My First Joke

My First Joke
Podcast Description
Every great laugh starts with one brave joke. Join host Karim Kanji on *My First Joke*, where comedians share the hilarious, awkward, and inspiring stories behind their first time on stage. From bombing to bringing the house down, we dig into the journeys of today’s funniest people. Whether you’re a comedy superfan or just need a good laugh, this podcast delivers punchlines, backstage stories, and plenty of laughs along the way. Tune in and find out where the funny begins!
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on the personal and comedic journeys of various comedians, highlighting themes such as the fear of performing, memorable first gigs, and the evolution of their comedic style. Episodes include stories from both emerging and established comedians, covering moments of failure and triumph, such as a comedian's first experience bombing or successfully making an audience laugh.

Every great laugh starts with one brave joke. Join host Karim Kanji on *My First Joke*, where comedians share the hilarious, awkward, and inspiring stories behind their first time on stage. From bombing to bringing the house down, we dig into the journeys of today’s funniest people. Whether you’re a comedy superfan or just need a good laugh, this podcast delivers punchlines, backstage stories, and plenty of laughs along the way. Tune in and find out where the funny begins!
The final episode of Season One centered around Keith Bender's journey in comedy and his experiences as a performer. Keith reflected on his early influences, including his upbringing as the class clown and the encouragement he received from a co-worker to pursue comedy. He shared the challenges he faced in tough venues, emphasizing the importance of delivery and confidence in eliciting laughter.
In this episode, Keith recounted a specific joke that resonated with audiences, highlighting the difference between written material and live performance. He also discussed his preparation for shows, particularly on cruise ships, where he tests and refines his material with diverse audiences.
Host Karim Kanji describes a troubling encounter at Wal-Mart where an Asian man yelled at a Muslim woman, prompting him to reflect on the irony of two individuals from different backgrounds confronting each other about their place in society.
Keith Bender recounted a significant experience in his comedy career where he was upgraded from emcee to feature performer for a two-man show with D.L. Hughley. He emphasized the importance of learning from performances and contests, highlighting how recording himself helped him identify areas for improvement. Bender also expressed a desire to perform in larger venues and on television.

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