Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ed Hill. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ed, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

My upcoming one-hour comedy special titled “Stupid Ed”. It is a follow up show to my first comedy special, “Candy & Smiley” on Amazon Prime. Comprised of introspections about Ed’s relationships with the female figures in his life, this show explores the values that I, a first-generation Taiwanese Canadian immigrant, have learned from my motherland, Canada. Unlike most comedy specials, it is both a heartwarming and heartbreaking story about self-acceptance. It is a close examination on the meaning of strength, a genuine reflection on the concept of fragility, and an honest observation on what connects all of us: Love.

Ed, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am originally from Taiwan. I immigrated to Vancouver, British Columbia, thinking I was on vacation at my dad’s discretion. I did not know being on vacation involved paying taxes.

As a comedian, I became the first comedian of Taiwanese-Canadian descent to release a full one hour comedy special titled “Candy & Smiley” with Comedy Dynamics in 2021. The special was named “Top 15 Comedy Specials of 2021” by Paste Magazine and “Best of 2021” by NPR Radio. The special is currently streaming worldwide on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.

I became a comedian because I was nobody to everybody. In Taiwan, I was Canadian. In Canada, I am Taiwanese, Comedy has been the medium for me to find my identify and tell my story the way I want to. My father has also taught me that if you are going to do something, you do it all the way. He doesn’t mean don’t quit, because sometimes in life you just have to cut your losses. What he meant was if you are going do it, participate. Participate all the way. With your mind, with your body, and with your soul.

Comedy is my all the way. It has allowed me to fully participate in being who I am.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

My dad has always taught me that the most valuable thing you can give somebody is your time, because you can never get that back. I am always grateful that people are willing to spend an evening of their life listening to my stories. Many performers, myself included, sometimes become resentful or bitter because maybe a show is not well attended, or a critic has given us a bad review. What we tend to forget, is that in both of those scenarios, a person, or a number of people have given us their time that they can never get back. Them liking or disliking what we do, is irrelevant. They have already given us the most valuable thing that they have.

Time is its on reward, especially when someone has chosen to give it to you.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

About three years into performing stand up comedy, I decided to take my material on the road. I performed shows in Boston and Los Angeles at a number of festivals and showcases.

I bombed for 14 consecutive shows.

What I quickly realized was that my material was far from universal. Nobody could connect with me on any level. It was a difficult moment, as I had to trash all my material I had at the time, and I had to start over.

However, as painful it was, that was also the moment I realized that the only constant in my life was one thing: me. Doesn’t matter where I am in the world, I am the only factor that never changes. As a result, I began to go inward and created comedy that was introspective, personal, and intimate. I’m not saying this was easy, but nothing worth something is ever easy.

I remember calling my wife on the phone at the end of the 14 show bomb streak, and asking her if I was delusional. She said, “You’re not delusional, you just really suck”. It was the best insight that I ever received. It forced me to face reality and come to full acceptance. If you want to change something, you better look at what is in front of you.

As a result, I have became the comedian I am today, and I am happy to announce I’m now just straight-up delusional.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://kingedhill.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/kingedhill
• Facebook: http://facebook.com/kingedhill
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/kingedhill
• Youtube: http://youtube.com/kingedhill
• Other: Son of Smiley Podcast: http://sonofsmiley.com

Image Credits
Brandon Hart