As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Gabriel Alexander. The Stockton, CA native shares some of his favorite moments in stand-up comedy and lets us know how he always own the laughs.
Name: Gabriel Alexander
Hometown: Stockton, CA
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @gabe209alex
Years in Comedy: 4
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: The Sacramento International Airport commercial: “DANG”!
Comedic Influences: Eddie Murphy, Patrice O’Neal, Mitch Hedberg, Robert Schimmel, Big Jay Oakerson & Dave Attell
Favorite Comedy Album: Mitch Hedberg “All Together”
Favorite Comedy Special: It’s a tie between Eddie Murphy “Raw” & Patrice O’Neal “Elephant In The Room”
Favorite Comedy Movie: This is a hard question… I’d say Pineapple Express and Wet Hot American Summer
Favorite Comedy TV Show: Insomniac & The Office
Favorite Comedic Character: Adam Sandler’s character in “Funny People”
Favorite City to Perform In: Sacramento, CA. – but I have a place in my heart for all the mountain towns around Northern California.
Favorite Topics to Joke About: My life & my hometown
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: Pretty much the audience that come to laugh and have a good time… basically those who checked their feelings & outside voices at the door (Laughs)
Favorite Comedy Club: I must say I always have a fun time at Punchline Sacramento…
But, Laughs Unlimited Comedy Club and Lounge in Old-Sac – first club I ever saw live comedy at, first club to perform in and first club to take a chance one me – no matter what it will always be my #1.
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
I had a rough upbringing and I went through a lot, but being able to laugh about things and make other hood kids in neighborhood laugh was a way to deal with it… then I saw Eddie Murphys RAW and that basically made me fall in love with the craft.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
It was a dive bar in Stockton called Finn’s. I just remember thinking, “Oh yeah these people don’t give a damn about me” (Laughs) but being up there was so dope!
How would you describe your comedic style:
Definitely geared towards a more story telling approach.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
I drink some coffee, put on a funny podcast to set the mood & let my ADHD take the wheel… basically I walked around my place with a notepad talking and laughing to myself.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
The 209 has so many hitters! From Insane Wayne, Ellis Rodriguez & the def puppies and friends … when I started they’d had not only paved a way for me and my friends, but built a solid road for us to go down. I was lucky to come around people who really put the work in to have as an example.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
Not quitting, Not complaining, stay writing & grinding. If you’re performing for 2 or 200 people make sure you kill.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Man… I can’t wait to the hear the “Quit kissing ass” comments next time I’m around lol, but…
Ellis Rodriguez, Insane Wayne, Robert Omoto, Benton Hershaw (I might have spelled that how I always pronounsit lol), Taylor Evans, Connor Martin, Nick Michelsen/Foster, Logan Farr, Paul Conyers, Ryan Holloway, Colin Casados, Ricco the great, Alvin Duke, Molly MaGee, Key Lewis, Kane Holloway, Regina Givens, Josh Means, Ruby S., Sydney Stigerts, Chelsea Bearce, Tristan Johnson, J.R. De Guzman…
Those so many… I’m a fan of comedy as much as I’m a Comedian myself. Our Nor-Cal scene from Stockton, Sacramento, Bay Area up to Chico and down to LA/SD has some funny people man.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
Definitely my first booked weekend at Laughs… but my first Pro/AM was pretty dope too.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
Be prepared. This is an art form as much another other, so you have to take this serious and not just play around up there & there’s no such thing as a finished joke… you can always add tags and change things up.
How do people react towards you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
They always want me to tell em a joke or tell me I’m brave for going on stage infront of strangers.
Describe what it’s been like building a career in stand-up comedy:
Getting passed at my home club & home scene… then eventually moving outward to see the rest of the country. As much as I love the 209 and Nor-cal there’s so much more out there in LA, NY, TX, Chicago, Etc. I want to see it all and I will… but I have to become undeniable here first.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
For the public to realize that everything we say on stage ARE JOKES! I don’t think Comedy gets the respect it truly deserves… maybe that comes from so many great Comedians making it look easy that other people actually believe it is? IDK… Also, while I have the platform, Comedians! Stop hating on each other!? It’s us very them… not us vs us.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
*Film your set (always)
*Write
*And whether you bomb or kill… move on! Don’t take it your last set into your next.
*Support each others work & accomplishments.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
“You know what I mean?” Or “Just Another Stockton Story”
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
I got into an altercation with the Ying Yang Twins in San Diego then ended up getting blackout drunk and waking up in Mexico… #GoodTimes (Laughs)
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
A civil war museum
AA meeting
A random park in Lodi, CA.
Someone’s Backyard
A Gabriel Alexander Fun Fact:
I’m pretty much an open book on or off stage… ummm… I’m a father, College Graduate (GO TIGERS!), I love shrooms & weed (Laughs), I’m definitely a bit crazy & I love all kids of art (especially graffiti & film photography)
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
I’d like it to take me all around the United States – I want to see everything & everyone.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
You’re the boss on that stage. You’re in command, but if you go up there without confidence you’ll end up getting owned. This game isn’t for the weak!
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
I think it’s growing and it will continue too… definitely the Andrew Schulz style of posting viral crowd Work clips has gotten very big – I’d like to see where it goes. Im excited either way… unless they start giving us jail time for words (Laughs)
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 Office – a recruiting company moves in next door and they introduce us to a whole new set of cubicle life (I was in recruiting for 8 years) – eventually they start beefing about which work is harder or more important and both offices compete in Industry Wars.
If you could choose 1 comedy club and 3 comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
Laughs Unlimited
Me hosting
Ellis Rodriguez & Insane Wayne co-headlining
It would be amazing! Mostly because of them two (Laughs)
What’s next for you:
I’m eyeing being a regular at other clubs in the area. I’d like to get back to throwing my own show in the area and hit the road outside of my state.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
Because you have to. Laughing at all this shit is the light that guides us through the dark bro. My mom used to always say, “The moment they take my ability to laugh is the moment they may take my life” I honestly never understood it until I became older.
Follow Gabriel Alexander’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: Gabriel Alexander
