BOVI UGBOMA

Lately it seems that there are more comedians today than ever before. With the influence of social media, it’s not uncommon to see comedy skits pop up on your timeline. Sometimes, it’s really hard to keep up.

Ranging in style and personality, one that has always stood out is stand up comedian, Bovi Ugboma. Since entering into the world of comedy he has acquired a steady following which seems to forever be on the rise. Raised in Benin City, Edo State, Bovi is not only funny by nature which certainly helps, he knows the art of comedy and has quite a bit to say about it. His act usually touches on a wide range of topics from dating to life in the city and even on seemingly taboo topics like religion and homosexuality. Last week,

KONYE CHELSEA NWABOGOR sat down with him to pick his brain on all things comedy. It’s a fun read.

When did you realize you could make people laugh? Is there something about your upbringing that led you to this profession?

I don’t think I can remember. But I know that at an early age, I was an intriguing storyteller. When I got back from holidays in secondary school, my friends would gather around me to tell them the movies I saw. They particularly liked to listen because according to them I didn’t leave out any details. Reading was also a part of my upbringing so yes I’d say my upbringing played a role.

Did you have any difficulties creating a career on this path?

To be honest I vaguely remember. I do know that the fact that I did TV first eased my path into comedy. I was accepted from day one. However, I had to wait for my day despite the euphoria that heralded my entry into stand up’s biggest stages.

Believe me, I went through the thick and thin to prove I was authentic. While that hurt, it didn’t deter me. I turned every stumbling block into a stepping-stone. I saw the positive in every setback. I kept my eye on the ball.

Your work is not a “regular” job, perhaps like working for a corporation. What is your strategy for staying so successful in such uncertain path?

I wouldn’t say I have a strategy. I focus on what needs to be done and that involves creating and writing materials that keep my fans wanting more. While doing that, I also plan for the future with other non-entertainment business endeavors. Thank God for the Internet, we have different streams of income now, and there’s money constantly coming in from those channels.

Some people would say that stand-up comedy appears to be a lot of ideas put together, and that in a way, each joke is a pitch. Is this true, and what can others who are not in the laughter of business learn from your experience?

I’d say stand up comedy is an art form. It’s like a one-man stage play. It’s like a recital. It’s like poetry. As for those who’re not in my business, that’s a broad question. I can’t really say what they can learn unless I know what their interests are.

How do you save the situation when no one laughs? Has it happened?

Nah! It rarely happens. I can’t even remember that happening to me. I prepare way too hard

Is it possible to be a comedian without being branded as “racist” or “insensitive” or “vulgar”?

Yes it’s possible. But then again the world hates to hear what the world likes to hear. Quite hypocritical. As long as comedy remains an art form of expression, people will always find faults.

Do you think the standards of what’s considered funny have changed? Is loud humor the standard?

We live in a fast evolving world. Standards change in record time. But these standards are not across board. I seriously doubt that there’s any standard for humor the world over except for the microphone that virtually every comedian uses.

What are some of the untold struggles that comedians face as they try and gain popularity and master their craft? How have you overcome some of these obstacles?

Well, I think one major obstacle is plagiarism. Comedians steal from comedians. The younger ones suffer a lot because some of their colleagues who started before them hear their material and go ahead to usurp it. By the time the comedian who owns the material says it, he’s looked at as a fraud simply because someone more popular told his joke. Another problem is the Internet. People use cameras to record these jokes and post them online. Once that’s done, trust me, the material is gone forever. No audience really wants to hear the same joke twice.

What topics and themes do you think are resonating more with audiences today compared to when you first started?

It really depends on the audience. In Lagos audiences want to hear contemporary jokes. Urban stories. Celebrity gossip and politics as well. Down south, audiences like folklore. They want to hear how animals are swallowing money. They want to know what the animal kingdom thinks of it. So you see in one country you can have an intellectual audience and animated audience. Its this diverse nature that makes comedy both fun and educational

Why are there fewer women than men in humour fields?

To be honest, I don’t know. I can’t even propound a theory.

What are your best and worst comedy experiences?

It will be hard to filter that. But most of best experiences are centered around when all the requirements to make a comedian succeed are available. Lighting, good stage, sound and an intimate audience. No distractions. Every comedian’s worst nightmare is bad sound and lighting, a poor stage and a disjointed audience. All these elements help a joke to be funny or you as a comedian, funny regardless of how odd it sounds.

Can you name one of your biggest career breaks and how it made you feel?

I haven’t had a career break judging by the lofty standards I set for myself. That’s me being frank. But I have certainly had defining moments. Moments that made me say I’m in the right place. This is where I want to be.

Which comedians have inspired you the most and how?

All comedians inspire me. The good, the bad, the ‘’unfunny’’. I study all of them just to be sure that I’m not missing something. I marvel at their magic. I learn what to do and what not to do. When I have gigs I make sure to come early because I don’t want to miss a thing.

What do you usually want people to walk away with after seeing you perform?

A message and happiness. When I started this business, I told God I just don’t want to make people laugh and generally be happy, l want them to think of something I said and find their smile for the day.

What are your top three pieces of career advice?

Read, knowledge is power. Also stay positive and work hard and smart.

In Lagos audiences want to hear contemporary jokes. Urban stories. Celebrity gossip and politics as well. Down south, audiences like folklore. They want to hear how animals are swallowing money. They want to know what the animal kingdom thinks of it. So you see in one country you can have an intellectual audience and animated audience. Its this diverse nature that makes comedy both fun and educational