In Josh Johnson: Symphony, his first-ever HBO Comedy Special, Josh Johnson has orchestrated a timeless standup show.
"I really want people to be able to look back and enjoy this thing that I’ve done with HBO for years and years and years," says the comedian, known as one of a rotating cast of hosts as well as a correspondent for The Daily Show. "That’s why I didn’t make any topical references. I’m just talking about things that feel particularly universal, at least to me."
Filmed at The Wiltern in Los Angeles and directed by Jacob Menache, the artful hour-long special incorporates bursts of live music in between the jokes and stories Johnson tells the crowd. Those stories range from eating at restaurants with his weird uncle to seeing Bible stories in a whole new light as an adult.
Johnson — who grew up in Alexandria, Louisiana — and started his standup career in Chicago, spoke to the Television Academy about making his new project, his YouTube specials and hosting The Daily Show.
Television Academy: As your Symphony special begins, we see a quote from Jean-Michel Basquiat. It posits that art is how we decorate space, and music is how we decorate time. Then there is a line you have added that reads, "Comedy is how we decorate reality." What was your thinking behind that statement?
Josh Johnson: It’s mainly that comedy is the same as art and music in their disciplines — the way they mold the thing in front of us. I think comedians and comedy are meant to poke holes in reality. Through comedy, you can see another perspective through someone’s imagination. [The quote at the start of the show] is sort of a primer that I’m going to do the special differently, that we’re going to have these extra elements that you wouldn’t normally see.
When you first come out on stage for this special, you take a moment to look at the audience. It feels like you are intentionally trying to form a connection with them.
No, you’re right. It’s also taking a second to take stock of what’s happening. Let’s say you’re fully locked in: You could just run out there, start doing your first joke and be thinking about how it lands — thinking about "laughs-per-minute" and everything — or you can take a quick second to stop and, not just enjoy, but really respect the fact that these people are all here together for a reason. I think it takes that moment of noticing to really make yourself present, and fully respect everyone who’s there.
How long have you been doing standup now?
I would’ve started in the latter part of 2012. Wow, I haven’t thought about that in so long.
As much as I knew what a comedian was, and that people did standup for a living, I didn’t think it could be a job [for me] when I started. It was just something I really loved doing. I was pretty happy working at the grocery store and doing standup at night. In a sense, I couldn’t imagine doing what I’m doing now. If you have a real love and curiosity for something, then you can’t help but give it a shot.
Do you remember your first gig?
When I moved to Chicago, I landed and almost immediately tried to find an open mic. Pressure Billiards in Chicago — that was the first open mic that I did. I had five minutes, and I didn’t manage the time well. I told two jokes and a story, then I kind of finished. I really wanted to respect the light [there is a light behind the audience that lets comedians know their time on stage is up] because I was new. I didn’t want to make enemies or anything.
"Through comedy, you can see another perspective through someone’s imagination," Johnson says.
Today, you perform at clubs all over the country and around the world. You also put out sets on YouTube every Tuesday night for people to watch for free. How do you balance all of that?
I’ve always written a lot. A lot, a lot, a lot. While some things can be very funny and topical, they're just not going to be relevant forever. To me, it makes the most sense to share those things, so that those who couldn’t make it to the show get to enjoy it. It also helps build some community. There are people who tune into the live [YouTube show] every week, and we chat in the chat. I’m very thankful that people have made a bit of a ritual out of it.
During an appearance on Late Show with Stephen Colbert, you said that hosting The Daily Show is like borrowing a friend’s car, and that you want to return it without any damage. Are you still feeling that way, or are you less concerned about denting the car now that you’ve driven it several times?
I think it’s important to consistently feel that way. That’s not a way that anyone has made me feel; it’s a thing that I do out of respect for what I get to do. I hope I don’t lose that feeling, not even a little bit, because it’s what keeps me as intentional as possible.
This interview was edited for length and clarity.
Josh Johnson: Symphony is now streaming on HBO Max.
