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Johnathan Appel (@johnathanappel) is a comedian and writer based in New York City.
His writing has been featured inThe New Yorkerand McSweeneys.
He also writes for the BoogieManja sketch team Dropout Kids and performs with his character team, Poughkeepsie.
He co-hosts a monthly variety show,Very Nice People Saying Very Nice Things,at Q.E.D.
and runsSome Fun Lines,an open mic for satire and humor writing.
So then I did plays (I was Lopakhin inCherry Orchardfor you Chekhov-heads out there).
Ive always been a really bad procrastinator.
I wrote 70 pages of my college poli-sci thesis the morning it was due.
So I tweeted this to make fun of myself when I was trying to just sit down and focus.
Also, after I posted this tweet, my mom did text me that she was proud of me!
So Twitter brings families together.
Has social media changed your sense of humor at all?
Do you think it has changed the way you write or tell jokes onstage?Yes!
Its made my sense of humor a lot snappier and weirder.
Its completely changed the way I write, because Ive met some of my favorite co-writers over Twitter.
Im an adult with internet friends and I love it.
I cant tell you how many times Ive heard You have it or you dont.
We need way more of that in the scene.
Im an atheist except I need to believe that dog heaven exists.
Especially if its fluffy.
And doubly especially if its wearing a sweater (its that time of year after all).
So this is deeply personal but also not at all.
I also love that stand-up can be absolutely anything as long as you and the audience are having fun.
I lived in David Foster Wallaces former dorm room my sophomore year of college.
As a white straight man, the fact that I dont talk about this more is truly superhuman.
If I could be one of Mumfords sons in Mumford & Sons, Id be so very happy.
I lived in his room and didnt talk about it.
But I just did so I am also the butt of my own joke.
If you ever read his work, especiallyInfinite Jest,remember to look at the footnotes.
Take notes because they really tie the world together and oh God what have I become?
