A chat with the Couch Ninja

The COURIER met with Johannesburg comedian The Couch Ninja, real name Frederick Ingo Viedge, and had a chat with him about his comedy journey and how it is like to be a funny man in South Africa’s ever growing comedy industry.

Couch Ninja (37) chated with James Mahlokwane about his journey since his first attempt at stand-up comedy in 2007, which he defines as “terrible”: “I died on the stage in less than a minute and knew then I was out of my depth.”

What motivated you to grab the mic and try this nerve-wracking profession?

I was curious about it – so I just tried it – it’s not hard for me to try new things.

What do you do besides comedy – personal or income-generating projects?

I do music – I have a campaign to generate money for education in Jozi, www.thecouchninjas.com. I also sell art #MyArtSellingBusiness – I do video editing and graphic design.

What are your short-term goals so far?

Raise money through the #JoburgSong to educate people in Jozi; have an international career in music and comedy and finally buy my own car.

Where have you performed and who are some of the biggest names you shared a stage with?

I performed at the Cool Runnings, at #Stagegrind, Poppys, Kitcheners, Parkers and other venues in Pretoria. I also performed at the Ozone and the Rock in Soweto and also in Cape Town at the Armchair.

I have shared the state with the likes of Robby Collins, Simmi Areff, all the Goliaths, Joe Parker, John Vlismas, Dusty Rich, Dave Levinsohn, Kagiso Lediga, Roni Modimola, pretty much everyone except Trevor Noah.

Couch – of all things you could be good at and do, why comedy?

I do comedy because it’s the hardest form of theatrical expression and therefore it helps me when I perform for my music band called the Couch Ninjas (@CouchNinjasBand). Comedy, I think, is the most noble form of public speaking. You’re not trying to get anyone to join your church or political party, you’re just trying to make them laugh. But I do lots of other things anyway.

Where do you draw your inspiration?

Mostly from my life experiences and from my experiences doing comedy.

What is your motto?

Everyone’s journey is different.

What are the difficulties of stand-up you have experienced?

The biggest difficulty is laziness and networking. I don’t like the idea of being in the scene with an agenda – I don’t know, I think I’m overthinking it. Also I am an introverted coward, I do not always like to be out with lots of people.

Now, your long-term goals?

Make money in comedy and music through ideas that are different and challenge the status quo. I also want to use business to benefit human beings and develop Africa as a continent.

Lastly, what is the one thing that could make your comedy career feel complete if you could achieve it? And why?

I think I’d like to be as successful as Ricky Gervais and travelling all over and getting paid for my comedy and then I will feel like I have made it on a material level. Otherwise I just want to create good art that makes people laugh, whether it is just me on the stage or through other media like television or the internet.

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