From the Class Clown to Headlining Comic: An Interview with Comedian Jim Mendrinos
Episode 31
From the Class Clown to Headlining Comic: An Interview with Comedian Jim Mendrinos
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with veteran comedian Jim Mendrinos about his decades-long career in stand-up comedy. Jim got his start doing stand-up in New York City during the 1980s comedy boom and has since headlined clubs and theaters across the country.
Finding His Comedic Voice
Jim traces his interest in comedy back to his childhood obsession with watching late night TV hosts like Johnny Carson. Seeing young comedians like Freddie Prinze perform stand-up on TV inspired Jim to try it himself. At first, Jim admits he relied too heavily on imitating his heroes, rather than finding his own voice. Over time and many hours of stage experience, he eventually embraced his natural talent for autobiographical storytelling.
According to Jim, great comedy requires making an emotional connection with the audience. He works hard to mine humor from personal experiences that audiences can relate to. This distinguishes his material and helps him avoid generic, observational jokes.
Lessons Learned from Early Struggles
In the early days, Jim recalls struggling through some challenging gigs, like having to stretch his short set to meet a 45 minute requirement. Experiences like this taught him the importance of meticulous preparation before each performance. To this day, he oversees every detail of his set list to ensure a smooth, polished show.
Bombing on stage is inevitable for every comedian, but Jim has developed coping strategies to bounce back. He focuses on his pre-planned “mission statement” for each set, like working on specific skills or stories. This prevents bombing from derailing his overall progress.
Evolution of Comedy in the Digital Age
Today’s stand-up landscape looks very different from when Jim started out. He acknowledges both the pros and cons of digital comedy platforms. While they provide more exposure for rising talents, jokes also live forever online.
Jim stresses that comics must evolve alongside changes in the art form and audience tastes. Rather than complaining about “cancel culture,” he believes comedians should accept accountability for their material and be willing to defend their choices.
No topic is off limits if you’re comfortable addressing it thoughtfully. Jim covers provocative subjects by emphasizing his own viewpoint rather than attacking others. He avoids deliberately offensive jokes just to get a reaction.
Keys to Success in Stand-up Comedy
For aspiring comedians, Jim emphasizes the importance of writing every day and getting as much stage time as possible. You need to put in the work off stage in order to earn your time on stage.
He also recommends seeking outside feedback from mentors and peers. Having an objective eye examine your material can reveal blind spots and areas for improvement. Don’t be afraid to invest in your comedy education.
What’s Next for Jim Mendrinos
Catch Jim’s latest special “Not Dead Yet” on Amazon Video to see his comedic storytelling in action. He’s currently developing new theatrical productions to reach larger audiences. Jim is also co-owner of the County Diner comedy club in Newark, NJ, which provides a venue for rising talents.
Jim enjoys meeting fans and offering advice to up-and-comers. Reach out to him on social media to find out where he’s performing next!
For any aspiring comedians looking to break into stand-up, be sure to check out these great online resources:
- Mr. Open Mic – Find online open mics.
- Joke Zoom – Get comedy writing feedback
- Comedy Trade School – Online education for comedians
