Today we’d like to introduce you to Mo Alexander.
Hi Mo, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
In 1993 I told an ex-girlfriend that I was funnier than the people on Night in the Improv. She told me to put up or shut up. Two weeks later I did my first open mic. In 1996, I went full-time. In 1999, I impressed Keenen Ivory Wayans with a good-natured roast after a show and was asked to be the opening act on tour with Wayans. My comedy history includes my own Las Vegas show, “The Mo Funny Show” at the Casino Royale.
I’ve als0 been a semi-finalist In the San Francisco and Seattle Comedy Competitions. In 2017 he made his first national stand-up appearance for Comedy Central, appearing in the Kevin Hart Presents series “Hart of the City: Memphis Edition” which first aired on December 15, 2017. In 2019, I became the first comedian to EVER record an album at Sun Studios. That album “Mo Possum Blues” was released on August 12th of this year and debuted at number 1 on the iTunes and Amazon charts. It continues to be featured on iTunes and remains on Amazon’s New Releases and Best Seller charts.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Nothing in comedy is a smooth road. I’ve been close to the top on several occasions then suddenly off-road. Touring with Keenan Wayan was a huge get for me early on with lots of potentials. I was even considered by the Wayans’ management team, but then Scary Movie came out and they decided to focus on the two younger Wayans more. The Vegas show was going to be huge for me until the paychecks began to bounce.
In 2015 I did a favor for a comedian friend and ended up injuring myself to the point where I ended up immobile for a bit and died twice in the hospital. Thankfully the doctors and staff at Methodist University and Health South got me back to where I feel like I’m 85% of my old self physically. It’s never a smooth road but it’s comedy and hey If it was smooth, what stories would I have to tell?
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a comedian, but not one that one would consider “safe.” I make fun of the things that some people think shouldn’t be made fun of- Life and the world around me. I had a comic once tell me I should talk about being fat more. I told him that the world has many more interesting things to talk about than my size and it does.
I make people laugh at topics that are always hush-hush. Things that make people uncomfortable. Things like racism, hate, and ignorance. One of the funniest guys currently writing for TV shows and touring America once called me fearless onstage and I wear that badge with pride.
What does success mean to you?
Success for me is only taking the gigs I want and not taking a gig just because I need it. Getting to produce the two shows that live in my head and making sure the family is always taken care of. I’m currently semi-successful.
I haven’t had to work a day job in a very long time, but I still can’t drop $5000 on a family member just because I want to do so. I’m not where I want to be yet. The new album debuting at number 1 puts me closer, but I’m not all the way there yet.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.moalexander.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moalexander/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/comedianmoalexander
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MoAlexander
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MoAlexander
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/standuprecords/mo-alexander-school-shootings?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@moalexandercomedy
