Q&A With Louisville Comedian Jamie Utley

by Nathan Alexander

Jamie Utley will be headlining this weekend at The Caravan Comedy Club in Louisville! Tickets are available here for shows Thursday, March 23 – Saturday, March 25. Jamie is a seasoned professional and has been making audiences laugh for over a decade. He was kind enough to answer some questions from Louisville Laughs.

Louisville Laughs: You’ve toured on the Monsters of Comedy tour with Ralphie May and Jim Breuer, appeared on The Bob and Tomu show, Fridays with Jim Breuer on Sirius XM, and starred on Laughs on Fox. What has it been like to work with such established names in the comedy world?

Jamie Utley: Oh man. I have been so lucky to work with so many that it’s almost surreal at times. Getting to hang out with your heroes is an unbelieveable experience. I don’t think I can put it into words.

How long have you been a comedian? How has your style changed over the years?

I’m not exactly sure how long but I’m estimating 15 years or so. I’m not really sure how my style has changed with the exception of continuously trying to cut out unnecessary words and jokes. I strive to be true to myself and about myself.

What hobbies and interests do you have outside of comedy?

I collect vintage toys from the 70’s and have a vintage Garelli moped as well as an early 80’s pinball machine and Pac Man machine. I’m really into everything from the 70’s and 80’s.

Did you get your start in Louisville?

Yes, I did. I was fortunate enough to start during the Tom Sobel years.

Do you remember a specific instance when you realized you wanted to pursue a career as a standup comedian?

Right before I called the club and asled how to become a comic I went to a show. Emcee didn’t have a great set and I looked up at him and new I could do better than what he was doing that night. All I ever wanted was to be an emcee on a weekend show. That’s it. That was my entire goal. Everything else has been the cherry to top.

You joke about your “dysfunctional family”, your journey with sobriety, and personal relationships in your act. Do you think comedy helps you process and understand life as it happens?

I don’t know that it’s helped. I’ve done so much of it that sometimes the line gets blurred and I can’t tell which Jamie is the real Jamie. There came a point where I became more comfrotable in front of a crowd of 300 than I am one on one with people I’ve known for years.

What’s the best advice you ever got in your comedy career?

There’s been so much. The best I didn’t follow was don’t fight on facebook. I used to get in a lot of fights on facebook. I talk about it in my act. Some are “Always pee before you go on stage.” Learn to work clean first. You’re the talent, don’t let clubs make you feel like they’re doing you a favor. Another big one was don’t let people haggle over merch prices.

What has been your comedy highlight so far?

They keep coming. I recently made the room explode at Comedy Off Broadway just by giving a look. That’s my most recent but I guess over all would have to be the Monster’s of Comedy. I guess I peaked early.

What is your comedy horror story?

Cocoa Beach. St. Patrick’s Day weekend there was a drunk heckler woman that I couldn’t defend against because she blurted something out as I went in to every line. Finally I stopped and yelled “Lady would you shut up? I’m trying to tell some jokes!” She yelled back “You need help,” and I yelled, “You’re the reason I need help”. Then her husband rushed the stage. Grant Lyon jumped up and saved the day as the audience had the lady on the floor and they were literally dragging her out as she was screaming and kicking. The venue did NOTHING to stop what was going on and the manager made the whole thing seem like it was my fault to cover up that he wouldn’t police the room. It was terrible.

What’s on your comedy bucket list? Who are some people you’d like to work with in the future?

Brett Butler is on my bucket list. I believe she’ll be back on the road some day.