Michael Jr. Chats About New Comedy Special MORE THAN FUNNY

Comedy often teeters on the boundaries of real-life. "Michael Jr.'s MORE THAN FUNNY" is a hilarious new comedy special from the only comedian who's not trying to get laughs-Michael Jr.  "Michael Jr.'s MORE THAN FUNNY" releases in movie theaters nationwide October 18. This one-night event will feature an exclusive introduction and post credit production with never-before-seen comedic segments and hilarious improv moments.
 
Tickets for "Michael Jr.'s MORE THAN FUNNY" can be purchased online atwww.FathomEvents.com and participating theater box offices.
 
Fathom Events will bring "Michael Jr.'s MORE THAN FUNNY" to more than 600 select movie theaters on October 18 at 7:00 p.m. (local time), through Fathom's Digital Broadcast Network (DBN). For a complete list of theater locations, visit the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change). 

Q: Thanks for doing this interview with us. When and how did you become interested in comedy?

I think on some level without me even knowing it, I always wanted to help people be comfortable. And comedy seemed to initially be the ultimate way to do exactly that. Then years later I realized I could actually make a living doing comedy.

Q: Tell us a bit about MORE THAN FUNNY. How is this special different from the other comedy specials you have done in the past?

There's more "more" in this one, meaning the other comedy specials were funny, but MORE THAN FUNNY is special because this kind of comedy special has never ever been done before. Like, there's no movie or no special like this. Not only is it mixing two elements that should never be together, some really heart-felt stories and hopefully some hysterical comedy, but there's also a really cool call to action at the end that I'm pretty excited about.

Q: Besides being fun, this special also seeks to inspire your viewers. In what ways does this special inspire others?

Well, the film is funny. It's the same type of comedy I've done on the late-night television shows, Jimmy Kimble and NBC, however, there's more. I had a change in mindset years ago, where I felt like I should give people an opportunity to laugh as opposed to try to get laughter from people, so I started doing comedy at homeless shelters and prisons and abused children's' facilities before my events at night. And then I started sharing those stories with the people at my full events and they reacted very well. So now, in the comedy special, we share three stories that shouldn't be in a comedy special, but it works and that's why we call it "More Than Funny." We hope that people react, respond and even take action in a really powerful way.

Q: You speak about how the audience can be the punchline, can you elaborate?

Well, the way comedy works is there's a set up and there's a punchline. Life is very similar. Your setup is what you receive, and your punchline is about what you are called to deliver. And when people don't understand their punchline, they feel like something's missing and then what they do is think they need more setup. "If I could just get married." "If I could just get a bigger house." "If I could get a raise." "If I could just..." "could just..." and so on. What people really need to understand is that they have a punchline. It's just like me struggling with my reading as a child, your setback is a part of your setup, so you can deliver the punchline that you're called to deliver. I'm really hoping people understand that even the hurts and the things they've been through are part of their setup. Everyone has something they can do, something they can accomplish, something that the people next to them need for them to accomplish and get done.

Q: What will people experience when they come out and watch MORE THAN FUNNY?

I hope they will walk away with an action, something to actually do or that their eyes are open just a little more to the people who are around them. When I say "around them" I don't mean down the street where the homeless people are. I'm talking about the people in their household. I believe this movie can cause people to look at what they have a little different and then also assess what's a great way to deliver it. And then do it. Because the call to action at the end is going to give everybody an opportunity to do something a little different than they probably normally would do at the end of a film.

 

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