DC Comedy Spotlight: Jermaine Fowler

Jermaine Fowler is one of DC's youngest comics, but don't let that fool you. At the age of 19, Jermaine has already performed at pretty much every spot in the city; DCAC in Adam's Morgan, 9:55 Comedy Club, The Laughing Lizard, Riot Act Comedy Club, Cafe Rendezvous, Chief Ike's, The Hyatt in Bethesda, Firehouse Grill, and Wiseacres. Just recently, Jermaine crushed it and placed 1st at the DC Improv's November 2007 Comedy Showcase. Kid is on fire, son!

I asked him what he thinks about getting his start in the DC Area:
"What I like about being in this area is that there are so many bad crowds. Learning how to handle an inattentive audience and control hecklers will toughen you for the future. I feel the more you bomb onstage the stronger you'll write and perform in front of better crowds. That's in itself is an advantage."

Check out some of Jermaine's videos below and make sure to catch him this Friday, Nov 30th at the Howard University Comedy Showcase @ The Cramton Auditorium.
[updated with interview]


Jermaine Fowler @ Hollywood Improv


bonus video: Jermaine @ Wisearces Comedy Club, VA

Jermaine Fowler Interview

*When did you realize that you wanted to do comedy?

After watching Eddie Murphy Raw I started writing jokes. I kept them for a while before actually going onstage months later. The jokes sucked.

*Who were some of your earliest influences?

Bruce, Pryor, Murphy, and Chappelle were and still are my influences. Out of all of them I still look up to Chappelle. Now, CK, O'Neal, Burr, and Mulaney are my favorite working comics. What captivated me about them is what they find funny is what I find funny. Almost like the same sense of humor.

*Where did you first perform?

My first performance wasn't at a comedy club. It was at a Talent Show at my high school. I didn't get through my first joke because the panel of female judges didn't like my jokes about periods. Go figure.

*What was your first paid gig?

At the Hyatt. It was me and Doug Powell who were on the show. I miss Doug. Anyway, I did pretty well, and Curt slipped me a twenty, but I wasted it on Jerry Subs and Pizza.

*Do you prefer to write on or off stage?

offstage. I do most of my jokes in front of a mirror because you have nobody to make you have seconds thoughts about them. Just you, a reflection, and a dirty sink. I prefer to ad-libbing onstage because it exercises your wit.

*Do you enjoy the process of writing?

Hell yea! I love writing. I feel more comfortable doing a joke that has been written. I'm not that comfortable to just wing it onstage,yet.

*What about performing live do you enjoy?

Making drunk strangers laugh. Making a heckler look incredibly stupid so he can go back and think twice before trying to be funny in front his friends. When I started I wanted to convey a message, but I wasn't funny. I think as soon as you find what's funny about you the message will come out naturally. When you have that passionate moment onstage about something that pisses you off. And then when people laugh you wonder, "Why the hell are they laughing. I'm serious!" It's just a good feeling when you're not trying to be funny and people laugh anyway.

*What's hacky to you?

A fucker who steals and is unoriginal. Sometimes I hate audiences more than the hack. Some people are just stupid. Oh well.

*What is your day job?

I Temp. Mostly, I write jokes all day . I rarely work.

*Were your parents supportive of you doing comedy?

My father told me I can't do comedy because he doesn't want me coming home at different times of night. He kicked me out the house months after I graduated high school. My mother, I can't say. My girlfriend and her mother at the time told me to go back to college and quit comedy. My grand-mother is always behind me though. I love her. She's the coolest. Everyday if she does something stupid she'll tell me, "Don't be telling people about that when you get onstage, okay?"

*Where do you plan on moving next?

New York, son! It's the mecca of stand-up. I thought LA, but I like riding subways for some reason.

*How do you feel about the comedy scene in DC?

It's ok, but you have to respect where you start. Nobody respects someone who trashes where their from. If that's the case you should move and stop crying. So many talented people came from this area, but the thing is they never stayed here. It's a good place to start. There are so many original writers and performers here, too. I'd change the amount of venues and some of the people who book them. BLAGHT!