As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Olivia Janile. The New Castle, PA native shares some of her favorite moments in stand-up comedy and lets us know how she always owns the laughs.
Name: Olivia Janile
Hometown: New Castle, PA/Los Angeles, CA
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @oliviajanile
Years in Comedy: 2
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: All of my credits are on OnlyFans ????
Comedic Influences: Nikki Glaser
Favorite Comedy Album: Honestly, my brain is super SQUIRREL. I can’t listen to anything without having someone to look at!
Favorite Comedy Special: Patrice O’Neal “Elephant in the Room”
Favorite Comedy Movie: This is 40
Favorite Comedy TV Show: Schitt’s Creek
Favorite Comedic Character: Alexis Rose
Favorite City to Perform In: Las Vegas, NV
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Pussy (you know what they say about female comics!)
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: The kind that laugh ????
Favorite Comedy Club: Hilarities (Cleveland, OH)
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
Doing it! I always thought I would love it because I’ve never fit in anywhere in the “real world” but it wasn’t until I started doing it that I realized how much fun it really is.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
Bombing… shocker! But the very last joke I told worked, and hearing that laughter was immediately addicting.
How would you describe your comedic style:
Punchy, way too dirty, and lots of fun!
Describe your process for comedic writing:
PEN AND PAPER! I hate digital. I start with brainstorming; list style. I like to write out how I think the joke is going to go word for word, and then bring it to the stage and realize how much work it still needs. After that, it’s just editing and editing… and more editing.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
There’s so many great comics and producers in LA. It might be seen as highly competitive, but I think of it as highly collaborative. If I wasn’t surrounded by so much talent, I wouldn’t be forced to grow and level up. That’s what I love about it. There’s always somewhere to perform and get better. Late night comedy is my favorite, and LA has a huge midnight scene.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
Happiness! Some of the comics that are considered traditionally successful (high paid, spots at the top clubs) and they’re miserable to be around. I think the only way to be successful in this world is to find happiness from it. If you’re going to be miserable, why not get a 9-5? At least it includes health insurance.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Alex Conn, Allyson Vastano, Fanto, Dan Walsh, CJ Price, & Blake Hammond (he’s an Ohio guy!)
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
I’ve hosted a few shows that I got to bring up comics that I’ve watched for years – long before I even knew I wanted to do comedy. Chris Franjola, Jeff Dye, & Ian Bagg.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
Looking like an idiot is a part of life, whether you’re on a stage, at a desk, or in line at the grocery store. The sooner you accept it, the sooner you can get on with existing – and not making your choices based on “what happens if…?”
How do people react toward you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
“Tell me a joke!” That’s normally the first response I get when I tell people I’m a comic. And I usually fail at it…
One of these days I’m going to write a great street joke. There has to be a better reason for the chicken crossing the road, right?
Once people have seen me perform, I’ve found that I get a ton of support; not just in comedy but in life. The people who have offered me a place to stay, fed me when I’m town, picked me up from the airport, purchased merch they’ll never use have shocked me. I’ve found that for every person who judges me, there’s 5 people who are rooting me. That will never not be humbling.
Describe building a career in stand-up comedy:
Throw spaghetti at the wall and see what sticks. This thing is so much trial and error. It’s ever-changing, and we get to make the rules. I think the most limiting thing I can do right now is decide how it’s going to look, because none of us really know how it will play out. All I really plan to do is to keep an open mind and have fun.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
Eliminate: the “you can’t say that” culture. This is an art form; in some quirky, fucked up way. Things have been deemed inappropriate or cancel-worthy, and it’s creating fear. Artists are best when they get to be themselves.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
The more fun you have, the more fun they’ll have (the audience).
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
“This is going to suck.”
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
I haven’t had many celebrity interactions. I moved to LA during the pandemic, and they haven’t really been out much.
I did a show with Kurt Metzger in Bakersfield and we rode up there together. I can’t remember a specific moment, but I know that he made me laugh the entire time.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
A sober living facility
An Olivia Janile Fun Fact:
I used to be a nurse; I was terrible at it. Do you know how hard it is to be professional while inserting something into a dick?
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
All over the world. I’ve always loved to explore the world and different cultures. Nothing teaches you more about a group of people than learning what makes them laugh. I’d love to make money, but I’ve earned money, spent money, lost money… I don’t remember anything about it. But the people I’ve met and the experiences I’ve had can’t buy shoes I’ll wear one time.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Try it and see how you feel. You will suck at first, but Don’t overthink it, just take the plunge. You’ll know right away if you love it or hate it.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
Honestly, who knows? The world changes every day now, and this will probably look very different in the next 5 years. But I hope it will still be fun, maybe even more fun.
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:
Schitts Creek. I love the characters in that show and writing for them would be so much fun. I’d love to do a flashback episode showing David and Alexis in their past, rich lives highlighting one of the fun stories they’ve told about their rich kid experiences.
What’s next for you:
A lot of hustle, learning, and growing. I’m excited to see what’s in store for this year, but dreading the grownup side of myself that I need to locate and embrace to work on the business. It took me 3 months to respond to this email (sorry!) so I know I have a lot of places that are holding me back. I have lots of dates on the road this year, and with that will come a lot of new perspectives and thoughts. I don’t know what that will turn into, but it will be fun to watch!
Why should a person always laugh at life:
It goes how it goes either way. Imagine if getting hit by a train could be fun?
Follow Olivia Janile’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: Olivia Janile
Youtube: Olivia Janile
Personal Website: Olivia Janile
Podcast: THOTS w/ Allyson Vastano on OFs
