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Cornering the comedy market

Every week, members of UAB's Comedy Corner face a collaborative responsibility - preserving a 21-year legacy while maintaining fresh and innovative material.

"It's hard to keep up a Grade-A show every week," said Andrew Shemin, Comedy Corner producer, writer and performer. "But when we have our up weeks, we are really great."

Although the members of Comedy Corner have changed throughout the years at the UA, Shemin said he believes the high comedic standards exist in every show.

"Comedy Corner has a long history," Shemin said. "People know us and in effect, we are able to get better performers to audition."

The show is primarily sketch humor, but also combines improv comedy and games into their shows.

Shemin said the ability to know what the audience wants to see and what they are sick of seeing is key in creating a truly humorous show.

"A Monica Lewinsky joke would get you a groan and an outcry," Shemin said. "It's too dated. You don't laugh about Jimmy Carter or Milli Vanilli anymore."

The basement of the Memorial Student Union is home to the University Activities Board comedy troupe and has housed many hours of rehearsals.

In preparation for the show, the 12 performers and six writers work together, and some members take on both improvisational and sketch comedic aspects, creating an increased work load.

"We spend 10 hours a week going over material," Comedy Corner director Ted Simpao said. "That equals about 18 to 19 pages of material each week, so we rely on everyone to bring in their own material."

Shemin said he believes that the troupe's hard work creates an entertaining show every Friday.

"I think our improv improves on a daily basis," said Shemin, a French and creative writing sophomore. "And our sketch writing is still a the top of our game."

The Comedy Corner cast said they have received criticisms about their brand of humor - especially because of their use of profanity and controversial topics.

Still, the troupe has kept an open mind to the criticism.

"It's delightfully disgusting and disturbing," psychology sophomore Jody Sabel said. "But you can't help but laugh."

Simpao, a biology junior, said crudeness can sometimes add to the humor.

"I don't think that we use profanity as the joke itself," he said. "People say that cussing is cheap, but comedy itself is an exercise in cheapness."

Shemin said there is nothing wrong with talking about the human body - with or without clothing.

"It's important for us not to take the scatological humor too far," he said. "If it's used appropriately and in the right context, because its our responsibility not to overuse it. We have no problem talking about the human body, in its most natural element."

Audience member Amy Olsen, a veterinary science sophomore, said she believes Comedy Corner's willingness to joke about any subject appeals to most students.

"I think it's great," she said. "There is nothing sacred - they make fun of everything."

Simpao stresses that each member of Comedy Corner must work together to create a truly successful show.

"Compare (Comedy Corner) to a sports team," he said. "We practice a lot. Everyone fills a niche in our group."