Comedians are not stupid; I have a Degree - DKB

Ghana's King of Comedy, Derrick Kobina Bonney, popularly known in entertainment circles as DKB, has entreated Ghanaians to stop tagging comedians as mere jokers.

He told Odeefuo, host of Atinka Showbiz, on Saturday that a comedian is one who talks about important and topical issues in humorous ways. He said comedians are smart and brilliant people who take stress off their audience through humour. He said the fact he makes people laugh doesn't mean he is stupid, pointing out that he has a degree.

DKB added that Ghanaians have a penchant for seeing comedians as stupid, simply because they make them laugh. He said he does not respond well to Ghanaians who see him in town and make fun of him because he is a comedian. For this reason, he added some Ghanaians say he is arrogant, which is not a true reflection of his real self. "I want to be taken seriously when it’s about business," he said.

The one- time Ghana's Big Brother rep mentioned comedians, KSM and Fritz Baffuor as persons who have created a good image for themselves as comedians. KSM he noted, meddles in political and national issues because he understood the limits in comedy and Fitz Baffour who contested and won his way to Parliament after several years of comedy. DKB stressed, "I won't give you the chance to tag me unserious because I do comedy and therefore you won't listen to me when it comes to serious issues."

He indicated that when he is on stage, he does everything to please his audience but when the show is over, he does everything to make sure that he is seen as a serious person. He blamed some pioneers in the industry for failing to draw a fine line between comedy and real life issues.

DKB maintained that unlike David Oscar who quit comedy for singing, his fans and family are what keep him going.

The comedian promised fans a show of a lifetime in his much talked about 'One man show,' which will be staged at the National Theatre some two weeks away. He disclosed that the event will be a night of massive entertainment as popular musicians like EL and Edem will be there to grace the occasion with good music.

He added other comedians will also offer support.