Clean comic not after
fame and fortune
Dean Jenkinson contradicts popular comedy by being funny and clean
By Debra Fieguth ChristianWeek staff
 COURTESY OF DEAN JENKINSON In a feature interview, Christian comedian Dean Jenkinson explains that it ispossible to be funny and clean, even insecular comedy clubs. |
WINNIPEG–Dean
Jenkinson was studying to be an architect when he
thought he’d do a little stand-up comedy for
fun. His part-time job was so successful that after graduation he decided to design jokes rather than houses for a living. Architecture, he concluded, "wasn’t my bag of peanuts." Now 28, Jenkinson is a regular host at a Winnipeg comedy club, Rumor’s, has a two-minute Friday night spot on the local CBC-TV news, and last fall was featured on CBC’s national Comics! program. He’s still somewhat baffled that he can make a living being funny. Comedy, he says, "never seems like a viable career option." Nor does he think he’s all that funnier than other people. "A lot of people say funny things in the course of a day," he points out. "But a comedian will jot them down." |
Much of what passes for comedy these days either makes light of people’s misfortunes or is full of sexual references. As a Christian Jenkinson is careful about using humor that is mean-spirited or rude. But sometimes, he admits, "it’s hard to tell where the line is." If something is questionable, the test is "whether what’s coming out of my mouth is pleasing to God’s ears."
He has managed to find clean but funny material, though. In one of his two-minute CBC satires, he reflected on the multiplicity of TV options. "I was watching the all-geometry channel the other day," he said with a straight face. The program? "You know: Touched by an Angle."
Laid back style
Jenkinson’s style is laid back and conversational rather than hyper or slapstick. "There are a million different ways to make somebody laugh," he points out. "You just have to find what works for you."
He’s also laid back about achieving success. Canadian comics never become rich and famous unless they move to the U.S.–a move he’s not about to make.
"I’m wary about pursuing fame and fortune," Jenkinson admits. "I’d like to think I’m aware enough to know those things aren’t as great as they’re thought to be."
Nor is comedy his life. He leads a youth group Bible study at his home church, Fort Richmond Baptist in Winnipeg. And he has to deal with some pretty serious issues–like being on his own after his wife left him.
But overall, Jenkinson feels he has it pretty good. Winnipeg is an ideal city to establish yourself as a comic, he points out, because it’s easier to get stage time here than in larger cities. Being seen "too early" by critics and agents is a comic’s nightmare, he explains. In Winnipeg, "you can have all your painful developmental years behind closed doors."