Life of comedians not all fun and games

Image courtesy of Sofia Bodniza

Sofia Galiano/Staff Writer

A recent study revealed comedians tend to have qualities linked to psychosis, and a University alumna pursuing acting and stand-up comedy can relate.

An online questionnaire by the University of Oxford tested to see if comedians resembled people in other creative fields by having a higher level of psychotic characteristics, and found comedians scored high in “introverted anhedonia and extraverted impulsiveness.”

The study attests to the idea that comedians are more inclined to be asocial, emotionally detached and impulsive.

“I would definitely say that comics have their wall up,” said Sofia Bodniza, previously a freshman hospitality major and comedy director for the Student Programming Council at Biscayne Bay Campus, before withdrawing from the University in spring 2013.

Since she started performing stand-up comedy on July 2013, Bodniza said the pressure to always be funny around people became evident, and this desire is what drives comedians to seek other’s approval.

However, being introverted and emotionally unavailable can benefit comedians since these qualities protect their egos while performing on stage.

A person pursuing comedy may know they have a talent to make others laugh, but the reassurance they crave comes from an audience full of chuckles and applause. Therefore, being distant with others or having an emotional wall up is necessary for comedians to thrive in their profession, according to Bodniza.

“I feel like a lot of comedians are insecure,” she said. “When we are on stage we are wanting people to validate us.”

William Berry M.A., adjunct for the Department of Psychology who teaches Theories of Personality, said he did not find the results of the study surprising.

Berry said comic relief is a common defense mechanism, used especially by comedians who make a living from telling jokes. He also said people of the same profession will share similar broad personality traits, as the research study suggests.

“I wouldn’t say it’s common sense, but it makes sense,” said Berry.

Berry said it is no surprise that comedians have a tendency to be impulsive.

Comedy relies on a person’s instinct to tell a punch line and good comedians have mastered this skill.“The funniest things are spontaneous,” he said.

Former Panther, Bodniza, said she does not identify with the study results personally, but she does see the resemblance in her comedian colleagues.

Bodniza said that her comedic mentor, James Davis, who performed at an SPC-BBC comedy show last semester, has admitted to being depressed.

She said comedians are vulnerable while performing on stage, but when it comes to confronting their emotions they display a steel wall.

“You have to go on stage and act like you don’t give a s***,” said Bodniza.

As the study results conclude, the strain of qualities found in comedians may contribute to their humor.

Bodniza said comics need to remove themselves from society to see things from the outside, and that is being antisocial. She also said having a unique outlook on life is vital for a successful comedian.

“I think good comedians are philosophers,” said Bodniza. However, she has found that a comedian who is content with life may lack creativity in their joke telling.

Bodniza said before embarking on her spiritual journey, she would draw inspiration for jokes from things that upset her.

However, she said the happier she is becoming, the less funny she is becoming.

“The funniest people are usually the saddest people,” said Bodniza.

-bbc@fiusm.com