Comedy open-mic newbie David Leon's tips for even newer stand-ups

With a persona that seems to demand as much from his manic inner sixth-grader as it does from his comedic wit, it’s hard to believe that Madison's David Leon is still pretty new to stand-up. Whether the joke touches on Mortal Kombat, Lunchables, or Leon’s deep passion for twirling his own mustache, his sets speak loudly to both the yearning sentimentalist and inner creep. Leon got his start about seven months ago at the Comedy Club On State’s Wednesday-night open-mic, and continues to perform there frequently. In addition to appearing regularly at the Big Deuce, Leon will be performing with fellow local comics Nick Hart, Stefan Davis, and Ryan Casey this Thursday at The Argus, in a show dubbed "The Isthmians Of Comedy." As the Big Deuce tempts more and more first-time comedians to try their luck each week, The A.V. Club asked Leon to offer a few pointers that may or may not involve a Go-GURT facial.

Take notes
David Leon: I write every Monday. But I always keep my phone on me, and throughout the week, I’ll jot down random ideas. It may be something that happens all the time. Sometimes it’s just a random spurt. Um, here are two ideas that I have written down. [At this point, Leon pulls out his cell phone and shows The A.V. Club a list of potential joke ideas that include “male frog’s sex life” and “gay guys ahead of the sexual curve.”] I like to take these odds and ends and find some sort of connection. For instance, one day I was sitting on my porch and I asked myself, “What looks a lot like a dick? A banana! What eats bananas? Monkeys, of course!” And then I came up with a joke about how the only way I’d have a monkey suck my dick was if I had an uncircumcised penis, because then it could be peeled back like a banana. I really just prey on people’s weird sides. Sure, I’ll get a laugh if I tell an innocent joke about Lunchables. But, if I talk about how eating a Go-GURT is like getting a facial, people go crazy.

Avoid clichés
DL: I feel that some comedians think there are safety subjects that they can hit. The most redundant one is probably masturbation. That’s the one topic that will always get a reaction. But really, masturbation is fucking hilarious. I’d love to flip through a catalog of faces, actions, traditions, and rituals when it comes to masturbation.

Grow silly facial hair
DL: Out of all the jokes I’ve kept around, the mustache bits are some of my favorites. [For example: “Because of my mustache, I no longer check out girls based on whether or not they’re attractive, but instead on how good they’ll look tied to a railroad track.”] Originally, I had grown a mustache out for my girlfriend, and also just to see if I was capable. And you know, I don’t hate it. I kind of like it, and I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not. Admittedly, it’s a nice way for me to stick out. It’s funny to have people recognize me and go “Hey, funny mustache guy!” At least they aren’t saying “chubby.”

If a joke bombs, act fast
DL: Being adamant about your delivery is important. If a crowd sees you walking in front of people and hold a mic without shaking, that confidence can really go a long way to inflate the other aspects of your performance. When a comedian tells a joke and no one laughs, he can either shrug it off and go “Gee, when I was alone in my room writing this, naked, it was hilarious”—which usually gets an immediate laugh in itself—or he can keep kicking a dead horse. Once in a while something good can come out of this kind of persistence, but generally, if people aren’t with you on the first page, they don’t want to hear page 11.