Check Out Zach Wycuff’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Zach Wycuff.

Hi Zach, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve always loved jokes.

I remember growing up, my mom wouldn’t let me watch “edgy” things like the Simpsons, but for some reason, every Saturday night we would gather around the TV to watch SNL. The sketches were always fun (hot take: SNL wasn’t better when you were a kid, sketches are always hits and misses but you don’t remember the misses from when you were in middle school), but I was always drawn towards Weekend Update. The focus wasn’t big wigs or prat falls through a breakaway table—just jokes. Words that when said in a certain order, make you laugh.

I always loved jokes. And comedy. But it never occurred to me that it was something could actually DO until college. I would meet up regularly with a mentor, and once he was telling me about how he did improv during his time in college. I remember thinking, “Wait, you can just go do that?” So I googled “open mic Cincinnati”, signed up for the first one I could find. I did great, or at least it felt like it. If I go back and review the tape now, I’d probably gag. But it was enough that I felt like I had to get on stage the next possible opportunity. So the next week, I did. And bombed. And then did it again, and bombed again. I think it was 10 more times getting onstage until I got another real laugh. There’s a big difference between where I did my first set (a real comedy club with a supportive audience who wants you to do well), and the other places I performed afterwards: dimly lit bars where the few people who are in there are surprised by a comedy show they didn’t ask for, and immediately leave, leaving the only other people in the place other comics who are counting the seconds until they can perform their own set and also a bartender who is hoping the degenerates in the room will be able to pay his rent that month.

But the high of that first time onstage was enough to keep me coming back. And now, I’ve been chasing that high for the last decade.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I wish I could say it’s all been puppies and rainbows since then.

What people don’t tell you about following your dreams is that you still have pay to live just like everyone else.

The whole time I’ve pursued comedy, I’ve been doing so while working a full-time job. Turns out I’m a little “bougie” and like things like water, gas, electricity, and a place to sleep.You know that old heckle, “Don’t quit your day job!” I haven’t. I can’t.

While I’m often onstage 4-5 nights a week, I’m at my “job job” just as much. And have to figure out how to do my best at both. That’s often meant showing up to work with a bag of clothes and changing in the bathroom so I can hit the road at 4:59pm and get to gigs on time. It’s meant a lot of late nights, early mornings, and more than a few dinners at the gas station. I once got a sandwich at a UDF on my birthday because I thought it would be a funny story. I didn’t think the idea was as funny 24 hours later when I was sitting on the toilet.

I remember one time when winning a comedy contest on a Wednesday (which felt like a giant deal at the time), I texted my mom and told her I won. She said “That’s great, baby! Now just make sure to get up for your real job tomorrow!” Ooof.

It’s also tough to manage being on the road all the time while trying to be a real person. I never wanted to be the type of comedian who did jokes ABOUT comedy that someone who isn’t in the life would get. You need to go live a life so you can actually talk about it. You need have real friends that aren’t running the roads to get paid in drink tickets and chicken tenders. So I still do my best to make time to get dinner with friends, go to concerts, and take a dang walk outside every now and again.

As much as it’s been a struggle to balance work, comedy, and also being a real person, it’s been fun. As I look back at the age of 31, I realize there’s a lot worse things I could’ve spent my 20’s doing (ever heard of drugs??).

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I think what sets my comedy apart from most is I work to make it clean, but also good. Sometimes you’ll see comedy that’s one, but not the other. Some people do it brilliantly, like Nate Bargatze. And some people still live in Cincinnati and are doing their best while also working a full-time job (me). Sometimes I also lean more one way than the other. But I know that as long as I make comedy that gets laughs and doesn’t hurt my momma’s ears, I’m probably on to something.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Some people that know me might not know that I’m an absolute dork for basketball. I’m not the tallest guy, but I have a great jumper (I think), and was once one of the best basketball players in my high school (and by high school, I do mean “my high school’s marching band). A real 3-and-D, energy off the bench guy. If I was 6’1″, maybe I would’ve made a push to the League and wouldn’t be trolling around the Midwest trying to convince everyone and their mom to come to a dark room to hear me yap. But alas, I stopped growing at 5’8” and here we are. Until I can get enough money together to get that limb-lengthening surgery I get seeing TikToks about, Steph Curry’s job is safe.

Pricing:

• Please reach out to me, I’d love to work with you!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://zachwycuff.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wach_zycuff/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wach_Zycuff
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wach_zycuff