ComedyClub  Interviews with comedians Stuart Taylor
Interviews, comedy, comedians, standup comedy, humour, humor, South Africa, stand-up comedians
What's the first funny thing you remember saying?
I was at primary school and we found a butterfly knife And I tried to flip it open and I got it right and everybody went WOW! And I said, "Well, I come from Grassy Park."
What drove you to choose comedy, when you could have been a mechanic or a doctor or something decent like that?
The way I feel now, coming off stage knowing that I made people laugh.
What's your favourite fashion accessory?
My earring. Actually, It's my only fashion accessory.
How has the way you look affected your identity as a comic?
I don't think it has. But when I first started I wore a tie, and when I dropped the tie the swearing started.
Are there things you wouldn't say on stage? Eg, any words you'd never use or subjects you'd never tackle?
Right now I'd tackle just about any subject. Words I'd never use… cunt. I wouldn't say cunt. Otherwise I'll say anything.
Who is your major influence? And your major South African influence?
Mainly the black comedians in America - Chris Rock, D Hughley, Eddie Murphy But also Eddie Izzard… but the one I admire the most is Bill Hicks. Because he says things on stage that I wish I could do, but I probably wouldn't get away with. And as far as SA goes, can we get back to that?
Is there any figure from your past that you'd like to see in your audience? What would you do to them or for them?
All my high school teachers who didn't think I'd amount to much. At my concert, I'd want them in the front row so I could say, you paid to listen to my kak.
What's lacking from South African comedy, or audiences, that it remains such a small scene?
We don't have the media coverage we deserve, we don't have enough comedians and there's not enough comedy culture. But it's growing.
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 seriously don't think they could all laugh at the same joke, but if maybe, in one joke, you could slag off gays, straights, blacks, whites colourds, Indians Catholics protestants , you'd offend them all, but they'd all be laughing. But the Catholics won't be laughing at the Catholic aspect.
Do you ever steal jokes?
Not directly. I'd steal concepts (laughs) No, I wouldn't.
Would you sell your material?
Yes
Would you promise never to use them on stage again after the sale?
I doubt it.
Which internationally renowned comic would you most like to work with? What would you do to him/her?
Chris Rock. I'd just beg him to have me on his show.
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.
Huge comedy show - it was just because the comic was thrown off guard in the beginning and he didn't get back on track. It was painful to watch. In fact I walked out. It made me evaluate the type of material that you do for a specific type of crowd. I realised that you've got to read your crowd and realise what you have to do.
Where would you like to live when you retire - if ever?
IN Table Mountain. So I could look down on the sea, and because I don't like crowds around me.
How funny do you Really think you are?
I don't think I'm funny at all. But don't put that in the interview. Sometimes I'm amazed I get laughs. So I guess I'm pretty funny.
Will you matter 50 years after you're dead? Will it matter to you?
I used to think I'd like to be remembered, but honestly I don't think I will be, and I don't think it matters to me.
What's the interview question you'd most like to be asked, and what is the answer?
It would have to be a sexy woman asking.
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