Popular Ghanaian comedian Musah Junior, professionally known as MJ the Comedian, has challenged perceptions about comedy, asserting that it requires intelligence, skill, and professionalism to master the craft.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s “The Chat” on June 28, the humorist explained why comedy is far more than just telling jokes—it’s an art form that demands wit, timing, and resilience.
MJ illustrated his point with a reference to his first standup comedy show, ‘My Missing Tooth, recalling how he lost his tooth through an accident, but found humour even in that painful situation.
“There is comedy in everything. If it is not your job, you will not be able to get the comedy out of a tragic situation, like I did when I had the accident and my tooth was missing. I like to say that comedy is not for ‘fools’.
“You can be as funny as you can, but having a microphone and standing in front of thousands of people and cracking them up over and over again comes with some form of professionalism,” he said.
Dismissing the notion that comedy is for the unserious, MJ argued that keeping an audience engaged requires sharp instincts and professionalism.
“You could crack a crowd up for the first time, and they will laugh, but try it again, and you will see. It can get to a point where you crack a joke and nobody will be laughing, or you will not have a good day. How do you pick yourself up if you are not professional? It is the case in football or music,” he added.
“So no, comedy isn’t for fools,” MJ concluded. “It’s for intelligent people who understand the craft.”
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