She’s barely getting her feet wet in the large pond that is stand-up comedy, but many legendary comics have seen her performance and described her as a duck to water. As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Lucey Love. The San Diego, CA native shares some of her favorite moments in stand-up comedy and lets us know how she always owns the laughs.
Name: Lucey Love
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @lucey_love_comedy
Years in Comedy: 1
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: None… yet! I’m hoping to focus on this area a little more in the near future.
Comedic Influences: Oof! There are so many… I grew up on a lot of Comic View and guys like The Kings of Comedy, George Lopez, Patrice O’Neal, Chris Rock, Ernie G, Dane Cook, etc. I think they have a heavy influence on my standards of comedy and what I enjoy. I would say my performance style is a little more influenced by guys like Tom Segura, Anthony Jesselnik, and Daniel Sloss. The most direct influence though would be Ali Wong. I feel like I’ve always loved comedy and entertaining loved ones, but didn’t think I could do it at the stand-up level because I didn’t see/hear any woman with a similar vibe to mine until I saw her first special.
Favorite Comedy Album: Patton Oswalt “Werewolves & Lollipops”
Favorite Comedy Special: Katt Williams “The Pimp Chronicles Pt.1”
Favorite Comedy Movie: White Chicks
Favorite Comedy TV Show: Community
Favorite Comedic Character: Stefan (Bill Hader SNL Character)
Favorite City to Perform In: San Diego
Favorite Topics to Joke About: I like playing with the dichotomy or lack thereof everyday stuff that is just weird and/or socially accepted
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: I’m not to picky about crowds, but preferably they’d actually like comedy.
Favorite Comedy Club: Mic Drop Comedy Club
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
I was raised as a 1st generation Mexican-American in a very traditional Catholic household; I would get in trouble pretty often for just being a kid. However, on special occasions when my family would all get together at my grandma’s house, my grandpa would call me over and let me tell stories. I loved this because it was really my only outlet to pretty much talk shit about my frustrations with unreasonable punishments. My grandpa, grandma, tias and mom would sit around the table cackling and chiming in with details or disagreements. One time we had family visiting from Mexico and as I was being invited over to the “adult table” I could hear my grandpa and grandma proudly talking about how good I was at holding a crowd and telling stories that made them laugh. Comedy was a little different in Mexico so my uncle was confused and while explaining my grandpa said, “Aqui se llama ‘stand-up comedian’…” That was the first time I ever heard someone refer to me as a comedian.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
That I was STRUGGLING to fill 3mins and I flubbed my closing joke/punchline, but I was able to find a nice little riff that got a huge reaction.
How would you describe your comedic style:
I think I’d be considered a pretty tongue and cheek comedian, but I’m working on adding more silliness and fun.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
It’s kind of random. I constantly jot down notes or record short voice notes that I go back to later and expand on. Usually it’s something strange I see while out and about or a crazy idea that pops up in my head in a normal situation.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
Umm… it’s interesting. From what I understand it’s not much different than most scenes, but I do appreciate how big it is. There are a lot of different ways to try and break into the scene and make a space for yourself.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
I think everyone has different versions of this, it’s not really for me to decide what would be considered success. Comedy is so much bigger than what most people consider; there’s a lot of ways outside of filling a theater for talking on stage. Personally, I will consider myself successful when I’m able to get paid enough to live a decent life for making people laugh.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Cameron Frost (@cam.eron.frost), Rui Montilla (@ruimontilla), and Camille Waters (@whiskeymomcomedy)
Cameron was the first person to embrace me into the scene, way before I ever even hit the stage. I’m still a huge fan of his comedy and grateful that he was nice/humble enough to make me feel welcome. Rui is a beast! He’s mos def on the come up and I’m glad to be able to consider him a comedy mentor/big bro in the scene. Camille is a hustler! I’m honored to be comedy BFFs, we met during a monthly seminar and instantly clicked. I have a ton of respect and admiration for all of them. The people who inspire me professionally right now are Brian Sampson and Taylor Tomlinson because they came from our scene not that long ago so it helps make it feel more obtainable.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
It’s a tie between 2 moments. The first one was when a woman came to the greenroom immediately after my set so she could shake my hand and tell me that she was inspired to start comedy because she finally saw/heard someone like her in the scene. The second was last week at The La Jolla Comedy Store. I was on the Roast Battle show against Camille where we were deemed battle of the night and personally invited by the hosts to The Comedy Store in Hollywood for a re-match on June 6.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
I think my “failures” have made me learn a lot about myself, some good and some bad. Anytime I feel like something supposedly failed there’s usually some internal dialogue I need to work through for myself.
How do people react toward you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
I don’t know? I feel like most people who meet me are already aware of my humor when interacting with me normally so when they see it on stage it’s not really that surprising or anything.
Describe building a career in stand-up comedy:
I think the best route is to go to as many open mics as you can to watch and study how it all works. Then I would say try writing some material and go to a mic to test it out. When you start going to the mics as a comedian, you should make an effort to network. I’d also encourage you to record all your sets and actually listen to them to clean-up your act and hear what works. If you’re being offered shows, take them and ask questions or listen to shop chop. If you’re interested in doing a show, ask how to be considered (don’t get upset or discouraged if not considered right away). Just keep rinsing and repeating into bigger and bigger opportunities.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
You’ll hear comedians talk a lot about how sensitive audiences can be, but honestly there’s a lot of unnecessarily hurt feelings amongst ourselves. Things usually get taken too personally, which can be limiting for growth in a lot of different ways.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
When I was still new I confessed to a comedian, Christan Ricketts (@cvricks), at an open mic that I was scared to have my first bomb and he said, “they only ever remember the homeruns.” To this day I just assume if I bomb the audience will be more focused on those who did well that night.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
“Good Oral & Mixed Emotions”
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
Years ago, I used to work at a nightclub that’s next to a local comedy club and I ran into Hannibal Buress, who I’m a HUGE fan of, so I approached him for a picture. At the time, I wasn’t as familiar with Eric Andre, but he was the one headlining and I didn’t recognize him so I asked him to take the picture of me and Hannibal. He wasn’t rude but sort of laughed it off and didn’t take the pic, so I took it selfie style. I honestly didn’t even realize it was him until months later in the middle of watching an episode of The Eric Andre Show. He’s a lot taller than what I would have assumed.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
In a BYOB, drug friendly, backyard wrestling venue that was in an alley.
A Lucey Love Fun Fact:
I have a teenage daughter who recently and reluctantly made me a cheer mom… (Sad Face)
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
I’m still fairly new to this stuff so I’m open and exploring my options.
Being a true stand-up comedian and selling out rooms would obviously be dope AF, but I wouldn’t mind being a writer/actress on a comedic TV show or movie either.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Just do what you think is funny, it’s either going to work or it’s not. If it’s not working- you can either fix your material, find an audience that will accommodate you, or quit.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
I’m curious to see how AI and things like ChatGPT will affect the scene, if at all, but I’m not really concerned about its future. Even if it’s not performed, comedy will just always exist.
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:
I think I would write an episode of New Girl where Nick, Schmidt, Winston, and Jess use dating apps to find dates to one of the weddings they were invited to in the earlier episodes.
If you could choose 1 comedy club and 3 comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
The La Jolla Comedy Store with Carlos Rodriguez (@carloscomedy) opening, Bill Burr featuring, and Eddie Murphy headlining. I would just host and take in all the greatness I can.
What’s next for you:
I’m starting a podcast and separate YouTube series later this month that you can stay up-to-date on by following me on Instagram @lucey_love_comedy.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
Learning to laugh at life can help with self and social awareness. Being able to laugh at me in life gave me the gift of a lot of interpersonal growth.
Follow Lucey Love’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: Lucey Love
