James O’Hara’s comedy blends sharp self-deprecation with the sly confidence of someone who may or may not think he’s above everyone else. Influenced by today’s silliest voices and shaped by years of performing everywhere from sex clubs to condo living rooms, his work thrives on odd venues, failed bit ideas, and earnest reminders that comedy is his lifelong dream. He’s also the proud creator of the album I Love You, And I’m Tired, with a second one in the works—eventually.
How would you describe your comedy style?
My comedy style is a mix of self-deprecation while simultaneously thinking I’m better than everyone else.
Who are some of your influences?
I would say I’m influenced a lot by a lot of very silly comedy these days. Chris Fleming, Reuban Solo, Sam Campbell
Who was your favourite comedian growing up?
Growing up, my favourite comedians were Mitch Hedberg and Demetri Martin, which is funny because I don’t do one-liners. I was also a huge fan of Bo Burnham and Tim Minchin, which is funny because I don’t do musical comedy either.
Who is your favourite comedian now?
Now my favourite comedy group is an Australian comedy group that had most of their success in the early 2000s called Tripod. Again, a musical group, but their special “Tripod Versus the Dragon” might be my favourite live show of all time.
What is your pre-show ritual?
I don’t think I have one. One thing I’ve started trying to do more is to remind myself that this is my dream. That doing comedy is all I’ve ever wanted to do. Even when I have to do a corporate gig in a brewery where everyone is standing and chatting, and also it’s a retirement party for a guy who thinks he could have been a comedian, and he is wrong. Even those gigs are my dreams.
What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?
I’ve performed in a lot of interesting places. I’ve performed in a sex club, in a yarn store, in an A&W Parking lot, in several different condo party rooms. Once, a guy hired me to perform in his new condo for a housewarming party. He set up his bedroom as a green room, with water and beer and everything, and then he snuck me in while his friends weren’t paying attention, and then I came out as a surprise and performed for like 8 people in his living room, and that was one of the best shows I’ve done this year.
What is your favourite bit you have written and why were you proud of it?
A lot of my favourite bits don’t work. Here are some of my failed ideas for bits:
– I wish they’d invent a dish sponge that cleans dishes as well as my fingernail does.
– Every time a joke lands, I spin an iPad around and ask for a tip.
– I’m an intellectual. I play chess against the hardest computer available. I always lose, but hey, at least I’m in there.
– Since I turned 30, I’ve stopped doing MDMA and am getting way more excited about MCME (Mr. Clean Magic Eraser)
What is your favourite medium for listening or finding new comics/comedians?
I find a lot of good stuff on TikTok. There is a lot of slop on there, but you eventually find the golden nuggets of Zach Zucker or the guy who sprays dog medicine on his hands every day to make them tougher.
Tell us a joke about your city.
I grew up in Ajax, Ontario. Which is a place you go to visit your drug dealer and also your grandma. And if your grandma lives in South Ajax, you only need to make the one stop.
Do you have anything to promote right now?
I have a comedy album called I Love You, And I’m Tired, which I am so so proud of. I’m working on a second one, but I’m also very lazy, so who knows when that will come out.
Where can we follow you?
PAY IT FORWARD: Who is another local comic/comedian we should know about?
Two of my favourite people in the world are Bren D’Souza and Rachel Manson. They are so much better than I, and working with them on the regular is a dream come true. We are eventually releasing a podcast together called “What If We Had A Podcast,” where every episode is a different genre of podcast. But we also are terrible at making time to record, so maybe we won’t ever put it out.
