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As the final act of the night, Syracuse University sophomore Tim Wong took to the stage, channeling his inner John Oliver. Inspired by the recent success of his favorite Emmy-award-winning comedian, Wong received the night’s loudest cheers, earning him University Union’s Comedy Knockout championship belt prize.

“I know my stuff’s pretty low-brow, but I think there’s something in it that’s relatable, because everyone’s kind of awkward in their own way and hard on themselves,” Wong said. “So let’s just kind of laugh at that together.”

University Union organizes comedy shows each semester to give a platform to aspiring student comics. This semester’s show, Comedy Knockout, featured host Macy Aiken and comedians Quinn Hendel, Alison Gerety, Sam Ryan, Jack Barsh and Wong. The comics showcased their variety of raw, unfiltered jokes on Friday evening in The Underground at Schine Student Center.

After each comedian performed their set, Aiken surveyed the audience by asking who their favorite comic was, in line with the night’s boxing theme. Based on the cheers, the winner earned a miniature boxing championship belt.

While the night delivered many memorable laughs, Comedy Knockout also introduced other organizations to the audience, like student-run comedy club The Playground, show coordinator Maddy de Vera said.

Even though many of the comedians have done stand up in the past, performing in front of an unfamiliar crowd always draws nerves, Ryan, a freshman, said. She has past experiences at The Playground and Live From Studio B!, a sketch comedy show on Orange Television Network, but still felt nerves onstage.

“I’ve been walking around and accidentally rubbing it in the other comic’s face that I’m feeling very chill and cool, except I’m really not, I’m freaking out,” Ryan said.

Unleashing her new material made the overall experience more thrilling than nerve-racking, Ryan said. As she joked about her failed polyamorous relationship in preschool, the audience burst out laughing.

Ella Chan | Asst. Photo Editor

Tim Wong, victor of University Union’s Comedy Knockout, with shaving cream covering his face. Wong’s set ranged from “low-brow” and “relatable” topics.

Though a regular comedian at The Playground, Aiken, a senior, also still gets nervous performing in front of a new crowd. Despite the added pressure of hosting the show, the exhilarating atmosphere created by upbeat music and the audience’s anticipation made hosting more exciting than nervous, she said.

Being herself has shown her the way out of stage anxiety, Aiken said. Her funniest work comes from her confidence, which The Playground has built up, she said.

The night’s setlist continued, featuring a recounting of an unfortunate incident at a homeless shelter in Hendel’s set, to a traumatic gynecologist visit featured in Gerety’s set. Ryan said while comedians usually perform their sets for the audience’s enjoyment, performing at the show also gave her an outlet to share vulnerability.

“I talk a little bit about something sad that happened to me and being able to joke about it has helped me feel better about the situation,” Ryan said. “I think sharing laughter with people is just one of the best things about being alive and being a person.”

The night proved to be memorable as audience members brought home different moments they considered their favorite. For freshman CJ Psaltos, Gerety’s confession of still going to her pediatrician at the age of 21 was relatable, while Aiken’s seamless transitions from one comedian to the next was the standout of the night for freshman Kyle McMahan.

When it comes to getting ready for the show, each comic has their own means of prep, just like a boxer entering the ring. Aiken compiles her past and present material and meticulously plans out an engaging set. Ryan has fleeting visions of funny jokes once in a while. Wong said he usually writes a rough script and runs his material by his peers for their honest opinions, though his best quips come from whatever’s on his mind in the moment.

Though risky, Wong’s jokes managed to pay off, as he featured a mix of different bits in his set. From teasing his girlfriend about the realities of Gen Z dating to getting shaving cream slapped onto his face by an audience member, Wong was authentically himself — which netted him the night’s ultimate prize.

“I think comedy is a really good chance to bring everyone together under one unified front,” Wong said. “Hearing people’s thoughts and getting through tough moments together is really a great part of comedy.”

Published on February 8, 2025 at 12:40 pm