I think comedy is no different now than it was at other points. It takes a long time to get good and know how to distill what makes you funny beyond the realm of standup, which is what I'm trying to do with 'Teachers Lounge.'

You'll get them tomorrow. You gave it a good shot. Keep your chin up.

That heightened dynamic can produce interesting, funny ideas that are phrased in ways that surprise even you, as the performer.

Not that that's the goal, but sometimes these funny insights can also be deeply profound.

Certainly, you want to be liked, but as you gain confidence and experience you're more concerned with expressing yourself and what matters to you.

Sometimes it's fun to explore ideas that might make people uncomfortable. If you let it, there's a lot of self-censoring that can go on in the name of remaining likeable, but I don't find that an artistically interesting path to take.

Sometimes crowds start out not liking someone but then they shift and love them. Or vice versa. It can shift on a dime.