As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Steve Furey. The Sacramento, CA native shares some of his favorite moments in stand-up comedy and lets us know how he always owns the laughs.
Name: Steve Furey
Hometown: Sacramento/Los Angeles, CA
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @scubastevefurey
Years in Comedy: 12
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: Co-host of Dating No Filter on Hulu, Iliza’s Locals, and Don’t Tell Comedy
Comedic Influences: Jim Gaffigan, Bert Kreischer, Brian Regan, and Bernie Mac
Favorite Comedy Album: Dave Attell “Skanks For The Memories”
Favorite Comedy Special: Comedy Central Presents: Brian Regan
Favorite Comedy Movie: Reservoir Dogs
Favorite Comedy TV Show: King of the Hill
Favorite Comedic Character: Ace Ventura
Favorite City to Perform In: Phoenix, AZ
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Stories and Food
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: People who got babysitters to come. They’re there for a good time.
Favorite Comedy Club: The Comedy Store
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
It’s all I ever wanted to do. Would write jokes as I mowed the lawn as a kid.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
It was at Laughs Unlimited in Sacramento. I got there two hours early and proceeded to get pretty drunk. Did pretty well, but my leg wouldn’t stop shaking. Haven’t stopped since.
How would you describe your comedic style:
Awesome!
Describe your process for comedic writing:
Stand Up is all I think about, I’m not well. All day long time thinking of bits or working on jokes in my head. I have joke files on my phone and will add tags and stuff constantly throughout the day. Then before I go on stage, I reread the notes on stage and write more on stage.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
I’m in LA. Definitely the hardest comedy scene in America. Credits don’t matter, you sign up for open mics with guys who’ve done Conan 4 times. Or you’re completing with legends for spots at the clubs. But the cream always rises, and I think beating a game on hard is a lot better than doing it on easy. People try to shit on LA, but everyone moves here so, you’re in the big leagues dog.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
You don’t need “A Day” and you can go out to lunch whenever you want.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Fahim Anwar is my favorite comic working today. I like things I can’t do, so seeing him come up with so many great new bits every week really drives me to be better.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
Doing a sold-out Cleveland Cavs arena with my boy Bert Kreischer. I was lucky to tour with him for a few years and it completely changed my life. F*cking love that dude.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
The audience won’t remember you if u stink. And if u bombed you’ll probably never see anyone in that audience again, so who gives a f*ck.
How do people react toward you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
I’m in a relationship with a woman I hope to marry one day and I met her at a comedy club. So, there yuh go.
Describe building a career in stand-up comedy:
Start in a small/medium scene. Get good there. Get passed at all your local clubs. Head to a slightly better scene. Do u shine there? Can u get passed at those clubs? Then move to LA or NY. It’s better to come to a huge scene when ur good rather than when ur new. But if u wanna go straight to the big leagues, go to NY first.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
Horrible crowd work clips making bad comics famous and audiences think we wanna talk to them. I don’t care how long you’ve been dating or what your job is. I’ve been working on some very good jokes for years, I’d like to tell you them. I’m not a Census worker, I don’t care how many kids you have. I wanna make you laugh, not collect data or wait for you to mess up so everyone can laugh at you.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
Be nice to everyone.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
“Food, Sex, and Drugs.”
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
Being at The Comedy Store for so long, you see and meet a lot of cool people. BUT chilling with Aaron Rodgers and Bert on his tour bus was pretty surreal.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
Funeral.
A Steve Furey Fun Fact:
I’m an only child.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
I just want the respect of my peers, a decent savings account and to never worry about rent.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Write, Write, Write! But that doesn’t mean only do new material. A fantastic joke takes time to develop. So I like to do the sandwich theory. I start with a good jokes up top. Then in the middle try some new stuff and end on a banger. You always wanna be trying new jokes, but you also never know who’s watching. So a fair balance always works. You never wanna be the guy doing the same 15 mins for 8 years, nor the person who has no jokes, but he doesn’t say the same thing twice.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
Hoping this bubble doesn’t burst.
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 Simpsons, a crossover episode where Bobby Hill meets Bart Simpson.
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 Room) and doesn’t matter who it is.
What’s next for you:
I’m coming to the Sacramento Punchline on May 25th – 27th, and you can see me weekly at The Comedy Store in Hollywood, CA. The first week in May I’ll be at The Comedy Mothership in Austin, TX.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
Because they’re more fun to be around. No one tryna hang out with some stone-faced asshole.
Follow Steve Furey’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: Steve Furey
Youtube: Steve Furey
Personal Website: Steve Furey
