Most comedians really dislike Anjelah Johnson’s story. And I get it.
You’ve been doing comedy day-in and day-out for 9 years at coffee houses, Ramada Inns, and Chuckle Huts across the country for $12 and 2 drink tickets. Maybe you’ve been lucky enough to get a few feature spots at the Improv, but you’re still begging to get time at Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge and the Comedy Juice shows…neither of which pay. It’s possible you’ve been on Conan…but more than likely you had your spot bumped for Selena Gomez. Or better yet, an exec didn’t like your set at the last minute so he/she pulled it all together. Now your screwed for life on that show and any other show that guy goes too. Awesome.
Then along comes this actress chick who tells one joke about nail salons and it goes herpes-viral on YouTube to the tune of 12M views. Within 7 months of dropping her bags in LaLa Land, she’s taking meetings with every agent and network in the city and lands MADtv like it’s no big deal. I mean it was a good joke and she’s cute and all…but WHAT THE FUCK?
I get it.
The reality is…it’s unexplainable. She can’t explain it, I can’t explain it, you can’t explain it…no one can. That’s why you can’t be mad at her. You just have to say “God Bless You”…and keep on truckin’ like a man (or woman…as the case may be). Success doesn’t happen on your terms. Sucks. But it’s true. Just control your shit. I struggle with it everyday too…we all do…those of us who are ambitious at least.
I thought it would interesting to get her take on the whole thing in a conversation I had last week with her. Not sure I got deep enough into it (still working on those interview skills) but I did my best. Hope you find some take aways from the interview…whether you are a comedian or an accountant. And if you want to see her live, she’ll be at the Ontario Improv this week – July 23 – 26.
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