Andy Franklin Showed Me His Sausage and How He Makes It.
I certainly won't forget that evening anytime soon.
A few weeks prior, Andy contacted me and extended a warm invitation to witness his comedy show, which, to my delight, was also being recorded for a comedy special!
So, there I was, on a Friday night, with my wife graciously taking care of our child so I could enjoy a night out. Accompanied by a friend, we made our way down the stairs into the vibrant basement that is the renowned Hyenas Comedy Club Red Room in Ft. Worth, TX.
I've seen Andy's name all over the inter-webs and various comedy posters, but admittedly, I have not watched him perform. However, fellow comic Ryan Perrio once described him to me as "Old Urkel."
Needless to say, I was very excited to watch a new (to me) comic for the first time.
(Pro tip: If you're wondering how to attract more people to your show, here's a simple trick - personally invite them.)
So, what does it mean to record a comedy "special" these days? With the advent of YouTube and social media, the comedy special has taken on a new meaning.
In some ways, it has lost its luster. Gone are the days of large networks picking comics out of the crowd and placing them on their stage. You no longer need to be the biggest name in comedy to record your set and release it to the public.
However, this also means the comedy world has opened its doors to a larger potential comedy audience as well as a larger variety of stellar comics.
There are more than just a handful of network-picked comics performing today that are worthy of our time as an audience, and now we can experience them without gatekeepers telling us when to do so.
This is, in part, what made me very excited to watch Andy perform. When I see or hear someone taking their career into their own hands instead of waiting for someone else to make it happen for them, it makes me want to come out and support them.
Thankfully, the urge to support Andy did not go unrewarded. Andy is silly, goofy, and incredibly fun. He's somehow highly energetic without actually moving a lot. He is a great example of not judging a book by its cover.
His silliness often exposes the juxtaposition of how he was raised compared to how he lives now, and it gives you lots of insight into his personal life. Just when you think you've got your judgment dialed in, he throws you another curveball to remind you that there are still mysteries to uncover.
One trait I admired about his performance was his ability to discuss race without being a derivative hack. It's so easy for many comics to fall into the "this is how white people do things vs this is how black people do things" trope. The moment a comic drifts into that territory, I tend to cringe a little because it's usually overdone and rarely funny.
However, Andy managed to navigate the topic of race in a way that exceeded my expectations and made it genuinely enjoyable. Perhaps it was his skillful integration of crowd work and prepared material that allowed him to play with the concepts of our racial differences.
Andy effortlessly found multiple avenues during his set to connect his material with the audience members, drawing them into the jokes. By the end of the show, I felt like I had learned as much about Andy's audience as I did about him.
It’s always an impressive feat to me when a comic can incorporate an enormous amount of crowd work without being heckled. Perhaps that is one of the best testaments to Andy’s likability and fun-loving nature during his performance.
It was a surprisingly immersive experience that left me wondering if we were all newfound best friends.
In addition to the great stage performance, the night felt a little more special knowing that there were cameras around the room capturing these moments. That we were all pulling the curtain back a little to see how the sausage is made in this new age of comedy recordings.
Who knows what will happen with the footage or if it will ever see the light of day, but it felt great knowing that I was involved with something that could potentially boost this comic's career to new heights.
Andy is a fantastic comic who deserves more attention and support.
In closing, I ask that we all consider the importance of supporting artists attempting to carve their own paths. By embracing their endeavors, we not only contribute to their success but also enrich our own lives with the products of their efforts.
If you have the chance to be a part of their journey just by showing up, then please, be sure to show up.
Travis Wright is the host of the “I’m a fan of…” podcast. If you enjoy music and comedy, be sure to subscribe to the podcast and check out the You Tube Channel. Thanks!