Perhaps Carnac the Magnificent would have predicted the growing success of one of Northeast Nebraska’s hottest summer treasures.
Some of you – if over age 25 – may remember the mystic of the East portrayed by Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show. Sidekick Ed McMahon would assure the audience that the envelopes had been enclosed in a mayo jar that had been under Funk and Wagnall’s porch since noon, and absolutely no one knew the contents of the hermetically-sealed packets.
Then Johnny – or Carnac – placed the envelope against his beaded red turban, announced the answer to the impending question, ripped open the envelope, and produced the punch line.
For the fourth year, Carnac’s favored spot in June undoubtedly would be center stage at the Johnny Carson Theater, as Norfolk hosts the Great American Comedy Festival. The festival began as a tribute to hometown hero Carson and his legacy to the comedy world.
Called the King of Late Night, Carson played an instrumental role in the career paths for multiple comedians. This year’s headliner, Louie Anderson, got his big break after appearing on The Tonight Show. While performing his set, Anderson listened for Johnny’s laughter and for him to hit the desk.
Other past festival performers have mentioned another sign of comedic success: being invited to sit in the chair next to Johnny’s famous desk and chat with Carson.
If you haven’t had the opportunity to attend one of the myriad shows available, pencil it in on your calendar. Shows begin next Wednesday, June 15!
Amateur competition heats up Wednesday evening with the winner determined by audience vote.
On Thursday and Friday, 20 professionals vie for a chance to compete in Saturday’s Gala showcase, featuring Anderson and this year’s Johnny Carson Legend Award winner, Cloris Leachman.
On Sunday, the Skit Guys entertain at the family show. The duo combines humor and faith for hilarious results.
If you’re looking for something a little more risqué, check out the late-night sets on Thursday and Friday. The professionals will share different sets with content for a mature audience.
I’ve been fortunate to be a part of the festival’s planning committee and director of the youth camp since its inception. The youth camp remains one of the festival’s quiet commodities and proves anyone can tickle someone’s funny bone. Instructors come from top comedy institutions: The Second City and the San Francisco Comedy College.
Here, students learn more than the art of a joke or the timing for a Saturday Night Live-style skit. As an observer, I see confidence take root, break through the underlying barrier of shyness and self-doubt, and form into a confident individual who realizes it is okay to laugh and poke fun at your own mishaps.
That’s one of the beauties of humor.
Carson once said, “Talent alone won’t make you a success. Neither will being in the right place at the right time, unless you are ready. The most important question is: “Are you ready?”
Placing envelope to the forehead, Carnac’s answer for the participating comedians: Yes.
