When does humor soften a pandemic?
Vinny Thomas is a delightful comedian and armchair naturalist based in Chicago who has created insightful, hilarious videos across social platforms. He was formerly a member of Second City’s house improv ensemble “Twisty” and a frequent performer on a variety of other local stages. He has also joined the iconic staff of NPR’s Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me as a guest writer. Since the pandemic (perhaps you’ve heard of it), Thomas has created videos on social media that feature aliens, animals, and even the occasional vegetable. A fan favorite has been “The Galactic Federation interviews Earth for membership” piece that resonated with many in 2020.
Goldie Chan: How did you start using social media with your comedy pieces?
Thomas: Before c*vid kind of forced me online, I didn’t really see social media as anything viable. To me, going viral was just this kind of amorphous, unattainable thing that happened to people I would never meet. So, when I started posting bits, it was just a way to share my work with the people in my circle who I would normally be sharing a stage with in Chicago.
Chan: You’ve developed quite a few popular videos. What has been your favorite one and why?
Thomas: My Kentucky Derby video is up there. Just a gender-defying, ambiguously southern person having a small existential crisis over a palomino mare. I genuinely wish that the situation I describe in that video had happened to me in real life.
Chan: What is your process for putting together your still image or video comedic pieces?
Thomas: I’ll usually just talk in character for a couple minutes and pull what I like. I try to leave in the gaps that I would naturally leave in if I was performing live, which helps, I think.
Chan: What would be your dream brand collaboration or dream venue to do comedy in?
Thomas: Dream brand? Oh boy, probably National Geographic? Perhaps a hair product company? Or Zilla? The sky is the limit.
My dream venue? Jabba’s palace.
Chan: Any advice for other comedians looking to grow their brands on social media?
Thomas: Do what you like doing and don’t get into debates with people who don’t even have a profile picture. You might as well be arguing with a chicken breast, no offense.
Thomas’ hilariously relevant content can be found on Twitter, Instagram and Tiktok.
