This week, we’re highlighting 25 talented writers and performers for Vulture’s annual list “The Comedians You Should and Will Know.” Our goal is to introduce a wider audience to the talent that has the comedy community and industry buzzing. (You can read more about our methodology at the link above.) We asked the comedians on the list to answer a series of questions about their work, performing, goals for the future, and more. Next up is Opey Olagbaju.
Tell us a story from your childhood you think explains why you ended up becoming a comedian.
My mom once came to my third-grade class to share Nigerian food and African campfire tales. She had the whole class laughing and choking on puff puff. To this day, it’s the hardest any family member has killed in front of a live audience. Shout-out moms.
What unscripted or reality series do you think you’d excel at? What archetype do you think you’d be?
The Amazing Race. Is that still on? I feel like I’d be the unsuspecting villain who gives the other contestants the wrong flight information. I’d be like Richard Hatch but with even more nudity.
What’s your proudest achievement of your comedy career so far?
Getting to follow Dave Attell at the Comedy Cellar. He’s one of my idols, so it was crazy surreal. I’ll never forget what he said to me as he got offstage: “Watch out for that table in the corner. They’re very talkative.”
What have you learned about your own joke-writing process that you didn’t know when you started?
For me, the best jokes take a long time to develop. I have jokes from when I first started that still aren’t “finished.” Finding the “bounce” of a joke is the hardest part. The only solution is to keep coming back and tinkering with the bit.
Tell us everything about your worst show ever. (This can involve venue, audience, other comedians on the lineup — anything!)
My worst bomb was at the University of South Florida opening up for the big homey T. Murph. They even wrote an article about it in the school paper. Not only did they disclose how much money I was making for the gig, but they also said, “The opening comedian was Opeyemi Olagbaju, who was kicked off the show with his vulgar anecdotes and profane humor.”
Let’s say we live in a “Kings of Catchphrase Comedy” alternate dimension where every single comedian is required to have a hit catchphrase. What’s yours and why?
After every big joke, I’d point to the sky and say, “It’s not Olagbaju — it’s all about you.” Then I’d do the sign of the cross.
Nominate one comedian you don’t know personally you think is overdue for wider recognition and why you’re a fan of their work.
Ramsey Badawi is a guy that everyone should know. He’s got one of the quickest minds in the game, and his Don’t Tell set is my personal favorite. He’s a rascal, and I can’t wait for him to blow up.
When it comes to your comedy opinions — about material, performing, audience, trends you want to kill/revive, the industry, etc. — what hill will you die on?
I don’t think comics should be allowed to post a photo of themselves onstage from a show that they bombed at.
If you had to come onstage to just one song for the rest of your life, what song would it be and why?
One time I went up to “Higher” by Creed as a joke and had one of the greatest sets of my life. So maybe that?
What is the best comedy advice, and then the worst comedy advice, you’ve ever received, either when you were starting out or more recently?
The best comedy advice I got was to “quit.” The worst comedy advice I got was to “keep going.”
More From This Series
- 2023’s Comedians You Should Know Reflect on a Big Year
- Zach Zucker Dares to Say Comedy Is About Being Funny
- Sophie Zucker Is Sick of the Irony
