Photography by Chad Griffith
YRB gathered some of the freshest faces to hit the comedy stand-up scene, and we’re confident these will be the last comics standing.
Eugene Mirman
When did you decide you were funny?: Twenty-five minutes ago. I can’t believe you guys agreed so fast.
Pre-show ritual: A scotch and mumbling to myself.
What’s your shtick (angle of your act)?: I guess I’d say I blow people’s minds with observations from the future, but only about 10 minutes into the future. It’s why I always have this look on my face like I was just caught fucking the Zeitgeist.
Your comedic icon(s): Emo Philips and Lenny Bruce. Maybe Steve Martin too. Sorry I picked more than one. Am I running out of spa-
Erica Watson
When did you decide you were funny?: I think I’ve always been funny, but I didn’t decide to try to make money doing comedy until I moved to NYC from Chicago. I was broke, but because of my parents and morals, porn or prostitution was not an option. So I figured making people laugh is the next best thing to an orgasm, and it’s legal.
Pre-show ritual: I eat! Then I say a little prayer!
What’s your shtick (angle of your act)?: I’m a working class black kid, who went to private school. Well-educated, but still hood. I eat hot sauce on my collard greens, but I listen to Tchaikovsky and Bach, as well as 50 Cent. So I try not to be the stereotype of the “fat & sassy” black woman in my comedy, because my life is more complex than that.
Your comedic icon(s): I can’t name just one! Whoopi Goldberg, Chris Rock, Paul Mooney, Wanda Sykes and Sandra Burnhard are who I adore!
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