She’s just your average cyclone blowing through town and leaving nothing but laughter in her wake. As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Lin Sun. The Alhambra, CA native shares some of her favorite moments in stand-up comedy and lets us know how she always owns the laughs.
Name: Lin Sun
Hometown: Alhambra, CA
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @llinsuntv
Years in Comedy: 3 1/2 years
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: Peacock’s Comedy InvAsian premiering on May 1st.
Comedic Influences: Wanda Sykes, Chappelle, Jerrod Carmichael, Michael Che, Neal Brennan, Margaret Cho, & Mitch Hedberg
Favorite Comedy Album: Any Mitch Hedberg albums!
Favorite Comedy Special: Wanda Sykes “Not Normal” & Dave Chappelle “Sticks & Stones”
Favorite Comedy Movie: The Proposal
Favorite Comedy TV Show: Grace & Frankie
Favorite Comedic Character: Karen from Will & Grace
Favorite City to Perform In: Los Angeles, but I know NYC will be AMAZING too.
Favorite Topics to Joke About: The layers of relationships
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: Audiences who aren’t stuffy
Favorite Comedy Club: The Comedy Store
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
Listening to Steve Harvey’s motivational speaking about “living your gifts” and becoming a mother. What can be harder than parenting? So I finally decided to try stand-up!
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
It was at Flappers Comedy Club in Burbank, a graduation showcase with Pretty, Funny Women. I did well! I got 2 applause breaks without even knowing what applause breaks were. I also remember asking myself, “Is the audience just an overly supportive crowd?”
How would you describe your comedic style:
Blunt, sarcastic, dark & personal
Describe your process for comedic writing:
I write by just living life. A joke will come to me as I am paying attention and living life. I write it down, then I keep punching it up until I get to the punchline I want. I also run it by Georgie Valko and Susan Ware quite a bit, two people whom I respect. I also get a lot of my jokes and punch-ups in the shower or in the car while driving.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
Everyone is a “comedian”!
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
Success is true happiness. Whatever that looks like for each individual.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Georgie Valko, Susan Ware, Sally Mullins, Kil Theodrik, Antjuan Tobias, & Brooklyn Jones.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
Shooting my 30 min special with Comedy Invasian and my first one-hour special, Model Minority!
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
STAY HUMBLE! Have the perfect amount of humility + confidence.
How do people react towards you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
They expect me to be funny all the time. I am NOT funny all the time. I’m mostly funny on stage.
Describe what it’s been like building a career in stand-up comedy:
The beauty of today is that there are different avenues one can take. Personally, I started by taking a class because I’m too chicken shit to jump into an open mic. I learned how to write a standup joke. Then I submitted to shows and did as many shows as I could. 5 months into standup, I was bold enough to ask Lisa Sundstedt if she would consider me for her Laugh Factory show. I told her I could get butts in seats. She took a chance on me. My clip from that night was posted on the Laugh Factory Instagram page, which got 1.2 million views! I gained some fans and followers from that. From that clip, I was invited to be on The All Out Show on Shade 45 Sirius XM radio station. Got more followers from that. In 2020, during the lockdown, I continued to do standup on zoom and hone my writing skills. 2021, I was cast to be a part of Comedy Invasion. I shot a 30 min special. It will be released on Peacock on May 1! November 2021, I produced my first one-hour special. Currently in post-production. Today, I continue to do what I love, be happy, and take my comedy career very seriously. I take pride in what I do. I am happy to be of service by making people laugh and have a great time at my shows.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
Make it more exclusive to be a comedian.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
PAUSE! Don’t be afraid of silence.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
My special coming to Peacock is titled “Happy Endings”! But if I were to release one THIS WEEK? uhm…. “Whiskey Interrupted”
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
I saw Keanu Reeves at my restaurant! I stared at that tall drink of water while he was taking off his biker gloves, and jacket and settling in his seat. I stood there silently right in front of him and just stared. Then asked if he would like a beverage. He ordered iced green tea.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
On Zoom.
A Lin Sun Fun Fact:
I am good at volleyball and I made it to the cheerleading team in high school! My mom couldn’t afford to keep me on the team so I had to quit. But hey, I made it!
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
An HBO Special and touring the world.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Keep practicing. Writing good stand-up jokes. Be comfortable in silence. Be your authentic self. Stay Humble. Think of longevity.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
I AM EXCITED!!!! Gotta roll with the punches.
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:
Screenwriting is NOT my gift. BUT if I were to write an episode it would be for Friends. Episode: The One Where Phoebe Makes an Asian Friend. She introduces her as “this is my new Asian friend”
If you could choose 1 comedy club and 3 comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
The Comedy Store Main Stage! with Georgie Valko, Jerrod Charmichael, & Wanda Sykes
What’s next for you:
Riding the waves of my career. Getting my one-hour special completed. Travel to do stand-up.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
It keeps us grateful, healthy & light-hearted.
Watch Lin Sun on Comedy InvAsian 2.0 on Peacock:
Follow Lin Sun’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @linsuntv
Youtube: Lin Sun
Personal Website: Lin Sun
