As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Lexi Accinelli. The Sacramento, CA native shares some of her favorite moments in stand-up comedy and explains how she always owns the laughs.
Name: Lexi Accinelli
Hometown: Sacramento/Orange County, CA
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @Lexi.t.rexi
Years in Comedy: 2 years
Comedic Influences: Dave Chapelle, Steve Martin, Will Ferrell, Jordan Jensen, & John Mulaney
Favorite Comedy Album: Mitch Hedberg “Mitch All Together”
Favorite Comedy Special: Dave Chapelle “Sticks and Stones”
Favorite Comedy Movie: The Big Lebowski
Favorite Comedy TV Show: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Favorite Comedic Character: Bill Hader as Stefan on SNL
Favorite City to Perform In: Austin, TX
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Personal Traumas (hehe)
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: A sea full of bald men that resemble my dad
Favorite Comedy Club: The Comedy Store
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
I discovered my passion for comedy as a kid watching my dad always try to crack a joke even at the worst moments. My mom would say something like, “Hey Jim, can you take Godiva (our dog) for a walk?” And my dad would be like “Godiva is my B****. Get it? Cause she’s a female dog?” Then my mom would dry her tears with the unsigned divorce papers. In first grade my mom made me perform the song “Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh,” by Allan Sherman at my elementary school talent show. I practiced the song over and over again for weeks. When I got onstage I had no fear of public speaking and fell in love with performing. I assume all the parents were laughing because a kid who never even saw 9/11 was singing a song from 1963. Regardless, I loved the rehearsal process and enjoyed myself onstage. That was when I first learned I had a knack for performance and making people laugh.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
When I was nineteen, I performed at the Pro-Am at Laughs Unlimited in Sacramento, CA. Before the show, I threw up next to a group of seasoned comics smoking weed in an exclusive circle. I didn’t realize how tight-knit the comedy community is, so I thank the comedy gods everyday that nobody remembers me unleashing my inner artist onto the cobblestone road of Old Sacramento. As far as my set, I told a 3-minute story about my dad (no surprise) and it went pretty well. Ellis Rodriguez, who used to host the Pro-Am, pulled me aside afterwards and told me I was weird and that I should keep pursuing comedy.
How would you describe your comedic style:
I would describe my style as dark, dry, anecdotal, and irreverent. Sometimes I talk in a sing-songy voice though so there’s a lot of unpredictability regarding my style.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
I stay up until 3am and write jokes in my notes app. Anytime I think of something funny I jot it down in my notes and then expand on those ideas later when I’m ruminating about life. I always keep a notebook in my bag for when I want to write about something that happened that day. Whenever I catch myself stalking people on Instagram before bed I’m like, “Okay, now it’s time to be productive with your excess energy.” Also, I do some of my best writing while waiting for my turn at the open mic. When writing roasts, I make a list of all of the qualities my opponent sends me and connect unrelated aspects about them to create a joke.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
I love the comedy scene in Sacramento. It’s full of undeniably talented, supportive, and hard working people. I am still paving my way in the Orange County/LA scene but I have only been met with kind people with truckloads of talent. Like, over the weight capacity amount of talent. It’s a gift to be surrounded by people better than me because it only makes me a better comic.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
Everyone defines success differently and I believe success derives from your own personal fulfillment. If you’re making people laugh and having fun on stage then you are successful. Comedy is full of high highs and even lower lows. Staying focused on writing everyday and doing a little bit better than you did yesterday is the key to improving incrementally. It can be discouraging comparing yourself to other comedians so directing your attention on yourself is the true key to comedic prosperity.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Mike Nordstrom, Celeste Winter, Maryam Moosavi, Benton Harshaw, & Parker Newman
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
My most memorable moment in comedy was when I did the Naked Roast at Skankfest. I view myself as a pretty straight-edge person and when I was 21 I told myself, “You’re young, why not try it? This will be a fun story to tell!” I was so nervous. I took a four hour nap before the show because I didn’t want to be awake in the hours leading up to it. While Josh Means and I were performing, Mark Normand was sitting on the stage steps watching us. After I got off, I was told that Mark threw his hands up and yelled, “Ohhhh!” after hearing one of my jokes. It’s so cool knowing that one of the comedians I look up to the most watched me while I conquered my greatest fear. Roasting naked onstage in front of 600 people was one of the most scary, empowering, and oddly enough liberating things I’ve done in my entire life. I can’t think of many things that could top that.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
I have learned that your ego can recover from even the most embarrassing of moments and that taking risks will build you into a stronger person. I’ve been able to utilize that newfound strength in other aspects of my life. Like yeah, maybe it isn’t so embarrassing to ask for a water cup at Chipotle knowing you’re going to fill it with lemonade. You will be okay!
How do people react toward you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
Men on Tinder tell me that If I can make them laugh they will buy me a drink. I’m like, this in itself is a joke. I’ve also been stuck in multiple Uber rides where drivers try their own bits out on me while making unbreakable eye contact through the rearview mirror. From these experiences, I’ve taken a stance to not tell people about my standup anymore. I still use those cute stage photos on my Tinder though, so I am a proud hypocrite.
Describe building a career in stand-up comedy:
It’s like building a Jenga tower. You spend so much time building the tower only for one sexual misconduct case to tear it all down. Just kidding. I really think it’s a business about relationships and making sure you are ready to seize the moment when an opportunity arises. It takes patience, persistence, adaptability, and self-awareness to do comedy. You feel gracious when opportunities are given to you and you pay it forward when you are fortunate enough to give others opportunities to grow.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
I would create a website like RateMyProfessor but for comedians and bookers to rate each other. Dramatic? Yes. Necessary? No. But it would be fun.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
“Don’t put all your self worth into comedy. Make sure you have other friends and hobbies outside of comedy otherwise you will be cursed with getting a brain freeze every time you drink a Baja Blast.”
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
I would name my special, “Thee Italian Stallion.”
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
I met Jimmy Carr after he judged my roast battle at Netflix is a Joke. We talked for a couple minutes and when we were saying our goodbyes I said, “Good luck with everything Jimmy.” I don’t think he needs my luck.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
The weirdest place I’ve performed was in a backyard for an Armenian girl’s 18th birthday party. I mentioned that I was a feminist and one of her cousins heckled me and said women are less important than men. I asked him why and he replied, “Well, can you even fix a car?” I said I only know how to cook and then roasted him. Also, I started an open mic with one of my good friends—Josh Davis— in his garage during the peak of Sacramento summer heat. They’ve converted their garage into a space for weekly showcases. The fact that The Sesh has built itself into the coolest underground venue in Sacramento makes me very happy.
A Lexi Accinelli Fun Fact:
I was the founder of the Anti-Vape Alliance at my high school. I testified against the sale of flavored vapes at the California State Capital. Little did they know, I was insanely addicted to vaping the entire time.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
My goal is to be a touring comedian and produce my own sketch comedy show or sitcom. Keeping my creative juices flowing is how I stay sane so combining my career goals with my artistic endeavors has always been my plan. I am an introvert at heart so I feel a lot of fulfillment in working on projects by myself and then showcasing them to the world.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
You can own the laughs by purchasing them for $9.99 plus shipping. Batteries not included. To get batteries, you have to go to an open mic and steal them from the microphone. Then, go back to the same open mic a week later and tell a story about how you stole the batteries from the microphone. Consistency is key.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
I think we are approaching a new comedy renaissance. Comedy has reached a new era in which many comedians gain a following from Instagram or TikTok reels. I think reels excite and encourage people to go to their first comedy show. Once they’re there, they realize how much more enjoyable comedy is in person than on a screen. Comedy is meant to be watched live so you can feel the transfer of energy between the comic and the audience. You need to sit in the tension and unpredictability of a live show before understanding how magical it really is. Instagram or TikTok only shows a fraction of what’s happening. At the same time, social media introduces comedy to new fan bases that would have never thought to attend a comedy show.
If you could write an episode for ONE classic TV sitcom, which show would it be:
I would write an episode of Modern Family called, “Only Family,” where Gloria tries to convince Jay to start an OnlyFans.
If you could choose ONE comedy club and THREE comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
I would perform at The Comedy Cellar with Lucas Zelnick, Jordan Jensen, and Taylor Tomlinson. If the pay was good of course.
What’s next for you:
I am finishing school next Spring so I am excited to get my degree and start pursuing stand-up full time. I hope to keep writing, get more comfortable onstage, and stay true to my artistic passions. As far as where I am living, it is a toss-up between LA or Austin because I view both cities as the ‘Mecca’ of comedy.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
Laughter is the best coping mechanism and the most sincere way to connect with others. Human existance can be egregious and laughing at life’s absurdities is a healthy way to face hardships head-on.
Follow Lexi Accinelli’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: Lexi Accinelli
