Comedy is Serious Business

If you don't believe it, ask Andy Parks. Before he ever takes the stage in Grand Country Music Hall's Comedy Jamboree, he and Master of Ceremonies Justin Sifford have been above, below, inside, outside and all around the topic of what makes people laugh.

“Some people are born to do math,” Parks muses. “Some are born to be nurturers. And some are just born to be funny.”

But even if you are naturally funny, Parks says, you've got to consider your audience — and in Branson, that audience can include everyone from teenagers on spring break to families with children to Comedy Jamboree's 2,000-plus season pass holders, who know every word of the show — or think they do. The real challenge right now, he says, is the teens and 20-somethings who were raised on short content — like TikTok reels — and former prisoners of the pandemic who have gotten used to watching TV while scrolling their phones. Both of these audiences are challenging, Parks admits, but fast-paced, audience-interactive comedy — with music in between skits — seems to get and hold their attention.

Parks says he's discovered everyone likes what he calls "family insult comedy."

"If you can find the family that loves to laugh and pick on each other, or you find the one family member they all pick on, you've got the whole crowd," he says, laughing himself. "Everybody has an Uncle Jim or a Cousin Ted, and that helps them let down their guard and laugh.

"It's just pure fun, ribbing, and I'll make sure at intermission I talk to them and thank them for being willing to laugh at themselves."

It's how Parks grew up.

"My whole life I've been a student of comedy," he says. "My dad is the funniest person I've ever met. He was a teacher, and he had this great way of engaging all the students and all the staff. He'd go into a room and light it up."

His father, Parks says, "has a pinky finger that doesn't exist, but he's told so many stories that I have no idea how he lost it! So he's an improv master. That was my intro."

Parks studied theater, both in college and by watching masters of the art like Jim Carrey, whom he calls one of his biggest influences.

"I got my first taste of doing improv in theater class and instantly fell in love," he remembers. "You mean we can create and make fun and not have to remember any lines? I'm in!"

Parks worked in TV, theater and film, including a stint in Los Angeles, then moved to Branson, where he's been with Grand Country Music Hall for two decades. As a producer now, he says he tries to give audiences "a small nugget of what's inside my brain. Even I can't handle all of it!"

The secret to successful comedy, Parks says, is honesty. He hearkens back to a skit on "The Carol Burnett Show" where Tim Conway played the oldest man in the world — and sidekick Harvey Korman couldn't keep from laughing.

"Conway was absolutely committed to the truth of being the oldest man in the world," Parks says. "He moved like it didn't matter that they were filming this! If you do everything from a place of honesty, you'll get the laughs. Honesty about being ridiculous is really funny. It takes it home for me."

The new Comedy Jamboree opening Feb. 25 will include a lot of new material, Parks says, but it'll still start with some old standbys — picking out an audience member and making up a song about them or bringing a couple onstage. In that skit, he and Sifford will control the narrative as ventriloquists while "we do a little onstage family therapy," again returning to his belief that what's real in life is funny on stage.

What's new this year is more comedy in the musical interludes. "It is the comedy 'jamboree,'" Parks says. "So the music should be eye or ear pleasing in the comedy realm. We have amazingly talented singers, an amazingly talented band, and this year, they'll get to show off some of their comedy chops, too."

As an example, Parks talks about a "Yacht Rock" medley he says he'd been polishing even before he knew the musical genre was trendy. Yacht Rock is pop rock, mostly from the 1970s, "feel good" songs, Parks says, like "Dancing in the Moonlight," "Islands in the Stream," songs by Stevie Nicks and Christopher Cross, and it's one of the hottest stations on Pandora.

"I just thought it would be fun to do," he says. "People just want to go to a better place, you know? It's a 10-minute segment, and I wish it could be longer."

Justin Sifford, Parks' partner on stage, says Comedy Jamboree is certainly not Branson’s traditional “country” humor. He calls what happens during a performance "completely organic" and a lot of fun for the comics. But he agrees it's not easy, and they have to "come out swinging" every show.

“You’ve got to be at the top of your game,” he says, laughing himself. “You’re putting it all out there, and you run the risk of failing badly. But I look forward to because it’s challenging.”

"Every show we do is different, even if it starts with the same material," Parks adds. "It all depends on audience engagement."

“I think people outside looking in wonder how hard can comedy be? Well, try it," Sifford says. "And then you tell me. I’ve got a college degree; I’m physically able to do most anything; I could be trained to to do most anything. But nobody can be trained to do what we do. Comedy is timing. It’s delivery. Either you have it or you don’t. I emcee, I do comedy, I sing — and I try every day to give 110 percent for those two hours.”

What Parks can promise is that Comedy Jamboree will be clean.

“Someone will always be offended, and someone will always think it’s hilarious,” he says. “We’re not doing other people’s jokes; we’re making it up. We’ll shock them into laughter, tickle them into laughter, comfort them into laughter. Comedy should be an experience that takes you out of the theater and out of the sorrow, the sadness, the pain, the frustration, to where you can see a little light at the end of the tunnel.”

In addition to Comedy Jamboree, currently on stage at 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday with 7:30 p.m. shows Wednesdays through February, Grand Country Music Hall also offers:

Grand Jubilee — This is where audiences fall in love with Grand Country performers and make the choice to come back again and again! With the quartet New South and The Rhinestone Mafia centerstage, the show has won “Entertainers of the Year,” “Branson’s Best Show,” “Branson’s Best Variety Show,” “Quartet of the Year,” “Comedian of the Year,” “Emcee of the Year” and more. You’ll hear Top 40, country & gospel classics, and rock ‘n’ roll hits from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, all seasoned with comedy by Jamie Haage. Grand Jubilee is on stage four nights a week through February — Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The full six-day-a-week schedule resumes in March.

Pets & Giggles — Whether you’ve got kids of all ages or you’re just young at heart, you’ll love Pets & Giggles, filled with games, skits and the cutest dogs in Branson showing off their speed, agility, teamwork and trust. You might also find yourself a star of the show as audience members get in on the hilarious adventures. Showtimes are 10 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Ozarks Gospel — With the sweet harmonies of Tammy, Tonya and Jamie Bilyeau, you can’t find a better way to celebrate the Lord on Sunday. Showtime is 2 p.m. Sundays starting March 1, and Ozarks Country, celebrating country classics of yesteryear combined with today’s hot country hits, returns at 7 p.m. Sundays, starting March 15.

New South Gospel — Branson’s fan-favorite quartet, New South, will return with all of your gospel favorites on April 2. Grand Country Music Hall spokeswoman Heleena Campbell promises the show will lift your spirits with music that has resounded through the Ozarks for years. “From backyard family gospel sings to little country church choirs, there’s nothing like the hope and inspiration a good old gospel song can bring to your soul,” she says. Also joining the show will be Tracy Heaston, Jackie Brown, Jim Dandy, and the award-winning Grand Band puts the icing on this incredible gospel showcase.

Down Home Country — If you’re a fan of classic country and clean, clever comedy, Down Home Country is your kind of show, featuring Grammy-nominated, Emmy Award-winning Billy Yates. This feel-good favorite blends timeless country hits with warm storytelling, rich harmonies, and just the right dose of down-home humor. Campbell promises you’ll leave with a full heart, a big smile, and maybe a tune or two stuck in your head. Down Home Country returns April 15.

Find out more and make your reservations at grandcountrylivemusic.com.

Spring Break

At Grand Country

Branson's Grand Country Resort, home of Grand Country Music Hall, is offering a spring break package available March 5 through May 20. Ideal for families looking for a multi-activity getaway with lodging, waterpark fun, entertainment, food, and games all bundled together, package highlights include:

• Lodging — Two nights accommodation in a standard double-queen room at the resort.

• Waterpark Access — Passes to the Splash Country Indoor Waterpark for your family.

• Activities & Entertainment — Indoor go-kart tickets for the family on the Mountain Ridge Racer track; mini-golf, with indoor or black-light options; two large one-topping pizzas plus a Fun Spot game card to enjoy arcade fun.

• Show Tickets — Good for family-friendly performances like Pets & Giggles and Comedy Jamboree at Grand Country Music Hall.

Package prices start around $500. Find out more at grandcountry.com.