Jamar Neighbors Trained to be a Clown

Episode Summary

Main Topics

This episode delves into comedian Jamar Neighbors' unexpected and unique journey into formal clown training. The discussion explores his initial flirtation with the idea of clowning at age 15, contrasting it with stand-up, and his eventual decision in 2018 to attend "the clown school." The core themes revolve around the distinct philosophy of clowning, emphasizing physical comedy, embracing mistakes as humor, and the methods used to cultivate an individual's "inner clown," challenging conventional notions of what makes something funny.

Key Discussion Points

• The Path to Clown School: Jamar Neighbors recounts how the idea of clowning first crossed his mind at 15 as an alternative to stand-up, hearing about a clown school in San Francisco. This interest resurfaced significantly in 2018 when he found himself with ample free time and a friend encouraged him to take a class. He found himself enrolled in "the clown school," noting his unique position as one of the few, if not the only, Black individuals represented on their website.
• Finding Your Inner Clown: The school's primary objective, according to Jamar, is to help students discover what inherently makes them funny, essentially "finding their inner clown." This process is described as a journey of self-discovery where teachers guide individuals to tap into their natural silliness and comedic essence, rather than teaching specific routines. The concept posits that everyone possesses an inherent, comedic inner clown waiting to be unleashed.
• The Doc Martens Incident and Clown Purity: A memorable first-day anecdote involves Jamar wearing maroon Doc Martens, which the clown teacher immediately requested he remove. Jamar reflects that the teacher likely perceived this as disrespectful to the art of clowning, believing he thought big shoes were the essence of a clown, thus acting as a "clown purist" who takes the craft very seriously and disdains superficial representations like oversized footwear or rubber noses.
• The "10 Funny Ways" Assignment: The inaugural assignment required students to "come through this door 10 funny ways." Jamar describes experimenting with various physical approaches, including crawling, spinning, and hopping backward "like a kangaroo." He notes the class encouraged freedom and lack of limitation, highlighting how other students performed effectively and that the instructors value unconventional and even accidental humor in these exercises.
• Philosophy of Clown Humor: A central tenet discussed is that "the wrong answers are what's funny" in clowning. Humor is derived from mistakes, accidents, and unexpected physical mishaps, rather than perfectly executed gags. The red nose, often associated with clowns, is explained not as a funny prop in itself, but as an item that helps put the performer in the "spirit of being a clown" and embracing silliness, contrasting with the teacher's purist view on the Doc Martens.

Notable Moments

• Interesting Story/Anecdote: Jamar vividly describes walking into his first clown class wearing maroon Doc Martens, only for the teacher to instantly demand he take them off. He deduced the teacher likely viewed this as an insult to the art form, suggesting he thought clowns were merely defined by oversized shoes.
• Surprising Fact/Revelation: The most insightful revelation was the philosophy that "the wrong answers are what's funny" in clowning. This concept explains that true clown humor stems from physical accidents and imperfections, making the art form about embracing mistakes rather than striving for flawlessness.
• Memorable Exchange: During the "come through the door 10 funny ways" assignment, the host jokingly asked Jamar if he ever came through naked. Jamar responded by noting that the school encouraged such freedom, implying that if one wanted to do something like that, they wouldn't be limited.

Key Takeaways

Listeners will gain a unique insight into the unconventional world of clown training, learning that it is an art form deeply rooted in self-discovery and embracing imperfection. The episode highlights that genuine clown humor often springs from mistakes and physical mishaps, challenging the common perception of planned comedic acts. It underscores the idea that everyone has an "inner clown" and that the craft is about liberating that natural silliness. Jamar's personal experiences, from the strict "clown purist" teacher to the freedom of physical expression, offer a fresh perspective on a rarely discussed comedic discipline.