Talking about the fact that I get depressed or that I've had some suicidal issues in my life is not easy. I don't know of many comedians who are going all in on that. In some sense, I think I've maybe sacrificed some momentum doing that. In another sense, I'm in a place where if I can talk about that and if it helps some kid in a way that gives them some help that wasn't available to me when I was a kid, then I gotta do that. Put being a good person first. If you have a platform, use it for stuff that's noble and good and worth putting out in the world.
Chris GethardThe whole romanticized sad clown thing, we have to get rid of that. That has to go. That's just getting sick people to voluntarily stay sicker and sadder than they have to be.
Chris GethardI just like testing myself. I just have that thing in me. Whatever it is that people tell me I can't do, I've gotta try it.
Chris GethardEveryone needs some trial and error figuring out how it's gonna work for them. I could have gotten that out of the way a little sooner but I think you're totally right, the way I kind of think about things and the way I wanted to put myself out there doesn't fit the traditional side of things. I needed things like podcasts and YouTube and things that allow you to get it out there yourself and stand in the flames.
Chris GethardIf there's one regret I have of my time in comedy it's that I really I was so obsessed with improv for so many years and I exclusively did improv for the first 6 years or 7 years. I was doing comedy and then I started doing solo work and stand up, a bit of writing, making videos, and really going into it on that end.
Chris GethardI think for a lot of people, the financial barrier is the biggest leap you have to take to follow your dreams. A lot of people don't want to stick their necks out and take that risk, which is totally understandable - I think for a lot of people it doesn't happen because it's not a necessity. Unless it's a necessity to do this, it can be a pretty scary process.
Chris Gethard