ComedyClub  Interviews with comedians Mel Miller
Interviews, comedy, comedians, standup comedy, humour, humor, South Africa, stand-up comedians
Mel was interviewed by fax, and made us type the whole thing up.
What's the first funny thing you remember saying?
I don't remember myself ever saying anything funny at a specific time, but when I was born I weighed 105.bs and my mother was only "5'1". I think that must have made some sort of statement, don't you?
What drove you to choose comedy, when you could have been a mechanic or a doctor or something decent like that?
I think comedy chose me. I was a small kid and the only way to survive in Yeoville was to find some sort of defence mechanism with which to protect myself. My mouth became my weapon. And who says comedy is not a decent job? What other job gives you the opportunity to tell the truth about society, and get paid for it? I was thinking of going into parliament, but I can't handle half a day job.
What's your favourite fashion accessory?
I like watches.
How has the way you look affected your identity as a comic?
I think that the sort of abrasive comedy that I try requires a sort of physical presence. I'm fairly big and not too good looking, so that helps - I mean you wouldn't have Woody Allen doing comedy like Andrew Dice-Clay, would you? I also believe that it takes attitude. Whatever you say, you've got to say with total conviction.
Are there things you wouldn't say on stage? Eg, any words you'd never use or subjects you'd never tackle?
From my point of view, I think that stand up comedy should be the conscience of society. Comics have been given the gift of being able to lead people (through humour) to places they would never go themselves and to talk about subjects and issues that society frowns upon. Because of this, there is no subject that I would shy away from for words I wouldn't use. On the other hand, I never tackle an issue or use a word just for effect - I feel that it has to be pertinent. Hopefully people will not only laugh, but have something to think about as well.
Who is your major influence? And your major South African influence?
When I started in stand up the style was joke telling about everyday subjects. Nothing was said about the society we lived in. Then in 1964 I heard Lenny Bruce for the first time and this changed my whole perspective on what I was doing. I started looking at things differently and also started doing some of his routines. As I progressed, I started seeing parallels in our own society and revamped his routines to suit South Africa. In 1970 I joined the Adam Leslie Theatre where we were required to write new stuff (sometimes on a weekly basis). The shtick we had to produce had to be totally South African (another new perspective). Adam also taught me stage craft and how to interact with an audience. I am forever grateful for these two influences.
Is there any figure from your past that you'd like ot see in your audience? What would you like to do to them or for them.
My mother passed away before I "made it" as a stand up comic. I would love her to see me work now. This may sound precious, but I would thank her for teaching me a love of humanity, because without this love you can't do what we do.
What's lacking from South African comedy, or audiences, that it remains such a small scene?
Firstly, we had a population problem. By this I mean that in the days before democracy, blacks and whites were separated to the extent that only a small portion of the population saw stand up comics and this was limited to the night clubs and bars only frequented by whites. Secondly, censorship was so entrenched in the country that the comedy that was seen, was rather bland (and if you didn't tow the line you were harassed by authorities). I believe that the worst thing to come out of that era was that we weren't allowed to laugh together. In the last five years I have seen a big change in the cultural composition of audiences, so hopefully the culture of comedy will grow.
Do you think all South Africans can all laugh at the same joke at the same time. What kind of joke would it be?
I think that all South Africans are learning (finally) to laugh at themselves. If I could work out the joke that everybody could laugh at, I would be a millionaire overnight. you're always going to find some prick who is going to take offense.
Do you ever steal jokes?
Not when anybody's watching! But seriously, if I hear something that gives me a new perspective on a subject, I will try and produce a different slant on the same subject. If I do a show for a speicalised audience, and I've heard a joke from another comic that I could use, I simply phone the person and ask permission to use the joke for that show. If the answer is yes, then I use it. If the answer is no, I should be good enough to think of something else. As for using someone else's material word for word, I just put myself in that other person's shoes and imagine how I would feel.
Would you sell your material?
Yes, if anybody's stupid enough to buy it.
Would you promise never to use it on stage again after the sale?
Yes.
Which internationally renowned comic would you most like to work with? What would you do to him/her?
George Carlin. What would I do? - I'd learn!
What's the most embarrassing death you've ever seen another comic die on stage? (names not necessary) Describe the incident, and how you felt.
The comic was myself. It happened in Ermelio (the heart of conservative country). I was doing a show there after an incident where the town council had tried to remove all the Indian traders from the center of town. This was in my "angry period" and I started my show with "Good evening white trash". Talk about engaging your mouth before your brain - I stood there for 45 minutes and didn't raise one laugh. It was like bringing a ham sandwich into a synagogue on Yom Kippur. I felt bad because my job as a comic was to make people laugh and then lead them where I wanted them to go.
Where would you like to live when you retire - if ever?
As long as the public want to see my work, I'll never retire, but I would like to live somewhere out in the country.
How funny do you Really think you are?
That's a good question, because up till two years ago, I never I thought I was that funny. In the last two years I have come to realise that after 35 years in the business, if I'm still going strong, there must be something there.
Will you matter 50 years after you're dead? Will it matter to you?
I would like to be remembered as a person who made a difference.
What is the interview question you'd most like to be asked, and what is the answer?
The question would be "what's the difference between a comic and a comedian?" and the answer would be "A comedian opens doors funny and a comic opens funny doors."
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