Irvine says comedy has its ups, downs

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Bo Irvine, one of the comics scheduled to appear at Saturday's "Make Me Laugh!" concert, is still making people laugh at 52. 'Make Me Laugh!' A comedy concert featuring Bo Irvine 9 p.m. Saturday; doors open 8:15 p.m. South Sea Village, Hawaiian Hut, on the grounds of the Ala Moana Hotel $20 general, $15 advance 735-0292, ext. 206 Also featuring: Mel Cabang, Da Braddahs (Tony Silva and James Roache), Bula'ia, Jaz Kaner, with Pipi and Jeff Kino co-hosting

Find a day job. Don't leave it. Do comedy on the side.

"I have not quit my day job, a bit of advice from many a comedian, because it's really tough to make people laugh," he said.

At 52, he ought to know.

"I'm one of the old goats, but I've done comedy all over the country, but only on the side. I was with the fire department for 20 years, and left that job for the Marine base, where I am now director of occupational health and safety. But the day job, which requires travel at least once a month, provides me the chance to release some stress with occasional gigs."

Irvine has seen comedy clubs come and go — and come again. Right now, there is a ripple — not yet quite a tidal wave — of comedy action in Honolulu.

"It was like the Mojave Desert," he said of the dry spell.

"But then again, I share a comment from George Wallace, the veteran comic, when comedy started dying nationwide. He said, 'Don't worry, Bo, it's cyclical. It will come back. When world events turn, people will need a laugh.' And he's right."

Comedy breeds comedy, he said. "If we all work together, like we are now, there will be more work around the corner. I think working together fosters a bond, and if you share and work together, things start happening."

When he was asked to take part in this gig, he asked promoter Yemun Chung if he could call in his longtime pal, Kailua-raised Jaz Kaner, who's been frequenting the comedy circuit on the Mainland.

"He was happy to come back home," said Irvine.

He said he strives for universal and timeless material, with a bit of current events, in his bid to tickle the funny bones of audiences.

"Traffic is a good bet," he said. "The young people who've never seen me, and those who saw me 15 years ago, can connect, because we all have been in traffic."

Ditto, the frustrations and stress of air travel.

"Who hasn't been affected by the new security? That's why I say I go through the security screening naked."

No beeps, that way, he said.

Over the years, Irvine has been a "clean" stand-up. But, he said, when he teams up with Mel Cabang, who has been known to utter vulgarities, he has had to think profane.

"Mel is the champ of combat comedy," he laughed. "I've done shows for bikers with him, and, well, you gotta swear."

He sizes up the audience before turning slightly blue.

"If kids are there, I keep it clean. Always," he said.

There are two types of comedians, he said.

"Funny and not funny."

When younger comedians complain that the jokes they tried on friends didn't work with strangers, "it's a good test to tell you if you're funny or not. It's like babies: Your friends tell you it's good-looking or cute. A stranger would tell you it's ugly. Really."

Irvine has classic material, which he updates a skosh, but lately he's been flush with new gags. For instance, he's been refining a bit about those automatic toilet flushers.

"I've started using this joke for private parties, and people can relate, especially the ladies," he said. "You wonder if the (automatic) flush will work."

He frowns on hana hou for stand-ups, simply because, he said, when he's pau, he's got no more jokes to share.

"It's like sex," he chuckled. "You're only good for one at age 52."