JONATHAN FALCONER

UNO: HOW DID YOU GET INTO STAND-UP COMEDY? Jonathan: I originally got into comedy because I don’t like being afraid of things; I was terrified of public speaking and I wanted to overcome it. I absolutely dreaded giving presentations at uni but I knew I’d need to continue to give them, so I figured I should try to get over it. I really liked watching stand-up comedy and I thought it would be a great way to overcome my fear.

The first time I went to an open mic, I was too afraid to go up. There was a lottery set-up where they’d randomly pick the performers’ names, and I remember being terrified they’d pick mine. Eventually, I went up and performed an objectively terrible set, had a huge adrenaline rush and felt like I had to keep doing it until I felt comfortable on stage. I started to like it and got better, so I stuck with it.

WHAT’S YOUR DAY JOB? WILL THAT CHANGE NOW YOU’RE WORLDFAMOUS IN MT MAUNGANUI? I moved to New Zealand [from the US] with a position as a post-doctoral research fellow in chemistry at the University of Otago and the MacDiarmid Institute, but that recently ended. I also do some science communication stuff on Radio New Zealand and a fledgling podcast. I’m currently looking for jobs, but in the meantime I’m giving comedy my all and have some shows lined up around the South Island.

I’m definitely using my [Best New Act win at the Mount Comedy Festival] in

My comical romance

We chew the fat with the Mount Comedy Festival’s Best New Act, Jonathan Falconer, and find out how he fell in love with stand-up.

INTERVIEW JENNY RUDD / PHOTOS SUPPLIED

all of my promotional stuff and I’m trying not to let the new-found fame go to my head, which is pretty easy considering my show coming up in four days time hasn’t sold a single ticket yet.

YOU LIVE IN DUNEDIN. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT THE MOUNT COMEDY FESTIVAL? I’m in a New Zealand comedy Facebook group, where I saw the hilarious and absolutely delightful Brendhan Lovegrove post about the competition. I knew my job would be ending around then, so I figured it was the perfect time to give it a shot. It’s also not hard to convince me to come to a place as beautiful as Mt Maunganui.

HOW DID YOU PREPARE FOR IT? I had a set planned from all my old material, but also tried to study the crowd to see which types of jokes were working, so I could modify my set if needed. I also tried to pay attention to things comics mentioned before me on stage, so I could use a similar premise as an opener.

“ I ’ M D E F I N I T E L Y U S I N G M Y [ B E S T N E W A C T W I N ] I N A L L O F M Y P R O M O T I O N A L S T U F F A N D I ’ M T R Y I N G N O T T O L E T T H E N E W - F O U N D F A M E G O T O M Y H E A D . ”

WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE HEATS OF THE BEST NEW ACT COMPETITION – WHAT WAS THE FORMAT? There were two heats of 12 comics, with 10 advancing to the final. The final was then winnertakes-all.

HOW DID YOU PREPARE YOUR SET FOR THE FINAL? I basically put together the funniest jokes I had in terms of laughs per minute that I’d written over the seven years I’ve been doing comedy. I was fortunate that Scott [Blanks, founder of Auckland comedy club The Classic] was an absolute legend and booked me for a few shows before the final, at which I was able to run through my complete set for sold-out crowds.

WHAT KIND OF COMEDY DO YOU LIKE AND WHO DO YOU ADMIRE? I generally like dark, sardonic comedy, but I don’t watch much stand-up anymore. I’m such a tough critic at this point and to be honest I don’t think I’m a very good judge of good comedy. Right now I like Dave Attell, Patrice O’Neal, Joe DeRosa, Dave Chappelle, [the late] Sean Rouse and Maria Bamford.

WHICH OTHER ACTS DID YOU ENJOY AT THE FESTIVAL? I didn’t see everybody’s entire set, unfortunately,

Jonathan’s latest show could be coming to a venue near you.

but I thought Becky Umbers, Dean Coughlin and Jim Peters were all great. I was really impressed with the quality of the performers in the competition, and Brendhan Lovegrove did an amazing job as host.

OF COURSE, WE HAVE TO ASK – WHAT ARE YOU SPENDING YOUR WINNINGS ON? Being the risk-taker that I am, I pre-spent most of it on the trip up from Dunedin, hoping I’d win – and celebrated by surfing pumping waves at Raglan. Then I commissioned a poster for the show I’m planning to perform around New Zealand and some targeted Facebook ads to promote it. Be on the lookout for World’s Dumbest Doctor, as I might be bringing it to the North Island.

WHAT ARE YOUR COMEDY CAREER PLANS? Well, as of last week, I don’t have a job, so I’ve turned into a professional comedian, which is a lot easier than it sounds. You just start telling people you’re a professional comedian; there’s no governing body to confirm or deny your claims.

I reckon if I live in my 1996 Honda Orthia and spearfish for my food, I’ll be able to get by. If I can increase my Instagram followers from 400 to 20,000, I could make liveable money doing comedy, so please follow me. I’m also open to any positions that require someone with a PhD in pharmaceutical chemistry. Am I allowed to turn this story into a ‘Job wanted’ ad? I want to get residency in New Zealand, so please help – don’t make me go back to America!

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