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“Comedy is tragedy plus time.” |
Finally, for those out there that don’t like to laugh, they might be best served by a quote from another lady of show business, Julia Roberts:
“Show me a person who doesn't like to laugh and I'll show you a person with a toe tag.”
The first time I saw Sean Proudlove perform he did something I rarely if ever see stand up comedians do. He sat down. He had a notebook with him from which he bounced from premise to premise and casually told jokes and when one didn’t work, he would angrily scratch the premise from the book. He killed that night. I’m sure he would have got a standing ovation, if only he hadn’t set the precedent that this would be a sitting-only affair.
Proudlove was originally known for his over-the-top antics on stage, which with experience gave way to a comic who would write endlessly, sometimes doing great jokes only once and tempting comics to pick up his comedic flotsam and jetsam.
In particular, I have always wished that I had picked up the observation that jewelry companies started advertising around mother’s day, to which Sean responded “ I’m not trying to sleep with my mom!”
Sean has worked at all levels of the comedy scene here in Vancouver; from comic to writer to booker and producer (most notably for years at the famed Urban Well). Most importantly, Proudlove is a huge fan of comedy. He watches newcomers try things out and offers suggestions to improve their act.
If you do stand up comedy in Vancouver, it’s more than likely you’ve found your way on a showcase, got a great tag for a joke, or sat in the back of the room guffawing thanks to Mr. Proudlove.
Sean was kind enough to answer some questions for Vancouver Is Awesome. If you want to learn more about him, you can find him at seanproudlove.com.
When was the last time you laughed until you cried?
I'm not sure but I think it was based on fear not joy.
Who’s a comedian you think everyone should see at least once? Why?
Most of the ones I would suggest are dead. But my favorite American act is Zach Galifianakis. Why? He makes me laugh.
What is you ideal venue for comedy?
Simple is usually better but I like any place where the sound is good and I'm not standing in front of a keno machine or near a dart board and the audience is actually in front of me.
Every article about comedy has to have a pun in the title, what would you like yours to be?
A Comic who is not pun worthy.
What is one personal rule of comedy you always follow?
I have lots of rules before I go on stage but they go out the window when things arent going well, so they never really get used. If I have to pick one though its "Leave the audience wanting more" or is it "Leave them wanting S'mores"
You're someone who has changed his act radically from when you started. What's one joke from your past act you wish you still did?
Its not so much a joke I wish I still did as its is a joke I would love to work. The joke was that I found out that Saving Private Ryan wasn't an original film it was actually a remake of a old German war movie called Kill the Ryan Brothers.
What's one myth about comedy you’d like to dispel?
That it’s actually a profession that you can make money at.
Do you have a universal bit of advice you would give to young comedians?
Quit! For the ones with talent though, I would suggest to continually write clever jokes and rotate your material properly.
Tell me about the best experience you've had on stage.
Well its tough to say as I have no long-term memory. Nowadays though I enjoy when jokes come out of my mouth perfectly. Or when new jokes finally start working.
