Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?
Hello! I’m Chris Gethard, a New Jersey based comedian, podcaster, and author. Very nice to meet you.
How would you describe your show?
It’s a look at fatherhood – first via the lens that I recently became a father, but more so through looking back at my own childhood and realising it took the birth of my son for me to learn a lot about my dad. So, it’s joke heavy and funny, with some turns in there that get emotional. It’s a good show. I like it.
Why do you want to perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
I’ve done the Fringe once before – I don’t think there’s a better place on earth to get a show as good as fast. You walk away from that month feeling like your show hit the gym every day, and probably used steroids too.
What differentiates it from other festivals?
You do your show every night for a month. Up against thousands of other acts. Praying people show up, knowing the only thing truly in control is your ability to make your show as good as possible to generate word of mouth. That’s daunting and challenging and thrilling.
What first motivated you to enter the industry? Who were your inspirations?
I’ve never been a huge fan of the industry. I was just a depressed freak of a teenager who figured out that going on stage made me feel comfortable in my own skin for fifteen minutes at a time. So I started when I was 19 and never stopped. I just turned 42.
Inspirations? Andy Kaufman, Eddie Murphy, David Letterman, and Howard Stern were among some of the early ones I remember.
How has your background, upbringing and education had an impact on your artistic career?
My upbringing certainly shows up a lot in this current show. I am American, so I think we have slightly different interpretations of the phrase, but I grew up what we call “lower middle class” in the states. I think it’s always given me a strong work ethic and a bit of a chip on my shoulder. I’ve never felt fancy or like I belonged in “the industry”. So I’ve carved my own path and made my own way.
What is your earliest childhood art memory?
My mother took us to the playhouse a couple towns over to see a puppeteer. The man had some sort of cardiac episode on stage and fell off the stage into the orchestra pit. You asked for earliest art memory, not the first positive one!
If you didn’t have your current job, what would you probably be doing?
Hopefully something with less self-doubt inherent to it, and since I am an American, something with reliable health insurance.
Did Covid-19 change the way you create work? Do you approach shows with a different mentality now?
It hasn’t altered the artistic approach too much. That being said, I’ve always been someone who remembers that I’m lucky I get to do this, and now that feeling of being grateful is even more pronounced.
Describe the last year in 5 words or less?
Hope has returned.
Do you subscribe to the idea that art should be exempt from ‘cancel culture’?
No. There are consequences to actions. If art is good enough people will see the validity in it and even if it’s divisive, it will find its audience. I am tired of people making tons of money screaming about cancel culture on the largest platforms in the world. It’s the opposite of being cancelled. When people make art about how their prior art has suffered from cancel culture? I could not find it more boring or useless.
If you could work with anybody, from any point in history, who would you pick and why?
It would be very cool to be directed as an actor by Billy Wilder.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to take a show up to the fringe?
Cross your fingers, work hard and do your best, and don’t expect to make much money.
When and where can people see your show?
Gilded Balloon Teviot, Billiard Room, 18:00, all through August.
And where can people find, follow and like you online?
I’m at @chrisgeth on Instagram and @chrisgethard on Twitter.
See Chris Gethard: The Father and A Sun at the Gilded Balloon during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe from 3-28 August. For more information and tickets visit www.edfringe.com or www.gildedballoon.co.uk
0 Comments