Nick Turner – Comedy Foot Soldier

This week’s comedy foot soldier, Nick Turner, should be very familiar to fans of our podcast.  Nick is one of hardest working comics in NYC.  He’s got his hands in everything.  He does stand-up (hosting one of the longer running shows in the city), sketch (with a bunch of folks including me sometimes), makes online videos (for College Humor amongst many others)  and he even appeared in a promotional video with Stephen Baldwin.  Have you been a promotional video with Stephen Baldwin?  No? Then Nick Turner wins!!!!!  Nick makes everything he works on better and is comedic talent that needs to get unleashed on the world.

What’s the most important thing you learned since you started doing comedy?
Work. It’s all about the work. The harder you work, the easier it is.

How did you know you were meant to be a comedian?
I’ve been fired 12 times. What the fuck else am I gonna do? I learned pretty early on that being funny was my worth. Also, I use it to mask my insecurities. And I have a lot of insecurities.

What’s been your brightest moment as a comedian?
The 11th time I was asked to appear on The Comedy Nerds podcast. (Editor’s Note: Mine too.)

What’s been your darkest moment as a comedian?
Having to move to DC for a while cause I was so broke. DC was fine but just the fact that I wasn’t moving forward where I wanted to was tough.

What is your favorite thing going on in comedy right now?
People booking me on shows.

What is the scariest thing going on in comedy right now?
Expectations.

Who do you think is today’s most under appreciated comedian/comedy actor?
Nick Turner. Fuck the world.

What’s the best advice you ever received as a comedian?
No amount of networking will get you as far as getting better at comedy will.

What’s the worst advice you ever received as a comedian?
Bringers.

What is your craziest show experience?
I was touring w/ this play a few year ago and one of the shows ended in a mini riot where an audience member was choked out and one of the actors was repeatedly punched and kicked. Insanity.

What is the biggest source of your comedy?
My own personal poverty. If I ever become successful my act is toast.

How would you describe your comedy?
Yelly (Involves a lot of yelling. I found my voice, and it is loud)

Quick Hitters

I would like to be known for… years to come

Shoot me if I ever… shoot you w/o probable cause

I think most comedians are… not actually comedians

The one thing I have never seen a comedian do, but would love to is… Beat up a heckler

My favorite comedy bit that I was not involved in is… Happy Fun Ball. Google it.

My favorite comedy bit that I was involved in is… I’m Gonna Kill the President. Google it. (Editor’s Note: Google at your own risk.  We are not responsible if you get arrested.)

People often say they are attracted to a sense of humor. I think that is… My one saving grace.

I would like to plug… Too Cool for School. I host the Show w/ Jason Saenz every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month at Coco 66 in Greenpoint.