Ron McGehee is one of the most well-know Christian comedians in the business. But not only is he a stand-up comedian, Ron is also a screenwriter, actor, contributing writer for various online magazines, and an inspirational speaker. Ron has taken his clean act to such venues as the World Famous Improv Comedy Clubs and the Comedy Store. He has also been featured on Funny Farm TV and was a finalist on Last Comic Standing 2.

Ron has been doing stand-up for about seven years now, and has recently confirmed an unnamed comedy pilot with a CBS producer to write, as well as appear on, the new and up-and-coming show. Ron can also be heard on “The Family Comedy Countdown,” a national syndicated radio show, and he is producing his own clean comedy show at top venues throughout the U.S. When he is not doing stand-up in comedy clubs, Ron stars and co-produces an on-line reality show with well-known female Christian comedian and wife, Kerri Pomarolli. The show is called “I love Kerri” and it is about newly married and first-time home owners Ron and Kerri. The show progresses alongside their home improvement skills as the pair strive through domestic challenges such as cooking, cleaning, and home renovations. When their schedules allow, Ron and Kerri go on the road together traveling the country, including Canada, performing their “He Said, She Said” show, where they both try to get the last word in. But it’s all a friendly competition. The couple also performs for and speaks to youth, teenagers, and young adults at various Christian camps, festivals, and colleges around the nation. They, as well as their message, are always well-received and their life lessons, told through humor, resonate with the audience.

Recently, I had the opportunity to interview Mr. McGehee about his life as a comedian and Christian, and the experiences he has had within the industry, while keeping his religion and faith a part of his act.

S. Papadopoulos: Before we begin, Mr. McGehee, I would like to thank you for taking the time to interview with me. I also want to congratulate you on your recent commercial shoot for DHL.

Q: A lot of Christians in the entertainment industry tend to hide their faith. What made you decide to keep it a part of your professional life?

A: I know the reason I’m getting any Hollywood success is because of the Lord. And it will allow people to see Him through me. As it says in Matt. 5:14-15, “You don’t put a light under a bowl, you let it shine so all can be drawn to the source of the light.”

Q: Comedians have a different way of thinking than the rest of us. They find the
humor in almost anything. How did your interest in comedy begin, and what was your inspiration that made you pursue this line of work?

A: I have always seen humor in things that no one else saw. I was able to make people laugh at an early age and that is quite a feeling - to be able to make someone laugh. Because of this I was always interested in telling jokes, especially when my mom was angry with me. I got out of a lot of trouble with my jokes.

It was a yearning that I had to pursue to make sure I wasn’t missing out on my life’s calling. I prayed, pursued, and God gave me confirmation through my meeting great Christian comedian mentors, accolades from peers, and successes in gigs.

Q: Comedy is a difficult business to get into. What was the level of difficulty you had to face “breaking” into this mostly secular business, especially coming from a strong Christian background?

A: You don’t enter a level playing field. Not all people are against Christians, but most are. They don’t understand us. They mostly know us by rhetoric spouted about judgmental, hypocritical, Bible-thumping wacko-fundamentalists. Sometimes they get to know me and then I say I’m a Christian. At first they think it’s a joke, and then they ask, “How? You’re funny and cool.” This does open dialogue and they can actually get to know a Christian first-hand before passing judgment on the supposed judgmental.

Q: You have performed in numerous improv venues, most of which incorporate secular comedians with audiences who may at times expect the typical “raunchy” comedy. What has been the reaction from the audiences you have performed for?

A: The crude cussing mentality that permeates most comedy clubs is tough, because you have to sit through it before you go on. There were some nights when everyone is killing with blue [comedy that is off-color, risqué, indecent, profane, or obscene] or crude humor and you’re struggling trying to make your clean stuff work, but the audience has been desensitized and expects blue stuff…and you know a certain blue joke that’ll get ‘em. The temptation to be liked and conform is very strong, so you have to really be funny to get the laughs and respect. I’ve done the hard work where you are performing for two drunk guys at 2:30 in the morning and for crowds that would rather watch the game that’s on the bar’s TV than hear comedy. But by paying my dues, I learned how to get an audience involved and make them laugh. I also do this without going “blue.” As long as you make the audience laugh and they are entertained, they will allow you to speak your mind. So if I’m funny and I happen to be presenting my particular Christian worldview, that’s fine, as long as the laughs continue. We are called to excellence in Christ, so with Christians in entertainment, we have to put out high quality things or the world will not be interested in hearing what we’re about or what we have to say.

Q: There are many comedians who choose to use vulgar language in their routines, target people from different ethnic backgrounds, and discriminate between the sexes. How have you managed to keep your act “clean” and how have you remained true to your faith, as well as incorporate your faith into your comedy routine?

A: The first thing I know is that in any audience I perform for, I know that God is there watching. So, for accountability, I know who I am and who I live for. For me, making people laugh is about fun; I don’t want to alienate anyone in my audience or make them feel bad for coming out. Because I’m a Christian and a comedian does not mean that all my comedy is about the church and the Bible. It’s not like my jokes are like, “Two Jews walk into a bar…and that was wrong!!!” Or, “What’s the deal with Philemon, I mean it sounds so Old Testament, but it’s in the New Testament!!!” Yes it would be horrible if those were my jokes. But as a Christian I get up, eat breakfast, drive, go to the market, watch TV, have had relationships, gone to the DMV, etc. I do pretty much everything an unbeliever does, but I present it under the context that I live a Christian lifestyle.

Q: Comedy comes naturally for some people. How do you develop your routine, where do you seek your material, and what message(s) do you hope to send through your stand-up comedy?

A: My material comes to me through living experiences and the observations that are channeled through my comic mind. I know I have a nugget, and then I start to mine it and really explore the possibilities and write and perform at the open mikes to hone and sharpen my comedy bits, and to make them as funny as they can be. Then I take them out on the road with me.

As far as messages I want to convey, obviously it’s ‘let’s have fun. You’re here to be entertained and I want to make sure you got your money’s worth.’ There are many other specific messages I incorporate into my act and different venues. I perform all over the country and at all kinds of events and settings. When I’m at a high school or junior high, I, along with my jokes, do anti-drug messages, respect your elders. I am finishing up a book for youth called, “Grown-Ups Are Failures…So Listen To ‘em.” I perform at colleges (let’s prepare for the future and not lose our ability to have fun), corporate [events] (teamwork and management skills), youth [events] (Making your Youth work for you, talk about the “Great Hollywood Hoax” that deals with truth in the media), clubs, churches (Outreach, Gospel…Sharing the Lamb without the Ram), festivals, concerts, and I have even performed in a person’s living room. God is great in all the places I perform, and because I am “clean,” people approach me and ask me why I perform clean comedy. I then am able to share with them why. And some have come to understand the “why” and accept it as the way they will from then on live their lives. It’s pretty awesome.

Q: Your wife is well-known female Christian comedian Kerri Pomarolli. When performing together, especially for younger audiences, what are the dynamics between the two of you as comedians, and how do you both develop an act that can inspire and provoke insight for your teenage audiences?

A: We perform well together. We are comedians who travel solo and perform, but when God blesses us we do perform together, and it is awesome. We usually each do some time alone, and then we come together for a big finale. I love working with Kerri; she is hilarious, has great timing, is very quick-witted and has a smile that would light up an eclipse. Please go to www.KerriPom.com to see the greatest influence in my comedy career. (She also edits my interview answers). Our act is pretty much a really funny testimony. We talk about how we grew up, got married, and how, if it weren’t for God then we wouldn’t be having the last laugh now.

Q: What is it like working with Kerri on your on-line reality television show, “I Love Kerri?”

A: It’s a lot of fun. Seriously, she is a very talented comedian as well as actress. She challenges me to keep up with her rapid paced improvisations. It’s about us not having any home improvement-type skills and how Kerri keeps trying to get me to do stuff - just like real life except with cameras. You got to check it out at www.IloveKerri.tv. We’ve

got webisodes, blogs, and pictures of Kerri and I. Originally, it was going to be called I Love Ron, but I was out voted 1 to 1.

Q: Tell us a funny or interesting anecdote about the progress of your career, married life, or your audiences’ reactions to your comedy routine.

A: So many stories so little time.

I use my mother in my act; she’s just a funny character. She’s this 4 feet tall Korean woman who could stare down Darth Vader and then make him the best chicken soup he ever ate. I was at her home with some comedian friends and we were sitting around telling stories, and my mom realizes I’m talking about her a lot. So she says, “I know some funny joke too. Ron’s wet the bed until he’s twelve. HahaHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!”

When Kerri and I got married, at the reception I had to make some sort of speech. I said, “I just want to thank you all for coming out to bless Kerri and me on this special day. To my saved friends and family I want to say thanks for the prayers. And to my unsaved friends and family…” I point right at Kerri and say, “Now do you believe in God?”

Q: You are an accomplished screenwriter, stand-up comedian, actor, and inspirational speaker; is there something you have not yet done, that you would like to pursue in the future?

A: I would like to produce film and television projects and have my own production company. When you act, you read someone else’s lines. When you write, they pay you for what you’ve written and then they can change anything they want. When you produce, you develop, market it, and sell it. You control everything. All the content and message you put out is yours. I want to make films that can make you laugh, cry, and know Christ more, and all the while entertain you.

Kerri and I will be coming out in a documentary called “Hollywood on Fire.” It shows Christians in Hollywood. You can see the trailer on my website. www.FunnyRon.com

S. Papadopoulos: Thank you very much Mr. McGehee for this insightful interview, and for allowing our readers into your life as a comedian and Christian. I wish you the best in your future endeavors, and I hope to catch your act at a comedy club near my city (San Jose, Ca). God bless you.