As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Laura Laham. The Brooklyn, NY native shares some of her favorite moments in stand-up comedy and lets us know how she always owns the laughs.
Name: Laura Laham
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY/Los Angeles, CA
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @LauraLaham
Years in Comedy: 4-5
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: On stage yes, I have not graced your television screens just yet.
Comedic Influences: Demetri Martin, Gary Gulman, & Jen Kirkman
Favorite Comedy Album: Maria Bamford “Weakness is the Brand”
Favorite Comedy Special: Tig Notaro “Drawn”
Favorite Comedy Movie: Paranormal Activity – that was a comedy series, right?
Favorite Comedy TV Show: What We Do in the Shadows might be hard to beat.
Favorite Comedic Character: Jenna Maroney – 30 Rock. What a shameless life fully liiiived. I love a character you can give any kind of backstory to and it’ll be believable. “It’s like the time [insert the most random collection of words]”.
Favorite City to Perform In: Whichever city that pays its performers
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Religion – you’re all so obsessed with it
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: A mixed crowd of young Americans and older Arab aunties
Favorite Comedy Club: Whichever club gives me stage time – that is my favorite.
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
It’s always been my go-to as far as defense mechanisms go. I guess having that lifelong personality disorder can be considered a passion.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
There were 5 people in the audience. I don’t remember a single one of them thankfully.
How would you describe your comedic style:
People keep telling me my jokes are smart. One day, they will also be funny.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
I often write while driving in my car talking to myself. Either then or it is right as I’m about to fall asleep – an idea will pop into my head. I’ll have to fight the urge to fall asleep thinking, this is genius, there’s no way I’d forget it in the morning because every morning I forget the idea completely. Only the thought that I HAD a good idea remains. So I convince myself to grab my phone and write it down. But then I can’t fall asleep so the next day I’m too tired to revisit the idea. And then I repeat this cycle indefinitely.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
Oversaturated. Legally, everyone in Los Angeles has to try stand up comedy, especially if they really just want to be actors or (again legally) within 3 months of a bad break up. Ignoring this rule will lead to one man/one woman shows and we know how toxic those could be for our communities. There are a lot of people in the scene. I’d bet more people in LA do stand up than the number of people in the state of Rhode Island.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
Am I better at this craft this year than I was last year? Am I better today than I was yesterday? With such a saturated and subjective industry it’s impossible to judge success based on how you compare to others. So what’s the point in trying to?
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
First and foremost the Arab comedy community in LA is killer. Reem Edan, Christie Bahna, Yesh Malik, Lynn Maleh, Mikel Albagdadi, Ahmed Al-Kadri – they’re all strong writers and performers. Our community crosses paths with a lot of South Asian comedy as well so watching Fizaa Dosani be the energetic lightning strike she is on stage and Pallavi Gunalan roast audience members with the quickest wit in the industry is just a fkin delight.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
I opened for a personal hero of mine on an iconic- now forever closed – stage in NYC. And now that person is someone I can contact any time just like they’re any other friend. I’m still in shock about it years later.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
I’m a millennial ‘former gifted kid’ who despite having crippling imposter syndrome, had been fairly successful in the corporate world prior to being a comedian. I honestly didn’t think I was really putting in my all (please don’t tell any of my former employers, omg no, I loved my job or whatever). The thing I’ve learned from comedy is how much work really goes into a successful meaningful career that I care deeply about. I’m not going to be great at it right away. But at least in comedy, especially after a night of bombing on stage, I actually wake up wanting to put the work in.
How do people react towards you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
“Tell me a joke” (like bro chill, we’re in a TSA line, now isn’t the time)
Describe building a career in stand-up comedy:
Hard but fun. Being funny is a massive part of the career but there is so much more to it. You have to have degrees in branding, marketing, advertising, graphic design, creative writing, business, and naturally know how to network. Or you have to make friends who know about that stuff.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
Every single club should host a women’s mic.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
“That joke is funny, like, T.V. funny. But also, here’s how you should change it”
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
Light of Blood. In Arabic the translation refers to someone who doesn’t take life too seriously and is lighthearted and funny. It’s a compliment I really treasure.
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
A friend (m25) stepped over several lady comics to talk to Sarah Silverman and let her know how much he appreciates all she’s done for the industry.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
Does my car, to only myself count?
A Laura Laham Fun Fact:
I will never turn down an opportunity to play D&D. Even on tour I seek out local groups and ask to join for a session. I’ve played in the Middle East and Canada so far. My latest character is an air genasi shadow monk who has a serious vendetta against the moon.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
I’d like to tour. With enough adderall maybe even write for television or film.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Own the laughs by talking about your own truths. Be yourself (or the character you’re dying to be, that is ok also).
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
Hoo Boy. Comedy has been blown wide open. Youtube, Instagram, Tiktok changed the landscape. So, who knows. Just have fun you dorks.
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’d write an episode of Boy Meets World where the characters go to a charity function and learn about refugee camps, and then never complain about anything ever again. Obviously, Mr. Feeny is there the whole time teaching them life lessons.
If you could choose 1 comedy club and 3 comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
I would choose a comedy club in NYC so my parents could be there. Let’s go with Caroline’s. The three people I’d choose to perform would include both my parents so they could finally experience the difficulty of performing and therefore hopefully stop telling me to get a ‘real’ job. The third person can be any ghost still hanging around Caroline’s since its closure, why not give the dead fella one more go on stage? For a real answer I’d say give me a show with Tig Notaro, Maria Bamford, and Demetri Martin and I could die happy.
What’s next for you:
I’m currently touring Canada so my next stop is Montreal. God give me the strength not to annoy the French loving hoosiers so much they beat me to death with baguettes and general bad energy.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
If we’re not laughing, we’re in corporate upper management and have likely committed financial crimes. So laugh, it’s also good for your health.
Follow Laura Laham’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: Laura Laham
Youtube: Laura Laham
Personal Website: Laura Laham
