Five Questions
Make Me Laugh Albany 2016 champion Adam Gabel can be seen headlining this year’s Make Me Laugh Albany at 8 p.m. on Nov. 11 at Lark Tavern in Albany alongside Comedy’s Central Comedian Ben Kronberg and the six finalists vying to win the competition, which will be judged by Jay Jachnowitz, Dan Frigolette, Benita Zahn and Vinny Fazio.
1 You won last year’s Make Me Laugh Albany Competition. What has come from this experience?
The most immediate result was recognition from the comedy community. A lot of times folks look at new comics like homeless people panhandling on a street corner, only instead of change I’m desperately looking for an an answer when I say “So… anyone from out of town?” In my case it probably doesn’t help that I dress like I just rode in on a box car with all of my belongings in a burlap sack on my shoulder. There are a lot of comedians out there trying to gain a foothold in the industry and the acknowledgement that I have something to offer got me a lot of work. It was also a huge confidence booster for me, confirming that I am on the right track. However along with that boost of confidence I heard a lot of negative responses, saying “It was a fluke Adam Gabel performs at NJFunnyfest after winning the 2016 Make Me Laugh Albany competition. and it doesn’t mean anything in the long term,” but I am working with my psychiatrist to quiet those voices. I also got dozens of paid shows from the producers of the Festival, most of which were outside of the New York area. I made countless contacts in the comedy community allowing me to circulate among professional comics and bookers, with whom I have been able to establish working relationships. I am not sure yet just how all of that work will benefit me, but from what I have been told the best way to learn to be an excellent comic is to do a Headliner’s laundry.
2 Your win brought you all over the country doing comedy. What has this done for you comedically and personally?
There is no question it made me better and more hardworking comic. Working outside of the New York City area brings longer sets allowing me to expand my voice, and work on a much broader version of my act. It also required me to write more and produce more polished material on a more frequent basis, which is why I haven’t spoken to my family in over six months. Performing in front of a new demographic has changed the way I approach writing. I try to write jokes that are universal so that they can reach any audience member. Being from New York brings a level of legitimacy to a show in a smaller town, so the audience is more willing to listen, but they will quickly turn if they feel like they are being talked down to. And while I enjoy getting to know what other groups of people like and don’t like, I have no desire to find out what the preferred method of pelting tomatoes is in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
3 Why is comedy so important at this day and age?
Comedy is always important no matter what age we are living in, and our society requires so much from us that people need a diversion from their everyday existence. There is no more immediate and universal escape than a joke. A good joke will take 15 seconds to bring a smile to someone’s face, and can carry that person through a long difficult period. People share jokes with others, creating a mutual experience which brings people together. I like to think that every year they open the G8 summit with a poop joke.
4 What’s your favorite thing about being on the road?
I think my favorite thing about traveling is seeing new places and new things. I like to see the landmarks and get their history, the more obscure the better. I am not above paying $15 for a tour of George Washington’s favorite place to get a manicure. Also I have a very unique diet which always shocks the locals, so I love to see the faces of the waiters when I ask if they can bring me three apples, a celery stalk and a bag of oats. In particular, I love upstate New York (I don’t even know if Albany is upstate, being from Brooklyn upstate is everything North of Harlem), especially in the fall; the views are beautiful and the area is so unique. Nothing says modern metropolis like a performing arts venue that looks like a football after Tom Brady let half of the air out of it.
5 If you weren’t doing comedy what would you be doing?
Probably jumping out of cardboard boxes to scare people.