Your comedy voice - be realistic

Lately, I've noticed some newer comedians who come into the biz with their on-stage personality, their comedic voice, already decided.  I'm not here to tell you that's wrong; it may be the best thing you could have ever done.

However, you have to be honest with yourself and notice if you're getting laughs...and getting booked.  You may be the vomit comic, but if you're walking half your audience in your first three minutes, you probably want to stop barfing on stage.

And, keep in mind, you are now pigeon-holing yourself into your voice's material.  Jokes about how much you hate your kids may not go well with your goofy, aloof persona.

Modeling after a famous comic can give you inspiration, but keep in mind they're funny and have been doing what they do for fifteen to thirty years.  What you're modeling after is the product of years and years of trial, error and evolution.  It's unrealistic to think you can be just like that comic your first few years in the game.

Also, as a newer comic, you're likely in your 20's, maybe early 30's (there are exceptions).  While the famous comic you're modeling after is likely in their 40's, or older, and has gone through life with marriages, divorces, kids, etc.  Their way of thinking comes from life experiences that you may not have gone through.  That will make your material seem shallow, and, quite frankly, awkward coming from you.

I recently heard about a newer comic who did a very crude set and walked a number of people.  When critiqued by the headliner (who obviously wished he had more people to play in front of), his defense was that Louis C.K. does it.

So, let's take Mr. C.K. as an example.  Wikipedia will tell you Louis C.K. tried a five minute open mic in 1984, but only had two minutes of material.  He was so disappointed that he didn't get on stage for another two years.  Here he is about a year after he came back:

 

Louis C.K. in 1987

From 1993-1999, Louis wrote for Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Late Show With David Letterman, The Dana Carvey Show and The Chris Rock Show...and you probably didn't know who he was.

He did have a half-hour special on HBO in 1996, but a lot of comedians had specials, so it's likely you'd have had to be a friend, or a real fan already to know him.

 Louis C.K. 1996 HBO half-hour special (clip 1 - 7:08)

Obviously, the comedic force you see in movies, television and one-hour specials has changed since then.  Louis' material is much different, his mannerisms are different.  His life experiences are different.

Can't believe they did that!  It's Louis C.K., not Louie.  Sheesh!

And let's not confuse material with voice.  I know you'll get older, have more experiences and write more bits.  Your set will naturally be a lot different ten years from now than it is today.  But your voice will influence what you write about, what you write and how you write it.

I don't know what your voice should be, and I can't tell you how you'll find it.  I just know you will, if you stay in the game long enough.  It's been said it takes a comic five to ten years to find his/her voice.

I'm just saying you should probably trust the process, rather than try to force the issue.