Sketchfest Q&As Pt 2: Reggie Watts

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Their backgrounds are as different as their comedy styles, but Jamie Kilstein and Reggie Watts should give dynamic, thought-provoking, and hilarious performances this week when they hit the Punch Line with Mary Van Note as part of Sketchfest. Kilstein is a subversive political comic who addresses social issues with insight, depth, and sharp comedic timing. Watts is a musical comedian who matches humor and beat boxing for a show unlike anything you've seen.

SF Weekly was lucky enough to snag Kilstein and Watts for a Q & A session before their shows (tonight at 8 p.m., and Friday at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.). Below is Part 2 of the Q&A, with the Brooklyn-based Watts, whose subversive act is so raw he's won multiple awards, including the Andy Kaufman Award in 2006. He has also appeared on The Jimmy Fallon Show, various Comedy Central shows, and has headlined at major comedy festivals worldwide.

How would you describe your style of comedy?
Non-linear improvised comedy. A lot of anti- jokes - jokes that I subvert the idea or the structure of jokes either by not completing them or not concluding them in the way they should be concluded. Just setting up something or dropping it. I don't really have jokes necessarily, mostly just stupid shit, stupid and weird shit.

What do you like about doing comedy?
When you've been doing it long enough, it's not just about hearing people laugh, it's about challenging yourself - trying to be as natural as you can and have fun. Having fun, that's really the ultimate job. If you're not having fun then people don't have fun out there.

When did you commit to being a comedian?
Probably about five or six years ago. I was in Seattle and I started going to NY because I was in a band called Soulive. When I was out there I would check out the comedy nights. A performance friend of mine introduced me to Eugene Mirman.