Funny Days

Growing up, Michael Somerville used to sneak downstairs late at night to watch one of his comedy idols, Johnny Carson, on television. By the time he was a college freshman, he had become hooked on making people laugh—especially after a successful attempt at stand-up comedy. But upon graduation in 1994, the Berkeley Heights native needed a full-time job.

“The company expected me to be there at 9 am, regardless of how late I had been out the night before—and my neck was getting irritated from shaving every day,” Somerville says. In 1999, he left the 9-to-5 world to pursue comedy full-time.

After a few years of gigs like donning a pink bear costume for an office Christmas party, by 2005 he was appearing as a guest on VH1 and Comedy Central’s Premium Blend. Earlier this year he released his own live-comedy CD, Welcome to Somerville.

Somerville’s humor is based largely on everyday experiences, and he keeps his material funny and clean. He jokes about the time his girlfriend got a flat tire and Somerville, a self-professed non-handyman, said, “I think we should see other people,” instead of helping her change the tire.

One joke topic he shies away from is New Jersey. “I’ve always been very protective of New Jersey. There’s something about the people here that I love.” You can catch him on December 23 and 24 at the Comedy Stop in Atlantic City. Visit michaelsomerville.com for more information.

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