LOL WITH IT: Q&A with Chip Chantry

For my inaugural weekly examination of the Philadelphia comedy scene, I decided to talk to the source. The man whose name is practically synonymous with "Philadelphia Comedy Scene." The man who — if you've been to an open-mike, showcase, or even marquee comedy show in the last seven years in Philly — you basically know his life story (and you sympathize). Unfortunately, J Creed Cat Credo never returned my fax, so I had to settle for Chip Chantry ... Photo by Dave Walk Perhaps Philadelphia's most notorious jokester, Chip Chantry Critical Mass: What is Philly comedy like in 2010 compared to when you started in 2003? Chip Chantry: Comedy in Philly is amazing in 2010. There are TONS of really talented people in town right now. And just as importantly, it's a fun, supportive comedy community, which helps everyone to grow. The major difference from when I started is that there are not only more comics and venues, but there is a comedy crowd in town. Years ago, we'd put on shows and NO ONE would come. Now there is a growing, enthusiastic comedy fan base, which is still a novelty to me, and something that I (and all the other comics) are so grateful for. CM: Who are the most awesome people you've met through doing comedy? CC: Almost every comic (standup, sketch, improv, etc) I meet is incredible. When I walk into a room full of comics, I'm like a kid in a candy store. My best friends are comedians. There is a real bond among people who do what we do. Let's say you and another person kill a man in Vegas one night, and dispose of the body; you'll always have that bond. I'd have to assume it's the same feeling among comics. It's a sacred bond--more legal than manslaughter, but about the same amount of shame. Plus, places like Helium have given me the opportunity to meet (and work with) some of the best comics in the world (Dave Attell, Bill Burr, Todd Glass, Paul F. Tompkins to name a few) which is such a valuable experience. CM: What is the importance of the spoken-joke as we flail through post-modernity? CC: There is NOTHING like being at a live comedy show. When it goes well, there is an energy in the room that can't be duplicated on TV, radio, or youtube. Not by a long shot. I mentioned a bond between comics, but to be in a tiny room, packed with 200 people, all laughing at the same thing, there is nothing technology can do to come close to that. It sounds ridiculous, but comedy is about bringing people together to share in the absurdity of the human experience. Youtube and twitter can't do that like a live show can. CM: What role will those virtual platforms play? CC: Outlets like twitter, facebook and youtube are extremely important. They enable people to get themselves out there on a much larger scale. It's amazing to write a snarky comment about Sarah Palin on your lunch break, and realize that a stranger in New Zealand thinks it's funny. I've always enjoyed trying to write concise, punchy jokes, and platforms like twitter force you to do just that. It's such a fun, practical writing exercise. Plus, we are all so fast-paced these days; it used to be that if something newsworthy happened on Tuesday, you could tell a joke about it on the following weekend. Now people are writing jokes in REAL TIME, and getting them out there. Now, if you try to do Tuesday's joke, by Saturday night, it's old news. CM: What sort of lush guffaw-metropolis will Philadelphia be in 2020, perhaps relative to other cities you've performed in? CC: I can only hope that it keeps moving in this direction. We always joked about making Philly the "Seattle of Comedy" (grunge reference). But I think it could really happen. It will be interesting to see how comedy itself evolves. I sometimes worry that in another ten years, the average person won't have the attention span to sit through a 90-minute show. Comedy might have to adapt to keep up with the technological age. But as for Philly, it keeps getting better every year. CM: Any words about your wildly popular Chip Chantry's One Man Show (w/ Special Guests)? CC: We're back! We are now at the Shubin Theatre (407 Bainbridge) on the first Monday of the month, at 8pm. Now that we have a theater at our disposal, expect a lot more video, audio, special effects, and the like. This last show kept people on their toes, not knowing what is coming next. I'd like to keep people guessing if I could. But Johnny Goodtimes and I are excited to be working with Philly Improv Theatre at the Shubin. CM: Your Cabin-mate Bing Supernova is known for his love of a fine baked brie. Entering into the holiday season what other treats will he enjoy? CC: Bing loves his Christmas whiskey. It keeps him warm and angry. CM: Got any dates to plug? CC: My next one man show will be on MONDAY, FEB 7th at the Shubin (407 Bainbridge St). You can also follow me on Twitter or Facebook for other updates.

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LOL WITH IT: Q&A with Chip Chantry

POSTED: Friday, December 17, 2010, 3:00 PM

Filed Under: Critical Mass LOL With It

Photo by Dave Walk

Perhaps Philadelphia's most notorious jokester, Chip Chantry

Critical Mass: What is Philly comedy like in 2010 compared to when you started in 2003? Chip Chantry: Comedy in Philly is amazing in 2010. There are TONS of really talented people in town right now. And just as importantly, it's a fun, supportive comedy community, which helps everyone to grow. The major difference from when I started is that there are not only more comics and venues, but there is a comedy crowd in town. Years ago, we'd put on shows and NO ONE would come. Now there is a growing, enthusiastic comedy fan base, which is still a novelty to me, and something that I (and all the other comics) are so grateful for. CM: Who are the most awesome people you've met through doing comedy? CC: Almost every comic (standup, sketch, improv, etc) I meet is incredible. When I walk into a room full of comics, I'm like a kid in a candy store. My best friends are comedians. There is a real bond among people who do what we do. Let's say you and another person kill a man in Vegas one night, and dispose of the body; you'll always have that bond. I'd have to assume it's the same feeling among comics. It's a sacred bond--more legal than manslaughter, but about the same amount of shame. Plus, places like Helium have given me the opportunity to meet (and work with) some of the best comics in the world (Dave Attell, Bill Burr, Todd Glass, Paul F. Tompkins to name a few) which is such a valuable experience. CM: What is the importance of the spoken-joke as we flail through post-modernity? CC: There is NOTHING like being at a live comedy show. When it goes well, there is an energy in the room that can't be duplicated on TV, radio, or youtube. Not by a long shot. I mentioned a bond between comics, but to be in a tiny room, packed with 200 people, all laughing at the same thing, there is nothing technology can do to come close to that. It sounds ridiculous, but comedy is about bringing people together to share in the absurdity of the human experience. Youtube and twitter can't do that like a live show can. CM: What role will those virtual platforms play? CC: Outlets like twitter, facebook and youtube are extremely important. They enable people to get themselves out there on a much larger scale. It's amazing to write a snarky comment about Sarah Palin on your lunch break, and realize that a stranger in New Zealand thinks it's funny. I've always enjoyed trying to write concise, punchy jokes, and platforms like twitter force you to do just that. It's such a fun, practical writing exercise. Plus, we are all so fast-paced these days; it used to be that if something newsworthy happened on Tuesday, you could tell a joke about it on the following weekend. Now people are writing jokes in REAL TIME, and getting them out there. Now, if you try to do Tuesday's joke, by Saturday night, it's old news. CM: What sort of lush guffaw-metropolis will Philadelphia be in 2020, perhaps relative to other cities you've performed in? CC: I can only hope that it keeps moving in this direction. We always joked about making Philly the "Seattle of Comedy" (grunge reference). But I think it could really happen. It will be interesting to see how comedy itself evolves. I sometimes worry that in another ten years, the average person won't have the attention span to sit through a 90-minute show. Comedy might have to adapt to keep up with the technological age. But as for Philly, it keeps getting better every year. CM: Any words about your wildly popular Chip Chantry's One Man Show (w/ Special Guests)? CC: We're back! We are now at the Shubin Theatre (407 Bainbridge) on the first Monday of the month, at 8pm. Now that we have a theater at our disposal, expect a lot more video, audio, special effects, and the like. This last show kept people on their toes, not knowing what is coming next. I'd like to keep people guessing if I could. But Johnny Goodtimes and I are excited to be working with Philly Improv Theatre at the Shubin. CM: Your Cabin-mate Bing Supernova is known for his love of a fine baked brie. Entering into the holiday season what other treats will he enjoy? CC: Bing loves his Christmas whiskey. It keeps him warm and angry. CM: Got any dates to plug? CC: My next one man show will be on MONDAY, FEB 7th at the Shubin (407 Bainbridge St). You can also follow me on Twitter or Facebook for other updates.

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Featuring everything from event roundups to concert reviews and sex talk, City Paper's Critical Mass is a space for off-the-wall coverage of Philly's A&E scene.

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