Stella Dimoko Korkus.com: Former Comedian Teju Babyface Explains Why He Quit Stand Up Comedy.

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Sunday, June 04, 2017

Former Comedian Teju Babyface Explains Why He Quit Stand Up Comedy.

Iconic comedian, Teju Babyface, bowed out of the stand-up comedy industry about three years ago and it seems he is not rescinding his decision.


In a chat with Saturday Beats, the comic act turned television presenter said that he threw in the towel on his comedy career mainly because he was constantly struggling.

He said, “It was always a struggle to be a comedian. You may not have seen the struggle but every time I got on stage, it was a constant struggle. I had to prove myself to the audience constantly at every performance.

It was a constant struggle and there were times I had been called on stage and the applause at the best of time would be polite, at the worst of times it would be non-existent.

If you think about it, I really did not look like a comedian. It was as if the audience did not believe I could make them laugh; so I always had to prove myself.

There was a time that it did not matter because I really enjoyed doing it. But after a certain time, your inner man would call out to you and things like discontent would start to set in.”

He told Saturday Beats that his conviction was further fuelled when he realised that he could never be the number one stand-up comedian in the industry. Babyface however emphasised that he would always remain a comedian.


“It occurred to me that I was never going to be the number one stand-up comedian. I would never forget that day. It occurred to me several times in my stand-up comedy career but there was a certain day I had a lucid moment after a particular performance.

As I got off the stage, it occurred to me that I was not called to be a career stand-up comedian. It was just a stage through which I had to pass. I am not saying I am not a comedian because I will always be one but I am no longer a stand-up comedian. I like to use the example of Steve Harvey in the US.

He did his last stand-up comedy show in Las Vegas in 2012 but he hosts the Steve Harvey show on television and radio, he has a children’s show and he is also an author. He is a business magnate but he would always be a comedian. You cannot watch him and not laugh and it is the same thing with me.

Either it is the Teju Babyface show or you are reading my book or listening to me speak; you will always laugh but I would not stand on stage like I used to do to tell jokes,” the comedian said.

Currently embracing his new found love which is public speaking and writing, the television presenter recently launched his debut book titled, ‘Secrets of the Streets.’ He told Saturday Beats that he has found more fulfilment and peace in his new endeavour.

“I did not set out to write a book but I believed some years ago that I was meant to speak to people, to become a motivational speaker. I found out that I was writing a lot of things that I intended to speak about but the challenge was that nobody was calling me to speak.

It was a challenge to find somewhere to speak and the places I wrote to always felt that I am a comedian and wondered what I know about public speaking.

After putting all the materials in my computer for a while, my friend suggested that I should write a book. I laughed at him at first but since he said I would become an authority if I write a book, after thinking about it for a while, it made sense to me. When I was launching the book, I found peace in my heart.

Someone asked me if I had made the money I intended to make and I told them that they do not have an idea. I did not run into debt trying to do it but it is not about money anymore.

There is a joy I feel being an author and I feel like a man who had finally found himself. A few people who saw me during the book launch said it in different ways that I have finally got into my place through writing and speaking,” Babyface said.

 

*It is good he told himself the truth.There are too many comedians struggling to be noticed,some get lucky.

39 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. He was never funny to me....Still not funny

      He should pick another struggle mbok


      Where that him wife now ....lol. ..can't forget, since other comedians were getting married to models and fine laddies, na so @Oga teju carry him "Sara pass mosholashi "....as him marry the babe finish, eye clear say, na empty carton him marry... Na so @Teju begin cry... Lol




      @Galore

      Delete
    2. @Galore you don come here again, so wetin happen to his wife? How she be empty carton





      *Larry was here*

      Delete
  2. Good he told himself the truth....i see him as one ajebutter that suppose to be in an office environment and settings.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Iya Oshoronga of Blogosphere4 June 2017 at 09:35

    Too many comedians not only struggling to be noticed but their jokes are dry as hell. If they don't insult people they cannot crack a joke. The best thing in life is to remain true to yourself.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Good! Cos he doesn't really connect with his audience!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Have u ever been present @ any of his shows.
      Teju is a great guy. I was at an event organised by Airtel for SME's and he swayed us all as the anchor and MC. He was doing his thing effortlessly.

      He knocked off my preconceived notion of not not being an ace comedian. He is a corporate comedian.

      When you guys pay to attend a comedy show, u expect the comedians to perform wonders..... Now they abuse members of d audience and u guys term it funny. SMH

      Delete
    2. Teju baby face is a show I always look forward to so don't say he doesn't connect to his audience.

      Nice decision teju. No be do or die

      Delete
  5. He made a wise decision.






    God Bless Everyone.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I think they all struggle but hey this is naija we overhype mediocrity.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Lol at 'I can never be the number one stand up comedian '...
    You mustn't be the number one naw....
    I'm happy you found your self...
    Why is it hard for people to mention the names of friends that helped them in difficult times?
    You hear/read things like....'then one friend of mine did this...
    Then I told someone that told me that.... '
    Give them their mentions, they deserve it.

    ReplyDelete
  8. The hardest thing for people to do is tell themselves the truth, especially in the SM world where people look at others and not inward. I had a chat with a top person at MNet the other day and she told me when she sees a destined actor/'actress', she knows (P.S: she told me that there's really no word like actress. The word was born out of feminism). That so many people in the industry don't have 'it' in them. But they wont agree, especially when they have money to cover their tracks. She gave examples of someone who has become a director and is doing well, that the person's acting was quite shitty. She also gave example of a Nollywood male sweetheart who doesn't verbally construct his scripts properly but because of his ability to act it out well, most directors just love to use him despite his not-so-perfect diction. Yet many upcoming people run into this industry and never make headway. And they bear the name in self-deception till the end of time.

    I'm happy he got honest with himself and knew where to draw the line cos Teju was not a good comedian at all. But he's a good orator. This is actually a form of strength that many don't have. Sometimes, all you need is ONE day that the scales fall off.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shut up please. Madam I know everybody. Always blabbing rubbish.

      Delete
    2. Very right. If only people could embrace the truth about who they really are but unemployment forced many of us into fields we are not meant to be.

      Delete
    3. Anon let chikito say her mind na. She is very right. The best is to be true to yourself. Know your calling.
      Take Kunle Afolayan for example, he is rly wack @ acting. Buh look @ him as a filmmaker, he is one of the best in d country. He is a great filmmaker.

      Delete
    4. @sista jane you dey mind the anon? Uninformed lot. Later they be saying no job in Nigeria. Oshisco!

      Delete
    5. @lacey love hmmm.... my dear, we have all been there. But let whatever you do temporarily not distract you from your goal. Distraction too is another wahala. E.g: you are a gifted budding fashion designer, by all means get that 9-5 because of the economy and put your salary into your fashion business. Once all is set, break out and pursue the dream. But many never get to that decision point like Teju.

      Delete
    6. Ik ogbonna too cannot act to save his life. Someone should please tell him to stop.

      Same with Remy njoku

      Delete
  9. Will never the film he acted,he went to university at an early age and went to join bad gang,went to a dead rich woman grave to steal diamond.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I saw the movie of recent.. It's called @Diamond ring

      Staring:

      @Liz Benson
      @RMD
      @Bimbo Akintola
      @Teju baby face

      E. T. C




      @Galore

      Delete
    2. That was a movie mehn! I think they shot part of part 2 in the abroad that time. Where RMD was looking for the ring.

      Delete
    3. Yea I remember the Movie too. 😀

      Delete
  10. Anonymous said...
    Shut up please. Madam I know everybody. Always blabbing rubbish.

    Gbam gbam gbam.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Be replying yourself there 😂 at least i know. What do you know? 😋

      Delete
  11. Lol! @ "at least I know. Whhat do you know"
    Hahahahahahaha

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hahaha chikito madam ITK. Always has a story to tell. Will hate to be friends with your time. They can't listen but will be thinking of the next story to tell while you are talking. Am sure na lie lie full your mouth...

    ReplyDelete
  13. just wait and see, he will soon become a pastor

    ReplyDelete

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