Ghanaian Comedians are Not Funny – Tommy Annan Forson

Three personalities whose names always come up as far as stand-up comedy is concerned are Mr. Fritz Baffour, Kwaku Sintim-Misa aka KSM, and Tommy Annan Forson. It appears these three revered personalities have a very high making scheme when it comes to standup comedy for the new-age comedians.

In a chat with ‘Razz’ newspaper, Uncle Tommy stated “Generally, I don’t find Ghanaian comedians funny. I don’t! What most of them are doing is not comedy. I’m sorry but this is the hard truth.”

He continued: “What they are doing is ‘concert’ or ‘…’ or something I don’t even know the right words to use to describe it (pauses) …I think they can do way better than this.”

He explained that comedy is a very difficult field and required deep thinking, research, rehearsals, mentoring, and smartness, “Look, I have my litmus test I use in knowing my audience mood – and that is, the first lines I give. Once the audience do not laugh, I know their mood and quickly change my act and sharpen whatever I say next. (Laughs).”

He advised the current comedians to learn to be able to think off their feet on state, read audience mood, research, and churn out consistently excellent jokes – not the nine-day wonder’ jokes or recycled ones.

Bemoaning the situation, he said, “Not long ago, I heard DKB performed well and people are so happy. It’s great but it should not end there. My question is, next time when he is given another chance, would he impress?

Consistency is Key. Funny Face started on a very good note, today where is he? I’m not seeing him and it worries me because I’ve coached him before. Consistency is Key in whatever we do.”

For the first time, Tommy Annan Forson also expressed his disappointment at Charterhouse for always contracting Nigerian comedians for the ‘1000 Laughs & Music’ shows held in Ghana.

“True, the Nigerian guys are doing well but I don’t get it – why we should always leave our own for them. I don’t find our comedians funny but charity begins at home. Once Chapter house keeps going in for the Nigerians, we must examine ourselves as a people!”

“It means there is something wrong with ours. Something is definitely wrong somewhere! The fact that I don’t find our comedians generally funny does not mean I don’t love them. I’m only throwing a challenge to them to raise the bar and yearn for excellence and not be complacent with the little applause they are getting now.”

Asked which of the current comedians he believes are very good in their comedy act, Uncle Tom said: “I like DKB and James Brown. Even with them (heaves a deep sigh of relief) it can get better. There is more work to be done. The future looks bright.