Hi, I know I'm submitting a fairly unorthodox post, but I just wanted to get something off my chest. I was watching Conan O'Brian and in his monologue he said something along the lines of 'you don't need a college degree to do most jobs...you don't need a college degree to do my job'. I found that statement quite strange considering his Harvard background most certainly helped him make big strides in his career. Is a strong academic education beneficial for a good comedy career?
I'm a university student living in the UK interested in pursuing a comedy career after I complete my degree. I have a lot of confidence in my own ability and believe that the sky's the limit, however on statistical/historical evidence, I find that my path may have a few extra obstacles compared to some others looking forward to a comedy career themselves.
I've only recently developed a keen interest in a comedy career, perhaps in writing or acting, however I am already in the middle of my college studies, studying Biochemistry at University of St Andrews. I was like 'Right, this career isn't something I really want to do for the rest of my life, I want to do something else' so I looked to comedy. I do a bit of theatre when I can and I'm part of a sketch comedy troupe at university where I write and act, and I also do improv whenever I can find time.
Ultimately, I wish to enter a career in comedy television/film after doing a few stand-up circuits but in the current climate in the UK, this is quite difficult for people who didn't go to Oxford or Cambridge. Let me explain; the most popular comedy shows in the UK consist of panel shows and single camera comedies. If you look at the comedians currently well known for their roles in these shows, they are mainly Oxbridge alumnus.
Here are a list of comedians in the UK from Oxbridge off the top of my head: Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry, Richard Ayoade, Jimmy Carr, David Mitchell, Robert Webb, John Oliver, Sacha Baron Cohen, Rowan Atkinson, John Cleese...endless.
Most of these guys went to Cambridge Footlights as well.
Likewise, in the US, you'll find a few of the big comedy actors/writers having a strong education, notably from NYU or Harvard: Conan, BJ Novak, Greg Daniels, David Cohen, Ellie Kemper, Colin Jost etc.
Yeah fine, you could say that comedians do need a good ability to formulate witty thoughts constantly and need a high level of intellect. Most of these guys do have 'above average' intelligence. But the thing that confuses me is how it seems that everything seems to be handed on a plate to them. Graduate from Cambridge after doing a stint with the Footlights, you will probably pave the way to success in the comedy market in the UK. Graduate from Harvard after a stint with the Lampoon, your comedy writing/acting paths are endless (esp. for The Daily Show and SNL).
I'm not intending to be bitter (I'm not surprised that execs pick the top uni grads), or trying to find an excuse if my comedy aspirations completely fail, but it seems like the Oxbridge/Harvard group are a step ahead.
What do you guys think?