How did you get into stand-up comedy?
I got into comedy because people kept laughing at my attempts to do anything else with my life, so I took control of the situation.
Where do you get your inspiration for your material?
I walk around in circles thinking about the same thing over and over until it becomes funny, like a washing machine with a single sock in it. That’s a metaphor for my thought process by the way, I’m not saying ‘a sock in a washing machine’ is an example of a funny thing I might think. I actually find that image quite sad. Wish I hasn’t thought it now.
How do you deal with hecklers or a tough audience?
I usually stop the show and directly ask them why they don’t like me. I’ll then spend weeks, sometimes months, following them around, working my way into their personal life, getting close to them, so that they become so dependent on me there’s no way they could ever hate me without ultimately hating themselves.
What is the most memorable moment you've had on stage?
Most memorable was when a gig was going so badly a drunk woman got on stage with me to tell me I wasn’t very good, and rather than dismiss her I kept her on stage with me and we formed a double act for the rest of the show. It turned the gig around and the audience loved it. Well, they loved her, at least. And what happened to that drunk woman? Reader, I married her. Not really. She was awful, absolutely horrible.
What's been the highlight of your career as a stand-up comedian so far?
Undoubtedly when I was at the Edinburgh fringe and I walked past two people, one of whom said “oh my god that’s Jordan Brookes!” And the other one said “Who the fuck is Jordan Brookes?”.
Do you already have an impression of Switzerland and the Swiss, if so what is it?
Watches. Cheese. Flag looks like a First Aid kit. That’s all I’ve got for you right now, sorry. Can’t stop thinking about that sock in a washing machine.
If you had to choose a favourite city, Zurich or Basel?
They both seem like beautiful places. But based on google images, I’m a Basel boy through and through. It looks like somewhere I’d visit following a painful divorce and rediscover the joy in life.
How do you see more of Jordan Brookes?
Come see Jordan Brookes at The Big Comedy Kiss on the 23 of May in Basel and on the 24 of May in Zurich.
Can't make it?
Check him out on his website for more dates and shows here: Jordan Brookes.
His latest special "Body of Work" is hilarious, unique and freely available on YouTube.
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