I used to be a rapper when I was 14 and recorded an album inspired by the Insane Clown Posse.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
Hot Ones with Sean Evans. A Netflix special would be cool too.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
The same thing I say to every new comic, get up as much as you want. The more you perform the better you get, and the better you get at reading audiences.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
I’m excited to see what happens when the panini is over.
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:
In an episode of Always Sunny where Charlie accidentally discovers time travel but isn’t even aware that he isn’t in his usual time anymore, he just thinks they renovated the bar.
If you could choose 1 comedy club and 3 comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
Probably the Comedy Store, just for the history. As far as comics, I mean I’d love Tom Segura, Bill Burr, and Rory Scovel but I’ll settle for Nick Malizia, Corey Jernigan, and Michael Zalusky.
What’s next for you:
I’m gonna get on Hot Ones with Sean Evans.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
Because it’s just a big joke anyway. No one knows what’s going on, there’s no meaning to anything, and we’re all just here doing our best.
Watch Rick Storer in Pismo Beach, CA:
Follow Rick Storer’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @whosrickstorer @spindocpod
Twitch: Rick Storer
YouTube: Rick Storer
