[dropcap]E[/dropcap]ric Omondi has thrown his weight behind the comedy industry as a good source of income. Omondi, who is one of the most successful comedians in Africa, says the future is bright for comedy.
He was speaking about his time in the industry, noting that when he started, he was being paid with food.
“The comedy industry is going good places,” he is quoted by Word Is as saying. “When I started doing comedy, we were being paid with food. Now, it’s paying. Parents need to encourage their kids. Comedy is paying and the future is very bright.”
The commedy industry has churned out a number of successful individuals who have become millionaires such as Daniel Ndambuki aka Churchill, Eric Omondi himself, Felix Odiwour popularly known as Jalang’o and Walter Mong’are aka Nyambane, among others
Omondi, alongside other commedians, quit Churchill Show over what many believe is pay-related fallout. Other programmes Vitimbi and Vioja Mahakamani are among comedy shows that have hit a rough patch due to payment issues.
The hardest hit by pay-related complain is Churchill Show, which has lost a number of comedians, adversely affecting the quality of his show. Media observers say if Churchill Show doesn’t enhance its appeal, it will lose the critical middle class audience that has kept it growing.
Perhaps Laugh Industry, the commercial arm of the business, should invest more in training and proper mentorship of the budding comedians to diversify their sense of humour from sex and relationships.
SEE: Maina Kageni tops highest paid radio and TV presenters
But what has worried the audience is the exits of key comedians. It started with Teacher Wanjiku, who it emerged felt shortchanged in terms of compensation. While on appearing on the show, she landed a deal with Airtel that made her lots of money, and her trouble began. It’s said the money she received from Airtel became an issue between her and Churchill who demand for a large percentage.
Teacher Wanjiku left Churchill for good and decided to try her own show which, unfortunately, did not work well for her.
Eric Omondi went solo. Mr Omondi, who had become a co-host also left the show in a mysterious way to “pursue his dream as a solo artist.” The comedian said he had come age. However, it is believed that there was a fallout.
Chipukeezy, the hilarious comedian-cum radio presenter also followed suit after the managers failed to pay him and decided to concentrate on his radio career. To him, all the Churchill comedians had issues with payments something that made most of them quit the show.
READ: Eric Omondi clinches lucrative deal with Bidco
YY is the recent comedian who has publicly said that he is quitting the show. He shared a post on his social media handle saying goodbye to his many fans. YY left Churchill show to look for greener pastures. According to the comedian, he earns peanuts yet he is a talented artist. Few days after quitting, YY got a new job with Kenyatta University television KUTV on “The Comic Show”.
Eric Omondi also recalled one of his worst shows where no one laughed at his jokes. “My worst show was in Malindi, they had never heard of me and a local TV was launching its mast. It was the first time people there were seeing me,” narrated Omondi. “I went there and I was late. I took the mic and I was like ‘Hawayunii’. For two hours nobody laughed. I will never forget that day.”
Plz erick omondi my name is James okello nakuomba unisaidie mimi ndio mtoto mkubwa kwa familia yetu na mungu alinibariki na talent wa kuimba sai nimetoa mziki moja na kijana Fulani apo nilitoa na yeye kwa sababu ckukuwa na uwezo wakuitoa peke yangu but nyimbo nimeandika nyingi kwa kitabu changu cha nyimbo naomba mola akuingilie unisaidie asante sana bwana Mr erick omondi. Mimi pia ni mjaluo