Local comedian inspired by food, farts

Question: What has David Cross’s head, Ken Marino’s torso, Michael Ian Black’s legs and David Wain’s arms?
Answer: According to Conner Taylor, his imaginary comedy god.
Taylor, a recent University graduate, is performing his version of stand-up comedy tonight at Little Kings.
“I’m like a skinnier Kevin James, mixed in with some T.G.I.F. action,” he said.
For those who may have forgotten, T.G.I.F. was ABC’s Friday night lineup in the ’90s.
Indeed, Taylor said he finds himself drawn to his childhood memories of the early- and mid-’90s for inspiration.
Taylor also said fart jokes and food are frequent topics in his routine.
With floppy, curly blond hair, an ever-so-slightly rotund figure and an infectious laugh, Taylor understands he’s an endearing fellow and translates that to his act.
“The way I am on stage is kind of the way I am in real life,” he said. “It’s not really abrasive to anyone. I just like to have fun.”
Much of Taylor’s comedy is observational, he said.
“I also write down stuff on my hand,” he said, “stuff I think is funny during the day and especially when I go out drinking.”
Though sometimes, in the light of day, he said the jokes from a night out can feel more like waking up next to an unattractive stranger than staring at comedy gold.
“I’m always just writing down everything, and 95 percent of it sucks,” he said. “I think that’s what most comedians do.”
CONNOR TAYLOR & NATE MITCHELL
Presented by Stubble on Stubble Comedy
When: 9 tonight
Where: Little Kings
Price: $5
Taylor began his Athens comedy career in Off Night Athens, a sketch comedy group in the summer of 2006.
“I started doing this character called Slammin’ J,” he said, “A shitty, white Def Comedy Jam comedian – the object was to bomb.”
Taylor’s experience with Off Night Athens helped him realize stand-up comedy was his goal for the future.
In about a year, he plans to move to New York to pursue his dream of becoming a professional comedian.
For now, though, Taylor said he is focused on doing his part to help the comedy scene in Athens develop.
“I want to build on the comedy scene here because there’s not really much of one, but Athens – I think it’s a really receptive place,” he said.
Taylor’s comedy group Stubble on Stubble, founded by Taylor and his brother, is one way he is contributing to the Athens scene.
Beyond hosting tonight’s show, Stubble on Stubble is also the force behind the University’s winning 2007 Delta Campus Moviefest film, “Happy Meal.”
Taylor is one of the faces of Krystal’s college ad campaign. However, he secretly admits that he’s not exactly a Krystal regular.
“They’re hideous! Are you kidding me?” he said. “I never would publicly admit eating Krystal unless it was on a Krystal commercial, which happened to be the case.”
Chik-lover or not, Taylor continues to pursue his comedy dreams at his show tonight, along with fellow Athenian Nate Mitchell.
Oh, and as for his imaginary comedy god: “I’d be the ding-dong,” he said.


