Comic makes personal life funny

He’s performed on “The Late Show with David Letterman,” had his own “Comedy Central Presents” one-hour special, and this weekend, Tommy Johnagin  will return to the Funny Bone Bloomington Comedy Club to entertain local audiences.

Local comedians Jamison Raymond and junior Josh Cocks will trade off hosting and featuring Friday and Saturday, Cocks said, adding that he’s excited to see Johnagin perform again.

“He has ridiculously good delivery,” Cocks said. “He’s one of the smartest comics you see. He manages to sound smart while talking about how dumb he is.”

While Johnagin said he has heard that impression before, his comedy is not specifically geared toward intellectuals.

“I try not to take the easy route,” he said. “It’s not like I’m doing calculus – you just have to listen.”

Johnagin said he tries to make his on-stage persona as close to his natural personality as possible, describing it as a “slightly exaggerated version of me.”

As for subject matter, he said he doesn’t focus on current events, preferring to talk about personal experiences.

“It’s kind of a joke/story hybrid,” he said. “Life happens and I kind of find the funny parts of it.”

One benefit the Funny Bone creates for local comics is getting to perform with professional comedians like Johnagin.

“I saw him when he was here last, and he was super funny,” Raymond said. “I’m excited to see him again.”

For his part, Raymond said Funny Bone regulars can expect new material from him, such as news stories, his attempts to pick up a “hot bank teller,” and his opinions on technology in general.

“Technology is awesome until it doesn’t do what you want it to. Then it’s the stupidest thing ever,” Raymond said.

Cocks will discuss topics such as a friend who thinks there are too many homosexual men in the military.

“That was his reason for why we’re failing in the Middle East,” Cocks said.

He’ll also recall an anecdote about overhearing a conversation between a little boy and his mother.

“He thought they were actually – for Thanksgiving – going to the moon,” Cocks said. “I felt bad for him because even I know he’s not going to the moon.”

Though he hopes audiences will have fun, Cocks said that’s not the main reason he does comedy.

“I’m in this business to entertain myself,” he said.