Radio Interviews and "Winging It"

As a corporate comedian who performs clean comedy for women's groups I know the fear, stage fright and insecurities that arise that first time on stage.  However, years of experience in front of new audiences have given me the tools to handle unexpected elements that occur during a live performance. When I was asked to appear on a WGN Radio station in Chicago, I thought my years of stage experience would make an on-air conversation a fairly stress-free experience.  However, I learned that I would need to implement a new set of skills to make radio conversation both comfortable and fun.

Generally, radio stations ask you come prepared for the interview with a list of questions for the host to ask.  Comedians most often give questions that provide set-ups for jokes.  The interviewer asks the question and the comedian has something funny to say.  Up until five years ago, that was the only type of radio interview I had encountered.  That all changed the day I was booked on WGN Radio in Chicago with host Steve Cochran.  When I walked into the studio and extended my hand to give Steve my questions, he looked at me and very casually said, "Hey let's wing it."  My stomach turned a full circle at the thought of being interviewed as if I was totally unprepared!

That interview made me a believer in impromptu interviews.  Rather than responding to Steve Cochran's questions in a semi-robotic fashion, I was able to totally be myself and enjoy the moment.  I also realized that speaking on the radio is a lot like talking to your girlfriends on the phone - just chat.  The only difference is that thousands of people are listening.  That makes your thoughts, ideas and humor seem tremendously important!  Since my interview on WGN, I am hooked on "winging it."  The experience could not have been more fun!

Series - Ten Funny Keynote Speakers and Corporate Comedians Who Market Intelligently

Jeanne Robertson

Generally, a clean corporate comedian or funny keynote speaker will have a business model.  In general terms, this can be inspired by watching another professional funny speaker in performance, in demeanor or even his or her ability to market themselves.

I have a business model is the form of a very funny lady who tells funny stories.  Her name is Jeanne Robertson.  She carries herself beautifully, tells stories naturally and is hip enough to be on Sirius Satellite Radio!

Jeanne Robertson is a professional funny speaker specializing in humor based on life experiences.  She knows that a sense of humor is a strategy for success.  Speaking to large audiences regularly, Jeanne Robertson utilizes her positive and funny style to engage her fans.

Jeanne Robertson is easy to notice. At 6'2" she is very recognizable.  Jeanne adeptly turns life experiences into funny material that elicits laughter.  Jeanne's very special Southern drawl adds to her uniqueness and leave her audience thinking about her message!

Ten Funny Keynote Speakers Who Market Intelligently

Funny Keynote Speakers and Intelligent Marketing

This is a ten-part series highlighting funny keynote speakers and corporate comedians who use both their creativity and intellect to market successfully.  As president of The Humorous Speakers Bureau and a clean female comedian, I know the importance of effectively combining these two aspects of the public speaking business in order to establish a strong customer base with recurring appearances at events.  I am presenting these speakers daily, but in no particular order.  They are all No. 1 in my opinion.

David Michael


Corporate Speaker David Michael believes that Verbal communication is vital to success in business especially in today's atmosphere.  David Michael has concentrated his career on making people more effective speakers and presenters.  By combining his education (University of Pittsburgh degree in communications, BA) and his vast experience in the corporate and entertainment worlds, he has come up with a program called, "Secrets from the Greenroom" and written a very informative book by the same name.

"Secrets from the Greenroom"  - Buy Now

Keeping up with David Michael is easy because he maintains a current and informative blog:  http://www.davidmichaellive.blogspot.com.  

I encourage you to "follow!"

Three Secrets to Becoming a Clean Stand-up Comedian

Secrets to Becoming a Clean Stand-up Comedian

Many new comedians grace the stage with full intent of delivering a clean show. They take the showcase stage at comedy clubs like Zanies Comedy Club, The Laugh Factory, Up Comedy Club or The Improv and attempt to deliver clean comedy. By performing clean comedy, whether they be funny female comedians or male clean comedians they are then able to pursue the goal of someday performing solo as a clean corporate comedian.

1)  Performing clean comedy means there should be no use of swear words, no offensive set-ups and no offensive punchlines.  It is important not to embarrass or offend as a corporate comedian.  An offended audience leads to complaints to human resources. Repetitive complaints may develop into real problems for the company hosting the corporate event.  Violating the rules of "clean" will result in loss of trust, reputation and bookings.

2)  Be aware of your own interpretation of clean comedy.  "Clean" should not be a product of your own subjective interpretation. New talent today takes its direction from Comedy Central where there are no limits on topics and vocabulary. A new comic often believes if he simply "cleans up his act" by cleaning up his four letter words, the goal of clean comedy has been accomplished. I've seen club owners shaking their heads in dismay as they watch a new talent use every word but the "f" bomb and think they've achieved clean.

Subject matter that is truly "clean" is a topic that you could deliver one-on-one to your Aunt Clara in front of her bridge club. This is assuming your aunt was never a member of Hell's Angels or senior cook on a ship. Topics involving family, sports, children, husbands, wives and corporate life are all fair game. Any talk of sex must be approached with extreme caution. After all, would you feel comfortable talking about sex to your Aunt Clara?

3)  "Customized humor" is a good way to go if you want strong laughs that hit close to home for a corporate audience. Customizing humor involves researching the company's background and core interests prior to taking the stage. Although individuals can also be singled out as fodder, it is very effective to read from the company's handbook or muse over their graphs and charts. Where there has been pain, there is gain in the laugh department.

If you want to write clean, turn off the TV and think back to your childhood. What was right and what was wrong in dialogue with adults? These thoughts will be your guide. Writing clean material is a very difficult challenge when creating a new routine but taking the high road will lead to respect among your peers and admiration from you corporate audience.

At This Clean Comedy Event, I Sat Next to a Bishop! That is Clean Comedy Pressure!

Series: Ten Funny Keynote Speakers Who Market Intelligently - Number One

As a clean corporate comedian and president of the Humorous Speakers Bureau, I know that there is a long list of "must-haves" in a humorist or funny keynote speaker to make their career a success.  A creative mind is a genuine asset but it is also necessary to be an expert marketer in order to reach your potential customers. Ten keynote speakers who seem to have tapped into this professional market in a resourceful way are as follows:  I admire their energy and drive!  This is the first of a ten-part series.

David Schwensen:  Dave's inside knowledge of the entertainment industry was earned as Talent Coordinator for the television show "A&E's - An Evening at the Improv" and The Improv Comedy Clubs in Hollywood and New York.  He also acted as a consultant for many television shows including "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Late Night with David Letterman," "The Today Show", "Comedy Central", "HBO", "MTV" and "Disney."  Dave's comedy workshops are based on his book "How to Be a Working Comic" and he has designed and instructs courses for Cleveland State University and others on the value of humor and creativity as productive networking and team building tools.  He is a keynote speaker and a trainer, and the author of five books.

Now David Schwensen shares what he knows about the speaking industry in his seminars and keynotes which pinpoint the value of creativity and humor in communications. See: http://davepresents.com/

Keynote Speaker Dave Schwensen