So You Want to Be a Comedian?

Are you the life of the party? Do people tell you that you're a natural born comic? Do you secretly wish you could run away and join the circus, and you just graduated with your Ph.D. in Psychology? If you have answered yes to any of the above questions, you might want to consider pursuing the life of a humorist. Imagine making people laugh as a comedian, a sitcom writer, a humor columnist or even a clown. Stop dreaming about it and do something now. Operators are standing by to take your call.

Well, it may not be that simple; but, it's easier than you think. All you need is a joke, a story, an audience and perhaps a rubber chicken. I wonder who decided that chickens were funny. Personally, I think penguins are much funnier than chickens; although, you seldom hear penguin jokes. But, I digress.

You're ready to share your jokes and your zany wit with your audience. You finally realize that this is your true calling in life. Your family and friends think you're funny; and, so shall the rest of the world. Before you leave for Vegas or join The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, there are still a few things to consider.

It may not be as glamorous as you think. Wearing a big, red nose may not be funny to everybody, though, you may never have to share a seat with anybody on the bus again. Riding in a small car with a bunch of clowns may get a little old, even if you are saving money on gas; and, if you are doing the night club circuit as a comedian, you may tire of opening for a piano-playing chicken, an Elvis impersonator or a "dummy" who claims to be a descendant of Charlie McCarthy.

You may scoff at the naysayers and throw caution to the wind and pursue your dream. Who could really blame you? There most certainly are many, many aspects of this lifestyle that may appeal to you. The laughter, the limelight, traveling the country, sharing your dressing room with a chicken; what is there not to love?