A sharp, charismatic comedian whose storytelling blends self-deprecating humor, cultural observations, and personal experiences to explore identity, relationships, and the absurdities of everyday life. As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Ben Katzner. The Minneapolis, MN native shares some of his favorite moments in stand-up comedy and explains how he always owns the laughs.
Name: Ben Katzner
Hometown: Minneapolis, MN
Instagram/Twitter/Tik-Tok: @Shaqkatzner on everything
Years in Comedy: 11
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: Netflix & Supple Harlot on YouTube
Comedic Influences: Jerrod Carmichael, Tig Notaro, Donald Glover, Chappelle’s Show, Judd Apatow, & Mike Judge
Favorite Comedy Album: John Mulaney “The Top Part”
Favorite Comedy Special: Jerrod Carmichael “8” & Kyle Kinane “Trampoline In a Ditch”
Favorite Comedy Movie: Office Space
Favorite Comedy TV Show: 30 Rock
Favorite Comedic Character: Officer Goodnight from South Side or Tracy Jordan from 30 Rock.
Favorite City to Perform In: NYC
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Anything dark or tense tbh, but also love dissecting race and hypocrisy surrounding some of our long-held “truths” around the world.
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: Gimme a little bit of everything! Young, old, mixed racially, city folk, suburban people, rich, poor, all of it. Anyone can get these jokes!
Favorite Comedy Club: Sheesh …. Probably Comedy on State in Madison, WI if I have to choose. (Please God have me back, I miss you baby!)
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
At the dinner table when I was a kid. The goal most nights was to say something so crazy that it would make my older sister shoot milk out of her nose. It would infuriate my parents, but that was part of the fun.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
How sticky the floors were (Laughs).
How would you describe your comedic style:
Subversive, dark, and fun.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
I struggle to sit down and write for hours on end (Sorry, Jerry Seinfeld), but my brain rarely takes a break. My favorite bits are usually written on the car or train ride home. Sometimes I’ll pull into a random parking lot to write something down and repeat a joke over and over again until I get home. Don’t ask me why I don’t just record it (Laughs).
That being said, I’ll also try to sit down and write on my own a few days a week and write with other comedians 1-2 times a week.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
Underrated and ripe with potential. People from across the country make sure Minneapolis is a stop on their tours. They film specials here, and iconic stand-ups have come from Minnesota. The crowds are awesome for comedy, and there are some really strong up-and-coming comedians in/from Minneapolis.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
Consistently crushing on stage, the respect of my peers, enough money to pay my bills, AND for one solid vacation a year … and I never have to sincerely write a notes app apology letter. I want all the other things too, obviously, just in case anyone in the industry is listening, but I’ve had enough near misses to know I can’t control that part.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Oh man, this is a long list and I’ll without a doubt forget people but here’s a handful off the top of my head: Ethan Simmons-Patterson, Yedoye Travis, Caitlin Peluffo, Geoffrey Asmus, Brittany Carney, Sam Evans, Carmen Lagala, Ali Sultan, Steven Rodgers, Chloe Radcliffe, Alon Elian, James Stanley, Ahmed Khalaf, Lizzy Cassidy, Kenice Mobley. There are so many more, BUT THIS ARTICLE IS ABOUT ME DAMNIT.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
Seeing my name in the credits of Chad Daniel’s debut Netflix special was pretty cool.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
I suck, and everyone hates me? Just kidding … mostly that failure is part of it, and great comedians can use failure and make it funny. Master that and you’ve added a powerful tool to your tool belt.
How do people react toward you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
It’s usually an overreaction in one of two ways. Either they think it’s the most interesting thing they’ve ever heard, OR they think it’s the dumbest thing ever and are more or less like “Really, well you haven’t made me laugh once yet PIG.” Why is it that no one’s ever like … “Neat.” and then they just go on about their day or whatever? I’d like to know.
Describe building a career in stand-up comedy:
Grueling. 98% rejection. You have to find what makes it worth doing for you and hold on to whatever that is with a two-handed grip that would make Nancy Reagan blush. Nothing is promised, so try to enjoy every win that you can.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
Stop giving racists and rapists a platform. Let them start their own comedy club on Epstein Island or something. There are too many kind and funny people in this business to keep rewarding the same assholes for their assholery.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
Tie – Edit & treat the comedy club staff with respect.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
Well, I did just release “Supple Harlot” on YouTube earlier this month, so that’s taken … I think a follow-up might be called “Fat. Black. Adopted.” It pretty much sums up all my little bits. Maybe for SEO, I should do something like “FOX CNN OUTRAGE SYDNEY SWEENY TAYLOR SWIFT BEYONCE XXX.” I’m open to ideas here.
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
Chris Rock dropped in on a NYC rooftop show I was doing in 2021, and I remember him looking around and being like “None of us should be here,” which was very funny to me. He was hosting SNL that weekend and definitely did not have to be there. I, on the other hand, needed that $25 I was promised and never got.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
A wake. A dude died, and his friends said he loved comedy, so they held a comedy show in his honor. I did it again for money that I’m pretty sure I was never paid. I’m starting to sense a theme here, hmmmm.
A Ben Katzner Fun Fact:
I’m actually nice, but you gotta earn it 😊.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
My goal is for my jokes to reach the people they’re meant for. I know there are people out there who, like me, are thinking, “I can’t be the only person who feels this way.” Those are the people I want at my shows. Hopefully, we get enough of those people to start coming out to my shows so that someday, maybe we can fill a theater with them or something.
Honestly, I don’t even have to tell jokes, we can just watch Space Jam and vibe or something.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
I would say: “Hey buddy, why don’t you sit down for a minute and have some water. Let’s get you some help.” I don’t know lol. If you’re a potential comedian looking for advice, there are plenty of better sources than my ass. All I have is, don’t be a dick, move the mic stand out of the way, and remember that people are supposed to enjoy your comedy.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
People are going to keep complaining that they can’t say anything anymore, but they’ll actually be correct because Amazon will own all of our oxygen. Stand-up comedy will be performed in secret at campfires in cave systems around the country. The only “Jokes” allowed will be in the bunker city of New Vegas (the capital of the Final American Republic), where the President watches a “Killers of Kill Tony” DVD loudly on repeat while SHE (we finally did it!) feasts on the bone marrow of those that oppose her authoritarian rule.
If you could write an episode for ONE classic TV sitcom, which show would it be:
FRIENDS. Log Line: Monica starts dating a Black dude in the Bronx, and everyone struggles to articulate why they don’t think he’s a good fit for her.
Please don’t steal this, I’m pitching it to Tubi.
If you could choose ONE comedy club and THREE comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
Acme Comedy Company in Minneapolis: Roy Wood Jr., John Mulaney, and Ms. Pat all do a Triple Feature. 25 minutes each. I do 10 seconds total. Maybe seven seconds at the beginning, where I say “This all happened because of me,” and then like three seconds at the end, where I say “Thank you, good night!”
What’s next for you:
A nap. This was a lot of writing! After that, check out my new graphic novel that I co-wrote with Redman. It’s called Muddy Waters Too and is available for pre-order now.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
Because you never know if life is going to pop off on Instagram, and you want it to remember you fondly and maybe even bring you on the road later.
*Checkout Ben Katzner latest graphic novel “Muddy Waters Too” co-written with hip-hop legend Redman HERE
Follow Ben Katzner’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter: Ben Katzner
Youtube: Ben Katzner
Personal Website: Ben Katzner
