Tacoma comedian Jo Koy destined for Handler’s Netflix show

Q: What does your stand-up set entail?

A: It’ll be mostly new material I’m working on for my third one-hour Comedy Central special, filming early next year. I always joke around about every city that I go into. It keeps me on my toes and makes each show more fun.

Q: What is Chelsea like in person?

A: She is exactly how she was on the show. Nothing fake. Never holds her tongue for anything but is very generous and giving. I owe her big time.

Q: Do you subscribe to the oft-quoted expression that “Dying is easy, comedy is hard?”

A: I’m making people laugh, living my dream. Who gets to live their dream? Me. Can you hear the happiness in my voice? No really. That’s the best. The worst part of my job is sometimes going to airports from city to city can make me tired, plus being away from my son is tough. But thank God I’m not selling shoes anymore.

Q: What was your lucky break and how did you get it?

A: The first standup gig for me was “Catch A Rising Star” at the MGM Grand Casino. I did 12 shows for $700. The booker from MGM saw me play at a Vegas coffeehouse at open mic night in 1994. He walked up to me and offered me my first paid gig on the spot.

Q: What is one thing you wish you knew about showbiz when you first started out?

A: Timing is everything. It takes a long time to get somewhere. There are no quick journeys. Being patient is very important in this game.

Q: Where do you find inspiration for your act?

A: Things that are close to me, family, my son, that kind of stuff. That’s where I find all my materials. I also make fun of myself a lot. The comedians I find most funny are probably Eddie Murphy, David Chappelle and Brian Regan.

Q: What has been the high point in your career?

A: Working with Jon Lovitz, a guy that I pretty much impersonated in high school. Now he is a good friend of mine and he talks about me in his act. That is the most surreal moment of my career.

Q: What advice would you give to a person with similar aspirations?

A: Remember that it’s a long road, but you’ll enjoy every step of the journey. Stay focused and stay funny. And love making people laugh.

Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Sarah Jean Muncey-Gordon puts on some BITCHSTIX lip oil at Bandbox Beauty Supply on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, in Langley, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Bandbox Beauty was made for Whidbey Island locals, by an island local

Founder Sarah Muncey-Gordon said Langley is in a renaissance, and she’s proud to be a part of it.

A stroll on Rome's ancient Appian Way is a kind of time travel. (Cameron Hewitt)
Rick Steves on the Appian Way, Rome’s ancient superhighway

Twenty-nine highways fanned out from Rome, but this one was the first and remains the most legendary.

Byrds co-founder Roger McGuinn, seen here in 2013, will perform April 20 in Edmonds. (Associated Press)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

R0ck ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Roger McGuinn, frontman of The Byrds, plans a gig in Edmonds in April.

Mother giving in to the manipulation her daughter fake crying for candy
Can children be bribed into good behavior?

Only in the short term. What we want to do is promote good habits over the course of the child’s life.

Speech Bubble Puzzle and Discussion
When conflict flares, keep calm and stand your ground

Most adults don’t like dissension. They avoid it, try to get around it, under it, or over it.

The colorful Nyhavn neighborhood is the place to moor on a sunny day in Copenhagen. (Cameron Hewitt)
Rick Steves: Embrace hygge and save cash in Copenhagen

Where else would Hans Christian Andersen, a mermaid statue and lovingly decorated open-face sandwiches be the icons of a major capital?

Last Call is a festured artist at the 2024 DeMiero Jazz Festival: in Edmonds. (Photo provided by DeMiero Jazz Festival)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Jazz ensemble Last Call is one of the featured artists at the DeMiero Jazz Festival on March 7-9 in Edmonds.

Kim Helleren
Local children’s author to read at Edmonds Bookshop

Kim Helleren will read from one of her books for kids at the next monthly Story Time at Edmonds Bookshop on March 29.

Chris Elliott
Lyft surprises traveler with a $150 cleaning charge

Jared Hakimi finds a $150 charge on his credit card after a Lyft ride. Is that allowed? And will the charge stick?

Inside Elle Marie Hair Studio in Smokey Point. (Provided by Acacia Delzer)
The best hair salon in Snohomish County

You voted, we tallied. Here are the results.

The 2024 Kia EV9 electric SUV has room for up to six or seven passengers, depending on seat configuration. (Photo provided by Kia)
Kia’s all-new EV9 electric SUV occupies rarified air

Roomy three-row electric SUVs priced below 60 grand are scarce.

2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE Premium AWD (Photo provided by Toyota)
2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE Premium AWD

The compact SUV electric vehicle offers customers the ultimate flexibility for getting around town in zero emission EV mode or road-tripping in hybrid mode with a range of 440 miles and 42 mile per gallon fuel economy.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.