Tunde Adewale is regarded as the first Nigerian comedian to stage a one man standup comedy concert in July 2000. But unknown to many, he started out acting on stage.
Popularly known as Tee A, he speaks with OVWE MEDEME on life on the home front and the comedy scene.
TWELVE years on, what has been your staying power?
It has been up and down. Sometimes we go off air for a couple of seasons and then we come back; but for me, the staying power has been the love that viewers have shown the programme when we are not on air or when we repeat episodes. When people notice that we are repeating episodes, they keep sending messages, wondering what has been happening. That, more than anything, has been a major catalyst for staying.
As someone who has been there from the beginning, how would you say comedy has fared?
I started quite early, so obviously there is a bit of experience there. It is growing. New comedians are coming in and the established ones are trying to do things to better their art and contribute more to the development of the industry. The main thing for us is how to make it bigger. How do we get more appreciation for comedians and for the industry? The way I think it would go, which is where we are all working towards now, is to diversify into other areas of comedy.
People have for a long time, seen us as just stand up comedians. Now because we are putting up shows, they are seeing us as business men, as entrepreneurs. Now we have TV shows, they are seeing that there is a business side of comedy. Some of us are doing radio shows. Comedy is huge. We have not even explored a tenth of its potential in Nigeria. A lot of emphasis is put on music by the various brands except a few. Over time, I think, we would only get better.
Do you at any point feel like the up and coming comedians will edge you out?
It is even a joy having more people coming into the industry. The issue of someone edging someone out is so random and so archaic because the sky is massive. Do you know how many planes takeoff on a daily basis or how many birds fly? With comedy, it is a case of the more the merrier. There are times I even feel bad for our clients. Sometimes, they want me and I am not available. Then they ask me to suggest someone else and that person too is not available. These people really need our services and there is no one to do the job. There is still room for more competent comedians and MCs.
Other aspects of entertainment have associations. Have you comedians thought about setting up a uniting body?
One thing I would tell you is that even with all those Guilds, I can bet almost my last kobo that those other bodies are still not as united as the Nigerian comedians. We all see ourselves as brothers. There is absolutely no competition anywhere. Recently, almost all of us were at MC Abbey’s album launch. I am sure almost every comedian will tell you the same thing.
We are all our brother’s keeper. We are always there for each other. That is why someone can call me and I am booked and I will call someone to do it. These are things we do for each other and it has become a part and parcel of us. The fact that we don’t have a formally registered organisation does not mean that we don’t have close association with each other. We have actually tried to do a formal organisation but schedules have been very tight. Once in a while though, we gather together just to discuss. We are just brothers in the comedy industry.
Why haven’t you considered going into acting like some of your colleagues?
Acting is something that personally, I am very passionate about. I started out acting on stage. I was properly trained. It is something that is a part of me. I can do it with my eyes closed. I have just not had the time to explore. But a couple of us have come together, especially those of us with a theatre background to do something. So very soon, we will be doing something.
I cannot tell you what it is or how it would go but definitely, we would do something. We have also noticed that there are different sorts of classifications that people see us as comedians and MCs. There are those that do television; there are those that do radio. There is nothing different. It is all the same talent and I can tell you, a couple of us are talented actors.
Do you write your jokes or you pay people to write them for you?
I would have even loved to employ people who would be writing my jokes but some people don’t see it that way. That is why I said the industry is big, there are lots of potentials. I would love to write for comedians because I know that I write well, from my theatre background.
Everybody wants to be in front of the stage so we don’t even have the time to specialise in certain areas. I personally create my jokes. I read a lot. That is one thing I learnt from Ali Baba. For me, there is a market for comedy writers. People who are talented but are too shy to face the cameras should explore that.
How do you make time for family?
Even though I am one very vibrant person, my wife will tell you that if I am not working, I am at home sleeping. That is me. Once I am not working, once I don’t have anything important doing, I won’t leave my house.
Will you stop any of your kids from doing comedy?
Since nobody tried to stop me, why would I stop any of my kids? If anyone decides whatever they want to do, even if it is not comedy, so long as they are happy with it and they know it is precisely what they want to do, I will support them.
Even if it is against the law?
None of my kids will try to do anything against the law. Their father has never tried it, neither would they.
Did you at any point consider a white collar job?
Never! God forbid.
What do you have against white collar jobs?
Nothing; it is just not me. I love the looks. Most people when they see me perform at corporate events, they think I work with the company. White collar job is definitely not for me. You can’t pin me down.
Do you have any vice?
My wife will tell you that my vice, which she hates, is work. Even my friends will tell you I am a workaholic. I can work 24/7 without food and water. That is me. It is not something I do consciously because I am so into what I am doing. There is no time for food. I don’t see it as a vice but people have been telling me that it is bad. Even my mother complains. I love to work and I believe that if you work hard, you will reap the fruits. I believe that work will not kill me. Rather, I will retire early and I will have a lot to fall back on.
At what age do you hope to retire?
When I say retire, it is not to stop holding the Mic. Retirement to me means that the company or the businesses are strong enough to run on their own and then I can focus just on doing MCs and comedy all over the world.
It would appear you are very attached to your wife…
Everybody knows she is my best friend. We are like five and six.
How long have you been together?
That is like jamb question because we have been married for seven years now. Before that, we dated for five years but before we started dating, we had known for five years.
Even as friends, did you know she would be the one?
No, I didn’t. We were in school together and I just liked her because she is a twin. We got along. The twin sister was my friend. I go to visit them in their room. It wasn’t until five years later that I asked her out. I liked her person. She is the cool calm and always smiling lady. So I took her out and we became close friends. Five years later, we decided to see if the relationship will work. It worked for five years and then we got married.
Being a twin, did she at any point try to prank you with her sister?
Even from the first day, I could tell the difference. The twin is very serious but my wife will smile at anybody at any point in time.
