Twenty One Questions (21Qs) with Todd Yohn

By Karen Jaffe

What we hope will be a regular feature on this site, we're asking comics to answer (and not think about) twenty-one random questions.  Some are about comedy, and some not so much.  All should offer some insight into some of your favorite comics.

Dubbed by Tom Griswold (of Bob & Tom) as "by far, the funniest live comedian show anyone will see," Todd Yohn is a comedy legend, and a longtime Dayton favorite.  We asked him to be our inaugural 21Qs subject, and he happily agreed.  Here's what he said:

1.  What do you love and/or hate about comedy?

What I love about it is that I can make people forget about their problems for 1 1/2 hours.   There's nothing that I really don't hate about it.

2.  If you could have dinner with three comics (living or dead), who would they be?

George Carlin

Robin Williams

Jonathan Winters

I already ate with Red Skelton, so he didn't make the list.

3.  If you had an alias, what would it be?

Darren Snarkstein

4.  Pancakes or waffles?

Waffles

5.  Have you ever pooped your pants as an adult?

Yes, I actually did it on stage in Buffalo, NY.  I tried to fart.  I had done it in the first show, and it made people laugh, so in the second show I tried it and it was a different texture entirely.  And I had twenty minutes left in my set.

6.  What is the weirdest gift you've ever gotten?

Crabs.

7.  If you suddenly got stage fright, and could never perform again, what would your dream job be?

Professional golfer

8.  What are you most afraid of?

Things that move really quick, like a mouse or a cockroach

9.  What TV show do you hate that you love to watch?

Say Yes to the Dress

10.  How are you at math?

Excellent

11.  What's the most spontaneous thing you've ever done?

Drove from Ohio to NC when I was 17

12.  What word do you wish more people used in casual conversation?

Fuck

13.  Which Halloween costume are you most proud of?

I did make up for me and my daughter; I painted a half skull on one side of her face, and a half skull on the other side of my face.  We put our heads together and superimposed a picture, and it looked like two halves of the same face.  It was really cool.

14.  Do you like sandwiches?

I LOVE sandwiches!  My favorite is bologna, ketchup, and potato chips. 

15.  On a scale from 1-10, how are you at frisbee?

I'm a 2.  It always sinks to the right.

16.  Are there any jokes you regret telling on stage?

No.  I tell comics this all the time.  Don't ever apologize for the joke, especially if there's no malice behind it.

17.  Please name your top three comedy clubs.

Wiley's in Dayton, because of my never-ending late show on Saturday.  People who come know exactly what they're getting, and it's so fun.

Mason City Limits in Illinois, because it's a small, intimate room, and I never do set material.  I just talk for two hours.

Looney Bin in Wichita, because I can't remember any shows I do there.

Fourth place would be any of the Hyena clubs in Texas. 

18.  If you were an animal, what would you be?

I would like to be a horse, because a horse can take a dump at a full gallop.

19.  Do you regret agreeing to this?

Not at all.

20.  What's your favorite road trip snack?

Jellybeans.  They keep me awake better than coffee.

21.  What advice would you give a brand new comic?

It's a new ballgame.  It's not about talent, it's based on persistence and networking.  Be polite and be open to learning.  Know that you don't know it all.