He’s performed across the country, sharing stages with names like Josh Blue, Greg Fitzsimmons, and the Sklar Brothers. His material blends heartfelt anecdotes about childhood and the dating scene with astute observations—especially about luxury athleisure—and plenty of “half-crazed retellings from his wild and wonderful life.” As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Parker Slavens. The Dallas, TX native shares some of his favorite moments in stand-up comedy and explains how he always owns the laughs.
Name: Parker Slavens
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Instagram/Twitter/Tik-Tok: @parkerslayyyvens/TikTok: @UserLotsofNumbers
Years in Comedy: 15
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: I’ve appeared on several local podcasts: I’m a Fan Of…, Oddball History, The Dingbat District, and Before They Stood Up. I also co-hosted a podcast with Tony Casillas (the comedian, not the football player) called The Before & After Podcast. Most recently, I published my first comedy special Parker Slavens: Harmful Romantic on YouTube.
Comedic Influences: Daniel Tosh, Aziz Ansari, Louis C.K., Mike Birbiglia, Pete Holmes, and Dave Chappelle
Favorite Comedy Album: Louis C.K. “Hilarious”
Favorite Comedy Special: Mike Birbiglia “My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend”
Favorite Comedy Movie: For straight-up comedy, Superbad. But if we’re counting The Big Short, then The Big Short. I also really liked Mountain Head on HBO.
Favorite Comedy TV Show: I don’t care what anyone says—Succession is one of the funniest shows of all time. Oh, and Community.
Favorite Comedic Character: Robert Downey Jr. as Kirk Lazarus in Tropic Thunder
Favorite City to Perform In: Dallas
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Personal and social psychology—why we are the way we are and why we do what we do.
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: Comedy fans!
Favorite Comedy Club: (Laughs), nice try. I love them all equally.
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
I always had a passion for performing. I was a munchkin in a community theatre production of The Wizard of Oz. After that, I became a kid magician and ended up performing at the Boardwalk at Disney World. It wasn’t until I watched the movie Funny People—which, while not a critical success, actually showed the process. Sitting at a coffee shop with a yellow legal pad, writing jokes, then performing them. It changed my perspective from thinking stand-up had high walls barring entry, to realizing anyone could just sign up and try.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
Oh boy, buckle in—I remember everything. We had just left Cook Children’s Hospital with great news after months of MRIs, blood tests, and waiting. I asked if we could go to Hyena’s in Dallas where there was an open mic. I was only 16, so my mom assumed they’d say no, not her. She told me I had to ask myself; she wouldn’t do it for me.
I asked to sign up, and the guy running the mic, Jerod Butler, let me. He said it would be the only time since I wasn’t of age. We waited until nearly midnight, and they finally called my name. I went up, and it went great—as great as a 16-year-old’s first time could go. I had jokes about Nike-branded condoms, chores, and the Kung Fu Panda video game.
After my set, Jerod told me, “Come back next week.” My mom agreed—as long as I kept my grades up.
How would you describe your comedic style:
Energetic, sharp, occasionally unhinged.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
It starts with collecting ideas—writing daily and regularly. I do morning pages, keep a pocket notebook to jot down ideas or premises, and write about my insecurities, faults, and shame. Then I sift. The easy ones come first, but the ones I’m afraid to share are usually the great ones. Some jokes work right away, but most take time to refine. Often I’ll step away, write new material, and months later something will click.
Doing sets is the most important part. You can’t know if something is funny without an audience—you can’t develop in a vacuum.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
I don’t get too deep into scene politics; I think it’s a trap that distracts from the work. But Dallas has plenty of people who do the work. It’s a club-heavy city (nine clubs in DFW, maybe more), so you learn to develop for club audiences. There are also great DIY shows like Cowabunga Comedy in Plano. Dallas is a great place to start and cut your teeth—many of Austin’s best comics started here. But from what I’ve seen, eventually you have to leave Dallas. Maybe that’ll change someday.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
Personally. I try to avoid comparison beyond myself—it’s not easy, but my support system helps. To me, success is creating and releasing work I’m proud of, regardless of views or likes. Even if no one watches, finishing something to my taste and publishing it is success.
Most of my goals are things I can directly control: Did I do more sets than last year? Am I showing up every day? Am I making progress?
Of course, I want to headline and sell out those dates, but that only comes from doing the work—sets, writing, refining. Over the next five years, my goal is to build a body of work I’m proud of. If by 2030 I can point to that, I’ll consider myself successful. To quote a movie my dad loves: “Build it, and they will come.”
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Tony Casillas—he constantly pushes me out of my comfort zone.
Jimmy Nelson—a great friend who sharpens my ideas and always talks comedy with me.
CAIN—a newer friend, newer comic, but you’d think he’s a seasoned vet. He inspires me to lean into my weirder, more artistic ideas.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
Walking into an improv class after a hiatus and meeting the teacher who is now my wife.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
Redefine success as simply trying—it makes it more achievable. Hard work is rewarded, but not always how you expect. And you have to bomb to get better. Go toward what scares you.
How do people react toward you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
Almost everyone says, “Really? I can’t see you being a comedian.” I take it as a compliment. I’m funny around other comics and close friends. I don’t need to be the center of attention in every room.
Describe building a career in stand-up comedy:
Remember that Nike condom joke? Just do it. Comedy is a labyrinth—you’ll get lost, backtrack, get lost again. Stay in it and you’ll find your way. It’s also the long con. If you want to be rich, go into finance. Stand-up takes years, and there’s no guarantee of fame or fortune. If you still want to do it knowing you might only perform locally for 10 years, then you’re making the right choice.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
The jealousy, bitterness, and cliquishness. Comedy isn’t a zero-sum game. Someone else’s success isn’t your failure. This mentality comes in waves, but it’s been on the rise again. Focus on yourself. Mud-slinging for attention is juvenile and bad for the art.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
Most advice is just another comic trying to turn you into them. Don’t let anyone dictate your style.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
Oh Boy, Here We Go Again.
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
I saw Paul Scheer at a ski rental place in Telluride. My wife and I froze. He noticed, nodded, and quickly ushered his kids away.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
On a tour bus in L.A. My parents told the guide I did comedy, and he just handed me the PA. It didn’t go well.
A Parker Slavens Fun Fact:
I’ve DJed several of my family members’ weddings. I am not a professional DJ.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
To be an international touring headliner selling out clubs and small theaters, with a catalog of complete works—not just viral clips.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
You can buy laughs from a sound effects site. But really—just keep trying. Honestly, years of effort with nothing to show for it is hilarious in its own way.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
Get with it. You can only resist change so long before you’re left behind. Adapt and pivot. I don’t know what the future looks like, but I’ll be there.
If you could write an episode for ONE classic TV sitcom, which show would it be:
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It’d be about the gang trying to sell Girl Scout cookies. I’ve already written the spec.
If you could choose ONE comedy club and THREE comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
Tony Casillas, Jimmy Nelson, and me. I’d host, do 25 up top, they’d both do 25, then we’d all come out at the end and roast each other—because that’s how you know you’re really friends. Venue doesn’t matter, but if you’re asking: the Roman Colosseum would be pretty cool.
What’s next for you:
Make the next thing.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
Because your life is funny. Yes, you—the one reading this. Your life is funny. It’s a mess, but fun for the rest of us to watch. You wake up and start your day with caffeine, sugar, and syrup, and no water. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you drink water. WHAT ARE YOU DOING? At least if you laugh too, it looks intentional. Maybe it is intentional. Maybe you’re a genius. Is that what you’re doing? Being a sexy genius while we all laugh without realizing you’re laughing at us? Touché.
Follow Parker Slavens’ comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram: Parker Slavens
Youtube: Parker Slavens
Tik-Tok: Parker Slavens
