Simon's to do list
- Have another successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this August. I hope to have a decent number of people attend the show each night and aim to receive some good reviews.
- I aim to keep gigging after Edinburgh (as I am doing now), but perform more regularly.
- I also aim to start work on new material for next year.
- I aim to begin working towards a 2009 Edinburgh show early. I hope to perform in one of the top comedy venues, (Pleasance, Underbelly, Guilded Balloon...) This depends on finances.
- I hope to get the occasional 'big gig'. For example, I would relish the opportunity to perform in a theatre in front of a large audience.
- In general, I aim to become an established comedian. I want to have my own website, and hope to become a 'known name' in the comedy circuit. I also aim to be signed to a top comic agency.
Where Simon's at
Last updated: 24/06/2008
My name is Simon Jenkins. I’m a 20 old student originally from Portsmouth. When I came to University in Kingston I was introduced to a local comedy club. This club effectively changed my life. After seeing top comedians perform there each week, I got a great interest in the writing and performing of comedy. I enrolled on a stand-up comedy course and performed my first gig in November 2007. The feeling I got from performing material in front of a room (of only 6 drunk people) was awesome. Now, only eight months later, I’m co-running ‘Outside the Box Comedy’ in Kingston. In addition I’m performing several gigs a month and constantly adapting and writing my material. My main influence on the comedy circuit is Michael Macintyre. For me there’s no one better than him in terms of his delivery.
My dream is to become a full time comedian. The thought of working a ‘9-5 job’ in an office makes me cringe. If someone had to sit near me in an office they would want to inflict serious physical harm to me within the first hour. I’m not satisfied unless I’m writing comedy and making people laugh at my jokes that I’ve written (usually with a pen… maybe a pencil – preferably HB). I’ve found my passion in life (That sounds cheesy).
Yeh so all im trying to say is that there is no easy way of becoming an established comedian, it takes hard work and dedication. I didnt have social life when i started and mine isnt great now but im earning enough money to pay for house and car and treat myself every now and again. The point im making is that in my humble opinion that comedy classes arnt a great idea. Mainly because you cant creat your own identity as a stand up if your conforming to a list of things. You imagine you have 30 comedians who have received comedy lessons and 30 that havent. The thirty comedians that have had the lessons will be slightly different but will be the same technicly and they will be very similar as to how they act on stage and how they think. The thirty that didnt get taught will be different from each other because theyve picked up most of it themselves and they done things differently in how they act walk and talk when they are on stage, they will also be lookin at what they feel is funny not what somebody else thinks is funny!!!
I think all you need is to work harder and get more stage time. Youve got the fringe cumin up so you really need to pull ya finga out!!! Im saying this for your benefit not mine. Your already proved you are ok as comedian as you got through to the comedy store, shows you have a degree of talent.You really need to work for it and no amount of comedy classes is goin to help you if you dont put enough into your writing and performing...
Just one more thing i can think of.. You mentioned a joke in your story of'' a man walked into a bar right,and he had quite a few pints. Went home and beat up his wife'' there was a reason why those people didnt laught in leeds is because it isnt funny thats the only major problem some things you have done just arnt funny. Even when i wrote them down it didnt look good on paper. But apart from that dont give up !!! James
James (5 days ago) Report Comment
Hia, my m8 said about u wantin to become an established act on the circuit. Well power to you m8 for goin 4 it. Iv watched your videos and iv read the comments that people have left and iv read your blogs, wateva is on this site which tells me a lil bit abour you i have read. Before i go id like to tell you a lil about me(sorry its so long....). Since i was 13 all iv wanted to do was perform stand up, and thanks to people like lee evans, billy connely they showed me the way. During the 6th form or yrs 12 and 13 or wateva u call it these days i started to perform at local clubs. Over the two years i probably did about 30 gigs which isnt alot. On finishing school i performed a few more gigs then studied at Bristol University. So decided to focus on my course and gave up stand up. 3 years later towards the end of my course the most shocking things happend. A boy from my year in school died in a car crash. He went to Uni and was just one of these ppl who was goin 2 do gr8 things. This made me reflect on my own life. Start thinkin lifes to short and iv always wanted to stand up so once iv finished il give it a propa go!!! I passd my course and soon bagan writin and performin. My first 5 open mic spots went really well. Started to think i had cracked comedy. Well my next gig was a local gig and i died a great death on stage. and just walked off scared. That feelin is so undescribable. There are only 2 things you do in that situation, you either say well that was bloody horrible and im goin to try my hardest to make sure that it neva happens again or you just think that, this is awfull, neva gettin on stage again!!! Well that was enoug to make me work harder as a result i ended winnin a televised competition. Ever since that moment iv bin doin 300 plus gigs each year for the last 6 years. after 3 years i started gettin payed gigs. That was all down to me working my absolute nut off trying to accomplish a dream. ( there more to come in another comment ).
James (5 days ago) Report Comment
I hope 2 be up there this year, to watch iv only bin doin stand up 4 a 2nrly 3 months... just wanna have look around and hav a gd crack like who u performing with this yr ?
Gagz (39 days ago) Report Comment
Simon Jenkins (41 days ago) Report Comment
R u at the fringe this yr ?
Gagz (42 days ago) Report Comment
Simon Jenkins (57 days ago) Report Comment
I think you are funny Simon... Were you trying to be funny or really cut up about your mum... Pathos is always funny... The funniest things come when we are hurt... Laughing is how I deal with my pain anyway... and you were funny... If you can deal with any pain you could tap into those feelings... it might be cathartic (bless freud... Freud - he wrote a joke book you know!)
Lydia Stevenson (58 days ago) Report Comment
Hia, Si... looks like ur doing a great job!! so where will u perform now u have finished OTB ? Hope everything is goin gd !!! BTW ur getting well better !!!
Gagz (63 days ago) Report Comment
Hia simon, my names John and i work for a London based talent agency which works with comedians covering the UK,Australia and the US three of the hottest area's for any comedian.
First things first... From viewing all your videos you seem to want an agent as soon as. To get a half decent agent you need to show potential. You have it but need to work on your material and you need to be in demand which is where the ''agent'' comes in.
Youve only just started to do stand up so i would recommend that you dont worry about an agent for a while yet. Lee Evans one of Britains top comedians was on the circuit for 6 years before hitting the big time and getting an agent. He is not one of our performers which is a shame but the point im trying to make is that all the fame and things doesnt come over night it takes hard work and dedication.
So dont give up just yet, but at the same time dont put all your eggs in to one basket and make stand up your only option when you leave uni as a few years down the line you may find that stand up is not bringing in any income or your not getting noticed you want to have a back up plan.
All your other goals sound good and achievable!!!
Goal number four, you worried about finances... well you need to try, and i know its hard during this economical down turn, but get a job. You will find that it will help you to perform more as you can afford to go to all these places you wish to perform.
One extra goal i would recommend for you is that you try and its what every comedian tries to do is gradually get more laughs the more you perform!!!
Sounds silly but i have looked on your myspace page and you have recorded some of your gigs... Try to do this more often so that you can see what audiences like and dislike so that you can edit a performance or if you notice that something works, for god sake stick with it. Dont throw away any material just work on it because it is so competitive on the british circuit that it is costly to waste ideas,
John (68 days ago) Report Comment
Hey Simon.
Your really not that funny my friend. But you never know as Butlins are looking for rubbish acts. Give it a look and good luck.
simple simon (114 days ago) Report Comment
Hey Simon!
I caught you on the Year Dot TV show the other day. Judging by the videos, you're a likeable guy, so I hope it all goes well for you. Just remember that you'll have to keep working at it - I reckon you've already improved loads since the beginning of the Year Dot project, so keep at it! xx
Tammy (120 days ago) Report Comment
Doing well Simon - I think you have the most important ingredient in all of this - energy. Without that there is little hope for anyone with some ambition.
Liam Young (122 days ago) Report Comment
Hey Simon,
Just watched your YearDot episode from this week.
Can't believe you got ousted by Robin Williams! Haha! But the exposure you received from the Graham Norton Show was much greater! Lots of people will know of you now, I'm sure you've had more gigs!
I think you've come a long way in your YearDot journey and will continue to.
I think you're great and really funny and I look forward to you seeing you live someday.
Stephen (127 days ago) Report Comment
I don't think any 'top comedy agents' would actually be interested in the highly indistinctive, rather dull and hopelessly unfunny Mr Jenkins. Although that said, all power to you for chasing the dream but there may come a time when you realise, it's time to call it a day. There's a slightly unpleasant whiff of arrogance that puts me off too
Sasha (128 days ago) Report Comment
i can't believe you are still trying to be a comic, i saw you six months ago and you weren't funny then and you aren't funny now. what happen to your mate from the edinburgh festival he was the second worst comic behind you.
jp (129 days ago) Report Comment
Simon Jenkins (129 days ago) Report Comment
hey, Simon.
You seem like a nice guy so i'm loath to be too cutting in my analysis. I think your dedication to comedy is amirable and you should keep going for it as long as it makes you happy. To me you seem to worry too much about what would be a "funny thing to say", and less on the context, delivery and timing. Obvious but i think you'll agree, bloody esential aspects of comedy. You also seem to create obsurdity inside what seems to start as straight observational comedy. Your own versions of a funnier reality within something that everybody can identify with, therefore losing the audience as they fail to digest the witty remark when it doesn't link with the familiar scene u initialy created. There is not always potential where there is over-riding desire, unfortunately, none of us can know if we are flogging a dead horse.. least of all me. I wish you every sucsess, dude.
NOel (129 days ago) Report Comment
Simon Jenkins (129 days ago) Report Comment
hai si!
first of all, well done for getting as far as you have! I was in my college class watching your set and there are a few that have actually seen you perform in my class!
your going to go far, keep it up :)
xox
Ashleigh McGregor (129 days ago) Report Comment
hi sorry not being harsh but from what i saw i didnt think you were very funny at all , you need to work really hard on all aspects of ur act!
stephen martin (129 days ago) Report Comment
ello, your so funnin and gd lookin, if only your where gay :) all the best :) xxx
jake (129 days ago) Report Comment
beef stew... done
your career...done
jimmy j (129 days ago) Report Comment
Hi Simon
Just wait it out - you WILL be a big name in comedy, your standup is GREAT :)
You remind me of Russell Howard and Noel Fielding, very spontaneous-sounding, slightly ranty comedy. It's amazing anyway. keep it upp :D
Charlie (129 days ago) Report Comment
LoveYhoo :)
U r exceedingly Funny" Like Mr Kiplings cakes ;]
Keep It up :)
MuchLove
xx
Prabjot_x (140 days ago) Report Comment
hi Simon just seen your blog, i think your going to make it bigg mate.
i love stand up comics and i think you have whats it takes mate. iam from the north east of england and its hard up here forstand up's as the crowd wont let anything go. so i think you would do well..
paul 43yrs
paul (142 days ago) Report Comment
i watched you on t.v today and i think you are great you shud keep up with wot you are doing (its great) x x
jemma (144 days ago) Report Comment
Alrite, i saw the last minute of the channel 4 programme and headed straight 4 here 2 find out more about u.
WOW uv accomplished alot in the two or less years uv bin doin stand up.
I also love stand up. Bin watchin comedians 4 the last 5 years, and really wana start doing it. If search on facebook u will find load of clubs with open mic spots jus 2 get stage time.
Il proz start writing later this year... got few health problems and that has really motivated me, also seeing all of this about u has bin a real insperation, i think you already living the dream.
would like 2 meet u, sound pretty cool and u have done really well 4 yourself !!! all the best and keep on performing ...
gareth (150 days ago) Report Comment
hey
i thought u were really good.
i think you will be really big one day. well done for how far uve come already.
kasha (150 days ago) Report Comment
your funny
chazi (150 days ago) Report Comment
Hey brother, u suck as a comidian... thats the truth...
But your tsunami story is amazing...! Cant believe u survived it... It must of been really hard to not be able to help.
Luiz,... (150 days ago) Report Comment
i thought you were really good and also similar to russell howard. i think you're going to be big. x
rachel (150 days ago) Report Comment
Hey i loved your comedy and im only 14! i thought you were great keep it up and you wil be bigger than the top comedians!
Jordan (150 days ago) Report Comment
Just watched you on T.V and thought I would leave a comment to say that I think you are an amazing comedian! Would love to see you live :) x
Regan (150 days ago) Report Comment
Hi this is weird your on my tv right now but can i say your a fantastic comedian(my sort of comic)
like russell howard so keep it going and if your ever in liverpool i will look out for your gig. Have fun and Peace with a fleece (its cold)
Matt (150 days ago) Report Comment
heyy darling
im watching you on telly now, i think your amazing,keep it up, hopefully see you sooon somewhere :)
btw your gorgeouss :P
stephhh (150 days ago) Report Comment
Hey I literally just watched you on TV when you had your 2 minute comedy session and I thought u went pretty well. I don't know if it's just me, but I laughed anyway!! Keep going with it. Practise can only make things perfect (Y). Good luck and I hope you persue your dream x
pip (150 days ago) Report Comment
Social networking is the basis of promoting success in life. believe it or not, people play a very big part in the decisions you make in the future; mainly through positive or negative influence. comedians should network with others in the same field, especially from different countries, people different people offer differents views and opinions, which could have a decding factor in what you think is best for your career as a comedian. Moral of the story, open yourself up to any person, you'll be suprised at what they have to offer!
Marilyn reveret (155 days ago) Report Comment
Hey mate, I really liked your set. It would be wicked if you were doing the chortle awards in Southampton. When is your next gig?
Dave Chawner (156 days ago) Report Comment
With user numbers for MySpace alone having reached over 100 million, social network sites represent a ready-made & extremely easy way for anyone to enage with much bigger audiences. There are many comedians on MySpace with their own profiles, so check them out as well as several agencies that keep MySpace profiles to help promote themselves within the community. The best way is to contact them directly and ask them to check you out. Keep up the good work Simon !!
Luke Mose (161 days ago) Report Comment
Social networking sites are not only a great way to poke people without getting punched in the eyes, they're also a great gateway to people you wouldn't nessecarily be able to get into contact with. When I first started out as a wannabe journo I was struggling to find household names that didn't have me on some sort of register, and so I turned my efforts to Myspace. It means you can talk directly to the celebrity without trying to get past their agent like a level of super mario, and you can also check when your message has been read by the other person to determine whether they're busy or just plain ignorant. There are several comedy clubs and agencies that keep myspaces for promotional purposes and they're usually run by someone in the company, so your best bet is to contact them directly and ask them to check you out. Being moderately hilarious in your message always helps (even more so if you're a comedian) because a sense of humour can get you some places that talent can't.
Amanda Gardner (163 days ago) Report Comment
Simon should get as many of his (good) gigs videoed as possible and put them on youtube, myspace, facebook. He should set up a 'fan page' on facebook with pictures, videos and a blog and publicise his work through that. He should also create events listing where he is performing to make sure people come along.
He could also do worse than put his videos on the website 'funny or die'. It has the right sort of audience for him and is useful for feedback.
Matthew Rose (178 days ago) Report Comment
Simon is pretty lazy i think. it takes a while to get an agent and he thinks he can get one just like that! he needs to get out and do more gigs, it's the only way to improve and build a fan base. Eventually, he will be scouted. Get on MySpace Comedy too, you can reach a lot of people that way.
Ruth Warren (179 days ago) Report Comment
Simon needs to start thinking carefully about how he uses his time properly. maybe he should get people to comment on his gags - leaving jokes and one liners here or on his myspace page. he could eventually have a whole set rated and reviewed by his public then release a podcast to everyone or a little snippet so people can start listening to him...
Gavin (193 days ago) Report Comment