I like to look at things from a skewed angle – Bovi

Weekend Magazine: How did you start comedy?Bivi Ugboma: I would say that comedy found me rather than me finding it. It is something that has always come naturally to me as an actor a standup comic and writer. I studied Theatre Arts at the Delta State University and this gave me room to polish it. […]

Weekend Magazine: How did you start comedy?
Bivi Ugboma: I would say that comedy found me rather than me finding it. It is something that has always come naturally to me as an actor a standup comic and writer. I studied Theatre Arts at the Delta State University and this gave me room to polish it. It was, however, incubated for a very long time before I eventually let it out.
What’s your take on the general assumption that all comedians are from Warri?
I think it is so, because to a very large extent… if you trace the history of comedy in Nigeria back, Warri is like a melting point. There are various tribes apart from its own three major tribes – Urhobo, Itsekiri and Ijaw. They did not hold on to the town saying, ‘na we get am’ [sic]. There are a lot of other tribes – Isoko, Yoruba, Edo, Ibo and so many more. The lingua franca became Pidgin English. It was the language for everybody.
I have absolutely no idea how the literary device became infused in the language. We conjugate our verbs differently.
How do you get ideas for your jokes?
I’ll give it first and foremost to God. The talent has been given to me. I like to read wide, watch news and take a keen interest in everything that happens around me. I also like to analyse things from a skewed angle.  Putting all these together gives me so much to work on for comedy.
You’ve done standup, television and stage comedy. How did you make the transition and how effectively have they worked for you?
People knew me on television before stage. I felt breaking into standup comedy would be difficult. So I used television as a selling point. I decided to do my TV programmes so that I’m recognized. This is what I did.
Which has proved to be most selling point for you?
They both have their own strengths as well as their own uniqueness. It’s just that I’ve been blessed to try them both out.
So far what would say has been the climax of your career?
(Laughter) come on now, that would mean I am dying tomorrow. But seriously, I do not think that I have yet achieved the things I desire to.  I have lofty dreams and in my own estimation and calculation, this is only the beginning. I am not celebrating anything yet.
What would you describe as the most significant thing that comedy has done to you?
It has made me a much better person. Not that I was bad before but the influence has been immensely positive.  I’m a more functional human being. I am happy that I am touching lives. It gives me great joy that people want to listen to what I have to say.  When I started, I said to myself, ‘I do not want to only make people laugh’. I want them to be able to have a lesson in spite of the fact that I have discovered that it is hard to teach with comedy.   This fusion is what I have worked at for years and I think that it is now beginning to rip dividends.
Do you have a particular interest in the themes you choose or things you preach and want to teach about?
Primarily, that would be social change. I like for us to through my comedy learn that we can be better Nigerians. Even when I ridicule or satirise, I try my best to balance it out.  I try to let my audience know that there is a ray of hope if we do certain things. I also try not to lose the comedic element because first and foremost, people want to laugh. What is primary is for me to make them laugh and what is secondary is that a message is hidden somewhere. So, when they go home they are like, ‘this guy said something vital in his joke’ and they can ponder over it.  I like to talk about women. Maybe it’s because I grew up among so many of them. It comes to me easily, just talking about women.
Do you have to rehearse before going on stage or   you just appear on stage and do your thing?
No I don’t do that. What I do is like a mental preparation because comedy is, unlike other art forms, doesn’t have a set stage. You can get up there and things change. You can get there and a completely different response from your audience that you didn’t expect. They are of different cultural orientations, religions and all that. So, you then have to be careful, because it could be very didactic. You cannot say ‘this is my template’, ‘this is who I am’. Yes people will know who you; however, you must be like them in your delivery.
Have you had any disappointments in the course of your work?
Hmmm, I have. But thinking about it, it wasn’t that bad and also I try not to dwell on such experiences. There have been those moments when the wrong joke was cracked. (Laughter)
Asides comedy and acting, what else do you do?
I’m a writer, a content producer. I have two sitcoms on TV and with time I am going to start doing movies. I don’t want to rush into it, because it is a big budget.
One of your works that has gone widely viral involves Basketmouth and  Buchi and you trying to chase a lady who disappoints you all with her English as she asks, ‘What I do’?…
(Laughter) Yes I remember that. When I ran it by Basketmouth and Buchi, it didn’t have that end. It was supposed to be me soiling my shirt and Buchi walking into the pool. I didn’t quite know how to finish it or bring in Basketmouth.  That’s how I came up with ‘All That Glitters Isn’t Gold’, which is what it eventually turned out to be.
Which of your jokes has been the most difficult for you to bring to fruition?
That’s a tough one. I really can’t say. Every joke is unique. Every joke is like my child. I love them all equally. The deciding factor for me is the audience. There are some jokes that will be funny in Abuja and not funny in Lagos or Warri. There are jokes that will be funny in Warri and not in Abuja.  There is no global joke for me. There are a few, but I try not emphasize them.
Who is Bovi when he’s not a comedian?
He is a simple guy. A shy one too who is also an everyday person. I like to lead a normal life and I’m not interested in glitz and glamour.
Are you really  able to avoid the glitz and glamour?
I try; especially with fans. It’s like a responsibility and I should live up to their expectations. I try to be a role model, to lend a listening ear.
Photos: www.bovitv.com