Laugh Factory Hiring Psychologists

We all know comedians for the way they make us laugh. Often times the reason they make us laugh is by taking their self destructive was and turn it into comedy. These dark personalities they have can turn dangerous over time. We have seen throughout the past years many comedians face an unwanted death because of these actions. These have included Greg Giraldo, Chris Farley, John Belushi among others.

To combat these unfortunate ends the owner of the Laugh Factory Jamie Masada has employed two clinical psychologists to help their comedians. The Laugh Factory is one of the most legendary spots in comedy where comedians from Jerry Seinfeld to Eddie Murphy have preformed. The psychologists will be at the club four nights a week where they will be available to all the comedians for free. Masada said about hiring the psychologists “Night after night, comedians can perform and get huge laughs, but they still have a little demon inside of them, with pain and tragedy on one side. Most of the comedians also come from some kind of tragedy.”

One of the biggest factors that weighed into the decision was the death of Greg Giraldo. Greg Giraldo was a close friend of Masada and he died of a medication overdoes in September of 2010.

It has been known for years that many comedians can be very sensitive to their surroundings. Often times their comedy acts come out of years and years of rejection from their peers and loved ones. Often times some of the most successful comedians are not the most beautiful people and this leads to some mental problems.

In Los Angeles clinical psychologist Dr. Tanya Jacob was supportive of the moves by the Laugh Factory. Jacob said “There is an undeniable link between comedians and clinical depression; the very wit that we take such pleasure in often comes from a darker view on life.”

The problem with comedy and depression is this self evaluation that many comedians go through is what makes them funny to many of us. As comedians speak about matters that many of us shy away from it can be a release for the audience. This laughter from the crowd just helps to build on the matter over the time and can lead to many comedians to become self destructive.

No comedian exampled this lifestyle more than the famous Richard Pryor. Pryor had a famous incident where he set himself on fire while freebasing cocaine and drinking 151-proof rum. He was found by cops running down the streets in Northridge, California before they could put him out and bring him to the hospital. This incident became one of the highlights of his final comedy act “Richard Pryor Live on the Sunset Strip”. Pryor was also married seven different times along with numerous other incidents that marked his past. He also was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006.

Richard Pryor is just one example of comedians and their darker sides. Hopefully the steps made by the Laugh Factory will be a move in the right direction.