Jake Daniels, cancer-fighting comedian

Cancer: a growth of uncontrolled cells in the body, a scourge that affects more than half a million Americans each year—and depending on how well you can spin a yarn, a reliable source of comedy. West Sacramento native and stand-up comedian Jake Daniels’ experiences with the disease for two years now have inspired him and fellow comedian Andrew Ouelette to tour the country performing and raising money for childhood cancer research. The $20,000 campaign goal for the Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research was set when the aptly named Knock ’Em Dead Comedy Tour began on April Fools’ Day this year. Daniels won’t begin to tally the money earned until the tour winds down in late July, but the experience has been filmed for a documentary being released early next year. Daniels took some time to wax poetic about his career, without the backdrop of a brick wall and a lone microphone. 

Is there a part of your act you’re most proud of?

Probably my cancer joke. “I was engaged to a girl and she left me when I was diagnosed with cancer. I miss her very much, so what I like to do is keep a tampon on top of my TV to remind me of the twat that took my DVD player.”

How soon were you able to turn cancer into comedy?

As soon as I started going through chemo. It took a few months before I told myself, “I want to put this in my act somewhere,” but I was drained for months though because of treatment, so it took a while before it showed up.

You’ve been on a tour benefiting cancer research. Has anyone been audacious enough to heckle? 

Oh yeah. We have hecklers all the time. Generally every show. I think people feel the urge to participate in the show, thinking it will help. It doesn't. There was one [heckler] that got really close to the stage and just stood with his arms folded, yelling. I don't mind them too much. To me, it's all fun and games. 

Have you ever heckled?

No. Being a comic and knowing how most comics feel about hecklers, it's unethical. When you heckle you're pushing yourself into an act that's not about you.

What was the goal of the Knock ’Em Dead Comedy Tour, other than to raise money for cancer research?

I wanted to help kids understand what they're going through. They don't have the life experience to completely understand what they're going through. I want to help with that [as] best I could.

When did you get into stand-up?

I tried it at first when I was 18, but quit right after I realized I didn't have enough life experience to be as funny as I wanted to be. So I took a 15-year break, got through some troubles, became more confident and then got back up on stage. 

Did the first set go well?

It did! It was actually in an Elks Lodge with an audience of old people ranging from 40 to 110. I did a 35-minute set and they actually laughed, seemed to enjoy it.

You had an entire 35 minutes?

It was crazy. I studied my material for a month straight. I had fun doing it, I was technically a headliner. I was invited back the next year but I didn't want to do it. The whole thing felt like cramming for an exam. I used a lot of street jokes because I didn't really know what I was doing. I mean, I still don't know what I'm doing, but I at least feel more confident.

Who were your favorite comedians growing up?

Robin Williams, Sam Kinison. I actually used to do a high-energy act like them, but once I got sick the act had to become more laid back. Just didn't have the energy for it.

Is there a subject you won’t touch?

No. Funny is funny. If you can make people laugh about something, do it. Steve Martin used to talk about making audiences so uncomfortable they're squirming in their chairs—to me, that's comedy. 

If you could only perform stand-up on one late-night show, which one do you pick?

I'd probably go with Conan. I've actually seen him do stand-up and he's a great stand-up comedian. Fallon is a cool and a great entertainer, but not necessarily a stand-up.

Best go-to joke?

I do magic in my act. When I feel like I'm losing an audience I'll pull out my deck of cards and pull off a trick to flip them back in. It usually works. 

Best experience on stage?

That's a tough one. I headlined at the Vegas Hard Rock Cafe. Just going on stage and knowing there would be a crowd there waiting for me. There was a lot of positive energy surrounding that night.

Worst experience?

I was at a bar full of people but none of them were there for my comedy. Some still laughed, but crowd chatter makes it really hard to keep people engaged. It's like you're competing for attention.