Once again, another pillar in our showbiz industry has shared his opinion on the comedy incision of the current crop of Ghanaian comedians and the stand-up comedy industry in Ghana.
Three personalities whose names always come up as far as stand-up comedy is concerned are Mr. Fritz Baffour, Kwaku Sintim-Misa aka KSM, and Tommy Annan Forson. It appears these three revered personalities have a very high making scheme when it comes to standup comedy for the new-age comedians.
In a chat with 'Razz' newspaper, Uncle Tommy stated �Generally, I don�t find Ghanaian comedians funny. I don�t! What most of them are doing is not comedy. I�m sorry but this is the hard truth.�
He continued: �What they are doing is �concert� or ��� or something I don�t even know the right words to use to describe it (pauses) �I think they can do way better than this.�
He explained that comedy is a very difficult field and required deep thinking, research, rehearsals, mentoring, and smartness, �Look, I have my litmus test I use in knowing my audience mood � and that is, the first lines I give. Once the audience do not laugh, I know their mood and quickly change my act and sharpen whatever I say next. (Laughs).�
He advised the current comedians to learn to be able to think off their feet on state, read audience mood, research, and churn out consistently excellent jokes � not the nine-day wonder� jokes or recycled ones.
Bemoaning the situation, he said, �Not long ago, I heard DKB performed well and people are so happy. It�s great but it should not end there. My question is, next time when he is given another chance, would he impress?
Consistency is Key. Funny Face started on a very good note, today where is he? I�m not seeing him and it worries me because I�ve coached him before. Consistency is Key in whatever we do.�
For the first time, Tommy Annan Forson also expressed his disappointment at Charterhouse for always contracting Nigerian comedians for the �1000 Laughs & Music� shows held in Ghana.
�True, the Nigerian guys are doing well but I don�t get it � why we should always leave our own for them. I don�t find our comedians funny but charity begins at home. Once Chapter house keeps going in for the Nigerians, we must examine ourselves as a people!�
�It means there is something wrong with ours. Something is definitely wrong somewhere! The fact that I don�t find our comedians generally funny does not mean I don�t love them. I�m only throwing a challenge to them to raise the bar and yearn for excellence and not be complacent with the little applause they are getting now.�
Asked which of the current comedians he believes are very good in their comedy act, Uncle Tom said: �I like DKB and James Brown. Even with them (heaves a deep sigh of relief) it can get better. There is more work to be done. The future looks bright.