American comedian Eddie Griffin wants to stream his shows online to increase comedians' income.
True-to-life American comedian Eddie Griffin flies to South Africa to make fans laugh at the Savannah/Showmax Laugh African Comedy Festival.
He spoke to The Citizen about his comedy journey, stage acting and why Mzansi is so special to him.
“I came to South Africa 27 years ago to shoot a movie called. blastand I stayed for three months, and now I'm back to bring comedy to people,” he says.
“This country has always had a special place in my heart. I love South Africans because they are all so beautiful and kind.”
The comedy festival had sold out shows each day. While Griffin is happy to be headlining the inaugural Laugh Africa Comedy Festival, he also says it's for his country.
Griffin, 55, has been in the comedy scene for more than 25 years and has appeared in numerous films including Armageddon and Deuce Bigalow.
He has been performing stand-up comedy and satire since 1989 and has an extensive filmography that includes live stand-up comedy shows, television and video music appearances.
As his career grew, so did the comedy industry.
A big part of this is the censorship of comedians, a topic widely discussed on social media where those who make audiences laugh are largely free to speak their minds.
The sold-out Savannah Showmax Laugh African Comedy Festival isn't just filled with celebrities.
Over 50 comedians entertain in three diverse genres: English, local languages and Afrikaans.
The festival was a melting pot of styles and experiences with popular local artists such as Tumi Morake, Alfred Adrian, Mashabela Galang and Chris Mapan.
Audiences lined up to enjoy their favorite comedians live. Griffin doesn't tailor his comedy set to the countries in which he performs.
Audiences receive the full Eddie experience wherever he performs.
“You’ll get it the same way you got it in America,” he says. “I wouldn't change anything. People are people, and the problems here will ultimately be the problems over there, because America is just that kind of country.”
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“If you're not funny, the audience will let you know, and if you can't book the gig, quit doing it,” he jokes. Explaining that the only way out is patience, do or die, he added:
“When I left home from Kansas City to Los Angeles, I just kept doing it.”
He admits that standing up to the Hollywood system means less work, and reiterates that comedians need to be more creative right now.
“We need to do more shows like this.” laugh out loudyou can stream it online and generate revenue from it, including merchandise and other things, and get a bigger audience.
“People don't watch TV like they used to, movie scenes are carried by streaming, and people prefer streaming for content.
We have to move from the age of dinosaurs to the future,” he says. Griffin says this isn't just affecting stand-up comedy.
He feels the music industry is changing due to streaming and people not buying CDs anymore. Being a father of 12 children has been one of Griffin's most rewarding experiences.
Although he is a very busy person, he makes time to take his children to extracurricular activities. “I had his first child at 16 and have been working hard ever since,” he says. “I have four adult children of his and three of his children in college, and I am an active participant in their lives.”
Those who couldn't make it to the show can still watch it on Showmax.