Dressing poorly is not funny

Teacher Wanjiku

That Kenyan stand-up comedy has grown is not in doubt, and so has the fashion sense of the funnymen.

But we still have the occasional lapse into the nascent days of Black Angels, when comedy was more about how buffoonish you were.

Being zany meant being the most ludicrous and clown-like character in the silliest costume, not necessarily about the amount of guffaws your punchlines elicited.

That seemed to be the script of Teacher Wanjiku, to look oafish in ridiculous outfits, peppered with a heavily accented denigration of Kiswahili language, that to her credit, did crack quite some ribs.

But should comedy be driven by how scruffy and ungroomed a humorist seems to be?

The Zangalewa Troupe might have been hilarious in their portrayal of an extremely portly chap playing the witless fool, but that now just comes across as facetious.

Really, where is the joke in padded posteriors and outmoded provincial administration uniforms?

I bet most lovers of comedy would rather choke on the punchy material of a Chris Rock in his characteristic clean line dark suits than the sappy delivery of the Kreative Generation duo.

May be it is just because comedy and fashion are in a water-and-oil kind of relationship and just cannot mix. Imagine the middling jokes of Smart Joker that are complimented by a smattering of laughter from a nonchalant audience.

Now, imagine the uproarious reaction if he were to step on stage in a well-cut, fine suit.

That is what would probably set him apart and he would definitely be the butt of all jokes.

Apparently, dressy comics who dare to don more than frayed T-shirts and stressed jeans should be ready to turn their clothes into a joke!

As Phoebe Robinson, the New York-based comedienne and writer once observed, showing up to a gig looking camera-ready is “akin to wearing makeup to the gym.”

And you still wonder why there is nary a fashion icon in comedy?

Granted, stand-up comedians have earned a free style pass, particularly if they are funny.

But should we not hold Klint da Drunk to account to drop the cockamamie outfits and routines, or call out Chipukeezy for his blindingly bright, primary-coloured clothes and obvious cluelessness on matters fashion?

Or is it that comedy is about poking fun at self, others and events by a storyteller who prefers the underdog’s role, and therefore does not require a gagman to dress up for a gig?

Probably, being slickly styled may mean a comedian is taking himself too seriously and open himself to ridicule for trying too hard.

Of course there is the matter of getting into character, such that the droll that is Jalang’o Mwenye in a ridiculous green suit and leopard print shirt is not necessarily the “bouncing” Felix Odiwuor alter ego, whose love for an all-white look is baffling.

I hope this is the case for female comedians like Zeddy with her characteristic ankle-long flaring skirts and prudish headgear.

If that is her idea of a stage costume rather than an expression of her suave style, then go her!

To their advantage, comediennes who cannot make the right fashion choice, even when not trying to be funny, can always use their over-the-top uniforms not only as visual punchlines, but also as a way of skirting criticisms that may be directed at their looks!

Churchill aka Daniel Ndambuki became a local fashion icon of sorts following the success of Churchill Show, much like the snappy Trevor Noah who is taking over from the Girogio Armani-suited Jon Stewart in The Daily Show.

That is probably what has inspired his protégés like YY in fitted suits and slim ties — though this comic needs to understand the difference between fitted and tight — David the Student and even Sleepy, all of whom have proven that you can be dapper and funny at the same time, and not just because you have a hooked nose like Russell Peters!

I just hope these upcoming stars would not slip into Churchill’s and MC Jessy’s new-found love for what can best be described as flight-attendant uniforms!

Twitter: @omondipaul