Humor Column: The Urban Erma by Leighann Lord: Learning from a Living Legend

By Leighann Lord

There are almost no words to describe what it felt like to watch my comedy idol, Franklyn Ajaye, take the stage Sunday night at the Laugh Lounge in New York City. I’ve been a fan of his even before I became a stand-up comedian. Most people remember Franklyn from the movie Car Wash, but I recall his comedy album, Don’t Smoke Dope, Fry Your Hair.

I recommend his book, Comic Insights, to young comedians all the time. It’s a useful compendium of his advice coupled with interviews with other stand-up icons like Richard Belzer, Bill Maher, and Ellen DeGeneres discussing the craft of comedy.

While I didn’t get to see George Carlin live, I did see Bill Cosby at Radio City Music Hall. He sat down in an easy chair, center stage, and the next two hours flew joyously by. I’ve had a chance to meet and work with a lot of great comics such as: Tommy Davidson, David Alan Grier, Chris Rock, George Wallace and Kathy Ladman, but Franklyn is different.

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