Watch

Using Comedy to Showcase Life's Beauty

Creator:
Published:
December 14, 2023
September 25, 2023
Watch how Christian comedian Ellis Aych connects with God in his work.

Ellis Aych has a passion for making people laugh, and doing stand-up is his way of doing that. Though he's great at what he does, Ellis believes laughter and joy come from something far beyond himself.

"But love, joy hope, strength that all comes from God. In the moments I want to give up, He reminds me who I am and what comedy does for me."

Video Transcript

Ellis Aych: I tell jokes. I feel like God uses me. Maybe not all the way. He uses me, but some stuff is like I can't...God's like, "Okay, I ain't co-signing that. You made that up. I'm glad you love me, but I didn't say it. That's a bad word. Don't do that."

MC: Ladies and gentlemen, it's Ellis Aych!

Ellis: Y'all ever thought about quitting your job during orientation? I'm talking about as soon as you in there, I'm like, "I don't think the Lord wanted me to do this."

We are heading to the show, my good guy. We about to go to Ellis and Friends. I'm headlining it. We done worked the 12-hour shift, man, and we're doing comedy. I started at shows with no material. I would generate about 30 minutes worth of material. A lady came up to me and said, "You're phenomenal. Do you do shows?" I said, "Yup."

[Standing in front of marquee sign] Hallelujah. Ya!

Nothing prepared. Nothing prepared at all. I will rehearse and rehearse and rehearse and rehearse and rehearse to the point it made it seem like I've been doing it for years. I believe in intention. I believe in the power of belief and it's all about the mindset.

[Performing on stage] This lady had anxiety. Now, ladies and gentlemen, I'm here to tell y'all, as a Black man, I'm not equipped for that. I don't know nothing about it. White people, you all go to therapy. Black folks, we go to sleep, okay? We either go to sleep or go to church as a last result.

To me, I feel as though God uses me to showcase the beauty in life.

Ellis Aych: The one, the only.

Speaker 2: What's going on guys?

Ellis Aych: I feel like laughter can be anything. And I do believe laughter is from God. Everything that is not giving, not loving, but just pain — that's man-made. But love, joy, hope, strength, it all comes from God. That comes from God. In the moments I want to give up, he reminds me who I am and what comedy does for me. Once you figure out what speaks to you and what is authentic to you, you will find your people, you will find your audience and you'll find your truth. And that's what comedy's about.

[Performing stand-up on stage] Every single person who died, they're in a better place. And I'm like, "Not all the time." I knew a girl whose uncle was on "To Catch a Predator." I know he ain't in a better place. I don't think you can meet Chris Hansen and Jesus at the same time.

The amount of rejections are immense, but when you finally get one, "yes," when you get one, "yes," it's everything. And I know he's looking out for me and I know he's guiding my steps. I'm just blessed beyond measure, and he's steady blessing me.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, thank you so much. I've been Ellis Aych. This has been Ellis and Fiends. Thank you for coming out. Y'all are phenomenal. And thank you.

Creators:
Grotto
Published:
December 14, 2023
September 25, 2023
On a related note...
An Alternative Option to Toxic Productivity in the World of Academia

An Alternative Option to Toxic Productivity in the World of Academia

Lauren Fritz

Don’t Forget to Love Your Neighbor in the Pandemic

Don’t Forget to Love Your Neighbor in the Pandemic

Brandy Norton

Juneteenth Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Juneteenth Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

Saint Joseph Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Saint Joseph Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

How (& How Not) to Help a Friend with Depression

How (& How Not) to Help a Friend with Depression

Julia Hogan-Werner

4 Mistakes We Make About Those with Down Syndrome

4 Mistakes We Make About Those with Down Syndrome

Kathryn O'Callaghan

How Dystopian Novels Make Me Appreciate Our Present World

How Dystopian Novels Make Me Appreciate Our Present World

Catherine Sullivan

Catholic Worker House Builds Community and Changes Lives

Catholic Worker House Builds Community and Changes Lives

Grotto

Sleep vs. FOMO: Every College Student’s Dilemma

Sleep vs. FOMO: Every College Student’s Dilemma

Julia Hogan-Werner

What to Know When Going Back to Mass on Christmas

What to Know When Going Back to Mass on Christmas

Josh Noem

Settling into a New City? Finding a Faith Community Can Help

Settling into a New City? Finding a Faith Community Can Help

Sara Thoms

The Best Part About Being an Aunt

The Best Part About Being an Aunt

Molly Cruitt

I ‘Believe’ in the Power of Ted Lasso’s Biscuits

I ‘Believe’ in the Power of Ted Lasso’s Biscuits

Carolyn Pirtle

What 'Fixer Upper' Can Teach Us About God's Will

What 'Fixer Upper' Can Teach Us About God's Will

Catherine Huss

First Day of Winter Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

First Day of Winter Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

Gardening: A Practice of Patience, a Place of Connection

Gardening: A Practice of Patience, a Place of Connection

Christina Baker

A reflective narrative by Christina Baker.

St. John the Apostle Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

St. John the Apostle Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

St. Francis Xavier Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

St. Francis Xavier Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

Dear Therapist: I Don’t Want to Be a Controlling Mom, But I Can’t Help It

Dear Therapist: I Don’t Want to Be a Controlling Mom, But I Can’t Help It

Grotto, Brya Hanan

Learning to Love My Body Through Exercise

Learning to Love My Body Through Exercise

Genevieve Lyons

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll meet you in your inbox each week.