Shining in the brightest spotlight of his career to date, this Canadian is on the fast track to quickly becoming admired by fans in the same way he admires his comedic idols. As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Sean McDonnell. The Vancouver B.C. native shares some of his favorite moments in stand-up comedy and explains how he always owns the laughs.
Name: Sean McDonnell
Hometown: Vancouver B.C.
Instagram/Twitter/Tik-Tok: @seanald_mcdoneld
Years in Comedy: 9
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: My debut comedy special “Apologies In Advance”
Comedic Influences: Number 1 is Norm Macdonald then it is a 4-way tie between Katt Williams, Bill Burr, Louis CK and Jerrod Carmichael (Honorable mentions Mike Birbiglia and Dave Chappelle)
Favorite Comedy Album: I kinda see comedy like music in the sense that my taste is always shifting. I couldn’t say I have a favorite of all time, but I find myself going back to listen to Mike Birbiglia’s “Sleep Walk With Me” and Rory Scovel’s “Dilation.”
Favorite Comedy Special: I know this will sound so basic, but it is probably “Killin’ Them Softly.” It was the first representation I saw of stand-up as a kid that did not feel lame.
Favorite Comedy Movie: Pineapple Express
Favorite Comedy TV Show: It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia
Favorite Comedic Character: Charlie from It’s Always Sunny
Favorite City to Perform In: Toronto, Canada. I kind of just adore Toronto in general, so I am a bit biased
Favorite Topics to Joke About: I don’t really have a favorite. I am a people pleaser at the moment, so whatever they are really into, I like giving back.
My favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show is people 35 and under, who I always have the most fun with. I am sure that will change with age, but as of right now, the only defining characteristic I look for that could change how my comedy is received is age.
Favorite Comedy Club: In Vancouver, I have a ton of fun at The Comedy Underground, Chill Pill Studios, and Little Mountain Gallery. I have also never met better staff/people and overall energy in a work environment than at House Of Comedy. I adore every person who works there.
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
I was 18 and in the limbo stage of life where I did not know what I wanted to do with it. I started liking stand-up a lot around 16, and one day while hanging out with a friend, he suggested that I try it out for the first time. Then I kept doing it after the first time, and now that is all I do.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
I remember I could not go to any of the bars or clubs because I was underaged, I went to KINO Cafe and it was 4 pm in the middle of the summer, so very bright out still. I thought it was an open mic but ended up being a feedback show, so when you did your set, you would have to stay on stage while comedians gave you tags or tore your set apart. The thing I remember the most, though, was being completely sober but going to the bathroom before my set and realizing the nerves of it had made my eyes go completely bloodshot.
How would you describe your comedic style:
I am not sure. I have always been awful at self-reflection. Overall, I would say it is a style you should never take seriously.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
I try doing this thing where I write for an hour, 30 minutes after I wake up. Usually it is complete garbage to be honest but it gets me thinking about bits. Most of my material comes from me sweating 5 minutes before going on stage realizing there is no punchline. I work better with a gun to my head.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
There has never been more opportunity for stage time in Vancouver than currently. It is insane; I can regularly do 6 spots a night on a weekend.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
Sadly, I would describe success by ticket sales. I don’t care what sitcom you are on or what festival is fucking with you. I feel like it all comes down to whether people are willing to come out and see you. I think being able to sell your own show without help brings freedom, and that is usually better for comedy in the long run.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
I don’t even know where to start here there is a long list. My friends Andrew Packer, Hassan Phills, Breanne Williamson, and Jacob Balshin inspire me whenever I check in on them. Four people I feel like have carved a career out for themselves and just continue to grow entirely on their own talent and moxie. They were the first people to show me firsthand that you can find success by making your own opportunities, and I am always excited to see what they are up to next.
I also adore watching Randee Neumeyer, Darcy Boon Collins, Bobby Warrener, Malik Elassal, Ryan Williams, Ola Dada and Amar Singh. They are all wildly different comedians from myself and each other but are people that I will actively watch and listen to when they are on stage or putting out a clip. I always love watching all of their comedy because no matter how different they are when they start a joke it always leaves me with the same question “where the fuck is this going?” and it is always somewhere brilliant and hilarious that I never saw coming.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
Being shouted out by Norm MacDonald
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
Feeling like this doesn’t have to be permanent. I can go home and write, go up the next night, and MAYBE I won’t feel like that anymore. Or maybe I will feel worse?
How do people react toward you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
I almost never tell people I just met I stand up, especially if it is someone I am never going to see again. Some people get really annoying if they find out you stand up. So, for the most part, I just tell people I work at my old job (lie). They usually leave thinking, “Man, that Behavioral interventionist is funny.”
Describe building a career in stand-up comedy:
There is so much social media. I started comedy when some festival would just pick you and make you a career. That is not the case anymore, and personally, I kind of love it. I would have never guessed that I would have to learn this much about algorithms and editing software, but that’s a job requirement now.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
Stop booking bad comedians. I don’t really care who their mom/dad is or that they are cast on some show. They are onstage and currently ruining this one.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
I feel like I have received a bunch of small things that equaled a lot. There has never been just one big piece of advice or one liner that sticks out. Sorry, I know this is boring, but it’s the truth.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
I DID, AND IT IS CALLED “Apologies In Advance.” NOW STREAMING ON YOUTUBE!
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
Honestly, any back-and-forth I had with Norm MacDonald was always bizarre and hysterical. He would text like he was writing a letter. I would hear nothing from him for a week, and then a block of text would come in that looked like scripture, talking about some of the most peculiar things.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
Any time I do stand up in someone’s house, it is always the strangest vibe, and I feel like a home invader taking a hostage.
A Sean McDonnell Fun Fact:
I have dyslexia, so typing this was a nightmare.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
I don’t want to say it out loud or in print because it feels like it jinxes me. I have always been kind of superstitious about that, and it sounds ridiculous. I know it’s ridiculous, but it doesn’t change how I feel about it.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Go up as much as possible. It doesn’t matter that it is an awful open mic; you are new or starting, so you have to get on stage constantly.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
I am actually really excited to see what the future of comedy holds. I remember when I started in 2016/2015, everyone talked about how we were in a comedy bubble and it was going to burst. Almost 10 years later, and it feels as though comedy has gotten bigger. Maybe the bubble that popped was the old industry, which really seems to have taken a hit, but it seems like comedians themselves have never been bigger and had more control over their careers. I love the rise of YouTube specials. It’s a free way to broadcast your work, and it gives a platform to a lot of underground voices that kill it.
If you could write an episode for ONE classic TV sitcom, which show would it be:
It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia “The Gang Discovers AI”
If you could choose ONE comedy club and THREE comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
I would do The Comedy Store, and the comedians would be Richard Pryor, Norm MacDonald, and Robin Williams. To be honest, I am not even a fan of one of the comedians’ work, but to become the reanimator of dead comedians would be insane. Pulling them back from the grave to do a set with me would be surreal. Also, working with a bunch of comedians that are regarded as the best of all time would just humble/inspire me. People would also just believe in miracles again.
What’s next for you:
Well, my special “Apologies In Advance” just came out (did I mention that?). I also just shot a series last month called “Basement 51,” which I am very excited to see come out! After that, who knows? Will I tell more jokes? Will I get better at telling those jokes?
Why should a person always laugh at life:
It is way too short to be miserable.
Follow Sean McDonnell’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter: Sean McDonnell
Youtube: Sean McDonnell
