Caleb Synan, Class of 2009
Comedian
What has been the hardest thing for you in getting to where you are today in your career?
Definitely the pandemic. I had been doing comedy full time for five years and then suddenly stand up disappeared in 2020. I had to make ends meet doing zoom shows, drive-ins, rooftops, and podcasts. It was a crazy time, but I made it through. I never gave up! (Also, I didn’t qualify for unemployment so I didn’t really have a choice)
What has been your most exciting moment as a comedian?
Oddly, it’s right now! My dream as a kid was to get a special on Comedy Central and I filmed it this past September in New York. It hasn’t come out yet, so I just have this feeling like it’s career Christmas-Eve, you know? I’m pretty excited, probably because I haven’t seen the comment section yet.
Did you ever think of giving up on your dream?
The first time I ever did stand up I bombed really, really bad. You could hear a pin drop. Just dead silence. And all my friends were there in the crowd just watching me fail. So I had a moment like Eminem in 8 Mile where I had this insatiable desire to redeem myself. And finally when I had a good show, it felt great, but it just made me want to go further and higher. The idea of quitting never occurred to me. It’s my job, my hobby, my passion, and my favorite thing. It’d be like quitting everything. If I quit I’d just have to go be a monk in the woods or something. Which sounds okay, now that I’m thinking about it.
For what are you most thankful?
I truly feel like God put me on this earth at this time in this place for a reason. And I know it’s more than just making people laugh. That’s part of it, but I’m thankful that I get to keep going and living and learning. I’m so thankful that I was born in the South, in the 90’s, in a small town, as a preacher’s son. It gave me the tools and perspective I needed to get me where I am today. Also, coffee. I haven’t skipped a day since I was 12.
Learn more about Caleb at https://www.calebsynan.com or https://twitter.com/dumbcaleb.