FF native appearing on Comedy Central

Published Thursday, March 20, 2008

Photo by Photo Provided

Fergus Falls native Chad Daniels will be featured on Comedy Central Friday.

Chad Daniels is one of those people who’s known his profession since childhood.

“I always wanted to be a comic, ever since I was a little kid,” he said. “When other kids were answering ‘firefighter’ and ‘police officer,’ I was saying ‘comic.’”

With more than 10 years in comedy, Daniels’ latest venture is a spot on “Comedy Central Presents,” a show that will feature 30 minutes of his stand-up when it airs at 9 p.m. Friday.

Daniels is no stranger to the comedy scene. After graduating from Fergus Falls High School in 1993, Daniels moved to California before settling in Minneapolis. He got his start performing during open mic nights at Acme Comedy Company, and later enjoyed a six-month stint as the house emcee at the Westward Ho Comedy Gallery in Grand Forks. He has performed at venues across the country and on television, making appearances on CBS’ “The Late Late Show” and Comedy Central’s “Live at Gotham” in 2004.

Daniels says he gets his material from his family and his experiences in everyday life. Sometimes it is simply a matter of pointing out the ridiculous or obnoxious situations in life that others don’t dare bring up.

“It’s just what I think a lot of people want to say but can’t because their boss is looking over their shoulder,” he said, explaining that because he has no supervisor, he’s got more freedom to express his opinions.

“Comedy Central Presents” has featured well-known comics like Lewis Black, Dane Cook and Wanda Sykes, among others. Daniels’ seven-minute “Live at Gotham” performance qualified him for the half-hour program, where he’ll give his classic material some airtime.

“These are just jokes I’ve been doing for awhile and wanted to get on TV and retire,” he said.

Daniels continues to perform at colleges, theaters and comedy clubs around the country, though he plans to spend the summer at home in Fergus Falls with his wife, Jessica, and their children. Daniels performed at the opening of the Bigwood Event Center in 2001 and during last year’s Frostbite Festival.