STAND-UP TUESDAY: Tommy Johnagin

June 28th, 2011

Angie Frissore

We have been saying it for weeks, but Under The Gun Review is undergoing an evolution of sorts and part of this change involves the unveiling of many new, recurring features. Today we are continuing the debut one of our most anticipated features, a weekly comedy spotlight written by the wonderfully talented Angie Frissore. Covering both known and unknown comics, Stand-up Tuesdays is your new source for all things funny.

This week, we are putting a spotlight on Tommy Johnagin and his latest special, Stand Up Comedy 2. If you or your comedy troupe would like to be featured on Stand-Up Tuesdays, please email utgjames@gmail.com.

Many people know Tommy Johnagin as the runner-up on season 7 of Last Comic Standing – but for the astute fan, Johnagin achieved his rightful place in comedy much, much earlier than that.

Perhaps it’s the boyish image, or his down-to-earth and utter likability that feed into this misconception, but Tommy Johnagin has been carving his stand-up path for almost ten years. I recently had the opportunity to talk to Johnagin (twice, after an incident with a phone charger), not only about LCS, but more importantly, about the release of his new CD, Stand Up Comedy 2. The simple and concise title definitely serves its purpose for a comedy veteran like Johnagin.

“I would never personally buy a comedy CD because it had a funny title,” Johnagin notes. “I think simple is better, and I feel like now, every comedy CD I put out will have a simple title.”

The title also serves as reminder to fans that this is not Johnagin’s first release (easily dispelling the beliefs of LCS fans that he is new to the game). Offering more of the witty, personal hilarity we’ve come to expect, Stand Up Comedy 2 will have you in stitches from start to finish. Taped at Go Bananas Comedy Club in Cincinnati, Ohio, SUC2 addresses a variety of every day issues – from purchasing weed for the first time (and trying not to look like a rookie), to accidentally tossing a baby into a ceiling.

“I know you’re not supposed to throw a baby into a ceiling,” Johnagin quips as he jokes about being an uncle. “They don’t tell you that – you find out because you accidentally threw a baby into a ceiling.”

Johnagin’s ability to explain away the most absurd of situations is hilariously flawless. A genuinely nice guy, much of his humor stems from his own personal experiences – experiences his fans can often relate to.

“Mood swings is a lie anyway,” he quips in one bit. “I don’t know the last time a woman’s had mood swings and it’s landed on good – just nailed it.”

Prior to his appearance on Last Comic Standing, Johnagin had already accomplished (in one year, mind you) two major personal goals. He filmed his own Comedy Central Presents special, and had appearances on the Late Show with David Letterman. I asked Johnagin if he felt that being on LCS overshadowed what he had already achieved as a comedian.

“It [LCS] definitely gave the appearance to some people who don’t know a lot about stand up that I just started,” he explains, citing that some believed the show drew people in off the streets, a la American Idol. “A lot of people think it’s just a guy with a desk job before Last Comic Standing. But especially with the internet, if somebody likes you, they go on the internet, and they go, ‘Oh, well he’s been doing stuff for years now.’”

With so many achievements already under his belt, it’s easy to wonder where Johnagin’s career will take him next – but the thrill of being on national television on a weekly basis definitely appeals to him as he reflects on what his next goals are.

“It really is being on TV,” Johnagin states. “It’d be great as far as getting a show, whether it’s me hosting it or a show that I’ve written, or a role that’s perfect for me. I don’t really want to do that’s outside of my character. Getting on TV is all about having more people see me, and more people come to see me do stand-up.”

Johnagin also hints at the prospect of a future one-hour special in the next year or two – but in the more immediate future, he’ll be hitting the road this summer with a stop in Philadelphia towards the end of July, as well as other dates and cities that can be found on his website.
Stand Up Comedy 2 is in stores now, so be sure to pick up your copy today – and get your abs ready for an hour-long, intensely side-splitting experience.