The Funniest Semi-Finalists in Austin: FPIA Round One Recaps (Part 5)
Ramin Nazer
Was this your first year competing in FPIA?
It's my fourth time doing it. It's like stand-up comedy New Year’s for Austin. You reassess where you're at in your "career" and it gives a lot of people who have been struggling at the end of open mic lists a chance to shine on the big stage in front of a sold out crowd.
What was your preliminary round like?
Nothing too exciting. The only thing that was memorable was this guy, John Wilkerson, who has schizophrenia and sings/raps over beats on his keyboard. A lot of people may see it as the ramblings of a crazy person, but I think in 2012 when our Reptilian Overlords reveal themselves and a new cycle of existence begins, we'll realize that what he was saying had great, prophetic meaning.
Any predictions for the finals?
No.
What do you imagine holding the title of FPIA is like?
It's really great ego-wise, because you don’t have to do the contest anymore, you get your photo on the wall, and you're recognized as an FPIA Champion from then on. Whereas if you get second (I got second last year, just thought I should plug that in there. One more time for SEO: Ramin Nazer, Second Funniest Person in Austin 2010), no one remembers that. Which makes sense, because at one point we were all first-place sperms. What happened to the second-place sperms? Even the biggest losers we've encountered in life were all first-place sperms.
Ramin performs in the semifinals on Tuesday, May 10 at 8 pm
Carey Denise
Was this your first year competing in FPIA?
No. This is the middle of my fifth year of comedy, and my sixth contest.
What was your preliminary round like?
My preliminary round had many really talented people in it. There was more than one person in that round who did not advance who is funny enough that they should be in the semifinals.
Any predictions for the Finals?
I think the heaviest hitters in this contest are: Nick Mullen, Dave Evans, Ramin Nazer, Chris Cubas, Andy Ritchie and Matt Willis. I believe the top three could be any combination of people from that group. However, this has been a really unpredictable year and there's not one really stand out choice like there has been in previous years. With just a five-minute set to judge from, the title really could go to anyone. I think Brian Gaar and Lashonda Lester are two to watch out for this year. Brian Gaar is one of my favorite comics. He is likeable and effortlessly funny and has continued to steadily improve and perfect. Lashonda is one of the funniest people I have met in real life and her comedy has gotten even sharper and than it was before. Her prelim set was one of the best set I've seen in the contest this far.
What do you imagine holding the title of FPIA is like?
I don't really think about what it would be like after winning. I just want to win it.
Carey performs in the semifinals on Tuesday, May 10 at 8 pm
Chris Trew
Was this your first year competing in FPIA?
It was my second! I did it in 2009 as well.
What was your preliminary round like?
I felt like it could not have gone any better.
Any predictions for the Finals?
My prediction is that I'll finish in 3rd place and when the announcement is made for 2nd and 1st place the building will have already cleared and the parade for my 3rd place finish will be in full effect somewhere near 1819 Rosewood.
What do you imagine holding the title of FPIA is like?
For a lot of people I imagine it's a lot like Kanyon holding the WCW Television title. For me it would be more like Chris Jericho being the first undisputed champion (WWE and WCW).
Chris performs in the semifinals on Tuesday, May 10 at 8 pm
