Oxford Karma: What made you decide that you were funny enough to try stand-up comedy?
Zach Smith: I’ve always thought standup would be fun and I’ve always thought I was funny. I had the support from some great friends to get up there and try it. They even came for the first four months. Then they realized I was going to suck for a long time and stopped coming.
OK: What are the best and worst (or favorite and least favorite) shows you have ever performed?
Smith: The best show I ever had was at [the University of Oklahoma]. I opened for a comic named Max Amini. It was a crowd of 300 Persians. I did 15 minutes of clean jokes right after a group of jugglers. They were the best audience ever. The worst show would be at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. The girl that set it up was awesome and they were really trying to do a good thing. The conditions were the worst. Everyone was working so they couldn’t look at me and there were forklifts going right in front of me of the whole time.
OK: What was the first joke you ever wrote that you actually performed on stage?
Smith: “I’m starting to think those Harlem Globetrotters games are fixed.” I hate it and it’s a total rip off of an idea The Simpsons did.
OK: If you were in a zombie apocalypse, what four celebrities would you want on your zombie survival team?
Smith: Tammy Faye Baker, Gary Busey, Jon Wurster and one-third of The Polyphonic Spree.
OK: How would you describe the OKC comedy scene? And how much would say it has changed since you started performing?
Smith: I love what’s happening in our local scene. It’s very hard working at the moment. It’s so much different than from when I started; a lot more venues are open to the idea of standup these days. When I started, the guys here were working hard but there seem to be a lack of venues. Things are the best they’ve been. I wish I was more a part of the scene. There are so many talented and hard working guys in this city.
OK: What’s your favorite Insane Clown Posse song? And why?
Smith: “Magnets” … “Miracles”? Whatever it was called. I don’t know. I’m fascinated by them, but have never delved into them. My answer would be whichever one I feel the most comfortable wearing JNCOs to.
OK: What’s the weirdest/craziest thing you have ever stolen (statute of limitations pending)?
Smith: I went on a really big saltshaker and fork kick. I mainly stole them out of necessity. I know it doesn’t make it right, but I really needed them.
OK: What do you think needs to happen to get more people out to see local comedy shows? Or do you think we have peaked?
Smith: I definitely wouldn’t say we’ve peaked. I don’t know if I have the answer to getting audiences out. We have to convince people it will always be a fun and innovative/new show from what they’ve seen. Maybe giving away drugs?
OK: What’s your joke-writing method? Do you just wait for them pop into your head organically or do you actually sit down and have brainstorming sessions?
Smith: I love thinking up weird one-liner jokes. Unfortunately, those are reserved for Twitter. I prefer to tell stories on stage these days. It’s as simple as someone telling me a story or me having an experience. I’m not a big sit-down-and-write guy; I usually just try to shape it in my head. Once I have a solid idea, I’ll start to jot it all down. Drugs?
OK: What’s your favorite joke from an OKC comedian who isn’t you?
Smith: The Mayhem joke by Spencer Hicks. It’s something I had studied and read about years before and to hear a local guy have a killer joke about it was amazing. He’s such a good writer.
OK: What’s your all-time favorite comedy special? And why?
Smith: I Still Have a Pony by Steven Wright. It’s my favorite album of all time. Before Mitch Hedberg and Zach Galifianakis, there was Steven Wright. His delivery, his material and his skill was so amazing to me and still is.
OK: Talk about/promote your album.
Smith: I’ve got an album on iTunes and Bandcamp. It’s called Scootch. I’m pretty proud of it. The worst part is I feel like my style has changed since I’ve recorded it. I’m still happy and proud; I just wish I would have waited another six months. It was recorded by Robot Saves City, and they rule.
You can follow Zach on Twitter: @ZachSmithComedy
