The Comedy Interview: Michael Porter

Walking into Lucan Comedy Cavern, the location for my interview with Northern Ireland born comedian Micahael Porter, I was greeted by a poster which stated “MC Mad Mickey Porter”. This, I must admit, did not instill a lot of hope in me…but did mirror a lot of what had been said to me when I told people I was interviewing Michael. For me Michael is an interesting man and also a damn funny stand up, not even taking into account my fondness for the northern accent…with all this in mind I sat down with Michael to discuss all things comedy related and to get to know the man behind the persona.

So Michael how did you get into comedy?
It was a mistake. Well it kinda was. I stumbled into comedy by accident. I realised I have so much shit and traumatic experiences in my life that I have to do stand-up comedy, cos if I don’t I’ll go insane. I’m not going to be able to be handle being 45 and waking up next to a woman I hated but had been married to for 30 years and going aaggh what have I done with my life! Technically I started it 3 years ago. I went to an open mic in Masons in Derry in 2008, and I was terrible. I was talking about tellytubbies! I got a taste for it then. I left it for a while but came back and have been doing it for about a year and a half now mainstream.

What are your opinions on the Irish comedy scene?
The Irish comedy scene is wicked. Dublin is the best spot for comedy. You can do a gig every night in Dublin. There is a lot more to experience in Dublin and people that don’t like each other will still be professional and work together. I’ve done Lucan a few times, the Battle of the Axe, Anseo, the Capital and I love it. The people are nicer as well, plus my accent too…it melts people!

Michael on stage...

What’s your worst gig to date?
My worst gig would have to be in Derry. It was in a room that holds 200, there were 4 people in the audience and they were up the back so I was looking into an empty room basically. So I went on stage. There was 2 mics, cos the lads before me had been singing too like a double act. So I went to talk into the mic and it wouldn’t work. I went to lift the other mic to use it, and that mic halved and broke in my hand! I walked off stage. It defeated me!

Is comedy a tough business to be in?
The travelling can be tough. It is tiring but I really enjoy it. I do it because I love gigging. Sometimes I don’t get to a comedy gig until 10 mins before the start time. It can be very tough. If I organise it right, it’s not a problem! The other tough thing is travelling a long way for a 5 or so minute set. But that’s all part and parcel of getting your name out there!

What’s the best thing about being in comedy?
The best thing about being in comedy is jokes! But…I’m a bit strange. I try my material on random strangers. I did a gig on a bus once! I just started telling jokes. What’s the difference? Your telling jokes to random strangers and that’s what you’re doing when you do a gig. I go around my town and tell people jokes. You know what’s funny and what’s not then. Maybe it might work better cos at comedy gigs people expect jokes, they don’t expect to hear them walking down the street!

What do you think is the most important aspect of performing?
My answer would be connecting with a crowd. I’m just bringing what I believe is the most important element in comedy, the element of surprise! I want people to laugh but at the same time I want them walking away thinking yes the show was funny but I don’t fully understand why I’m still laughing! I see what he was trying to do even if I don’t fully understand it. I want them to try and work it out themselves. I want my material to connect with everyone in whatever way they feel it connects. For example if I were to do a joke about a bad relationship, not everyone has been in a bad relationship but everyone can connect with one! If you express the feelings involved, sadness loneliness, depression etc. then everyone has felt like that at some point in their life

Check out the T-shirt!

So Michael you seem to be a bit of a puzzle… what’s behind the stage persona?
A GENUIS! HaHa! I would have to say vulnerable guy… I never was a confident guy at all but you learn how to put a face on it. I suppose for me I found that learning to be comfortable with who I am was enough (well comfortable with what I understand at least) As far as being a puzzle I don’t really look at it that way.. In comedy it’s really important to connect with the crowd to give them an idea of who you are, however at the same time I think the moment they understand you completely is the moment you become predictable. I like to bring an element of surprise…

Seeing as it’s nearing Christmas,whats the best present you have ever been given?
When I was a kid, my Mam bought me a Superman outfit! I loved that thing so much I slept in it…. I envy youth!

What are your goals for the future?
I want to go on a quest for world domination and I want to go round getting every girl pregnant so I can patiently wait for 18 yrs. to take over the world with an army of mini me’s! Imagine that! Oh the HORROR! Comedy wise I want to play the Hammersmith Apollo in London, to have my own show in the Edinburgh Fringe festival and to also play Vicar Street!

It’s random question time Michael! You get….What’s your favourite quote?
After much deliberation Michael comes up with his own quote…”There’s madness in my method!”

So there ye have it! We have learned Michael has a childhood dream of being Superman and there may be an army of mini Michaels in the future…. are you ready for that?

You can befriend Michael on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=774335246, he won’t bite….much!