The CHInterview: White Guy Talk Show’s Saurin Choksi

Wondering what it’s like to kiss your Chicago comedy career goodbye in order to head out to one of the coasts? Chicago-based performer Martin Morrow recently spoke with some of the Chicago comedy community’s recent expats who have found success in improv, stand-up, comedy and/or performing since leaving the Midwest for New Yorkier or LAish pastures. We’ll be running his CHInterviews weekly. 

MM: HOW LONG LONG DID YOU LIVE/PERFORM IN CHICAGO?

SC: For about six years. From January, 2009 to October, 2014.

MM: WHEN DID YOU MOVE TO NEW YORK?

SC: October 15th, 2014. I took Amtrak!

MM: WHY DID YOU CHOOSE NY OVER LA?

SC: I never considered going anywhere except NY. Doing stand-up, hitting clubs in New York, seeing all the greats that live and work in this city, that kind of life is really romanticized in my brain. I’ve always wanted the experience of doing comedy in New York. Most of my friends from when I started stand-up in Chicago had gone to New York. So I already had a good support network on the East Coast. And I don’t drive. And like f*ck LA. Nah JK JK LA. You nice too, girl. 

MM: HOW WAS YOUR TRANSITION FROM CHICAGO?

SC: I’ve been very fortunate. My friends took care of me when I first got out here. I owe a lot of thanks to them for letting me crash on their couches and helping me get adjusted. I caught some lucky breaks not too long after being here, so it’s been an amazing time so far.

MM: WHAT ARE SOME MAJOR CREDITS YOU’VE DONE SINCE MOVING?

SC: I won the Boston Comedy Festival and am hosting a show on Fuse.TV called ‘White Guy Talk Show.’ The shows I’ve done at Knitting Factory are still my favorite. Most importantly, my roommates are Liza Treyger and Megan Gailey, so I am cool.

MM: SPEAKING OF ‘WHITE GUY TALK SHOW,’ TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT AND THAT PROCESS.

SC: I auditioned for WGTS in November, never thinking I would actually get it. Just thought, “Hey, auditioning will be a good experience for future auditions!” But I prepared as much as I could and got a callback. In between the first and second audition, I won Boston, so I was feeling like anything was possible. Then right before Christmas break, I got the call saying I had the gig. I was happy. 

The show’s been a blast. The writers, my co-host and showrunner are a really funny, smart and supportive group. Hopefully we’re making a fun, silly comedy talk show about pop culture with some heart and are picking the right targets. I’m excited to see where the ride takes us.

MM: BEST ADVICE YOU RECEIVED WHILE IN CHICAGO AND WHEN YOU MOVED?

SC: I’ve gotten so much good advice, but for me the best stuff comes from my dad. I’ll share some with you. It’s always optimistic, practical and funny.

ME

(about the show)
Daddio, I just realize I need to have a good talk with you about

everything. I am getting nervous…

MY OLD MAN
Now talking about nervousness, it is very common. First time you do

anything, you worry about results. Even on his honeymoon a man gets

worried that his performance will be good or not! So it is common.

The only thing you have to do is act like Saurin. As you know, it is 

Saurin who reached where he is today. No special thing is needed. And

when you go out of the house in the morning, just pray to god for a

few minutesand say in your mind “Hey Bhagwan Badhu Saru

Keraje,” meaning, “hey god, do all good, please give me the strength.” 

We will talk some more in the evening.

SC: I’m lucky my family has been so supportive. No one cares about you like your family.

MM: WHAT IS SOME ADVICE YOU’D OFFER COMEDIANS WANTING TO MOVE TO NY?

SC: I can just tell you what I tried to do. Create a plan, set a date and go. No one knows the future, so if you want it, give it a shot. Try to manage your brain and focus on doing good work. I’m a big fan of the Artist’s Way since it’s helped me a lot with my insecurities. 

MM: WHAT’S ON THE HORIZON?

SC: I dunno homie, f*ck the future! We live for the moment! Arf arf arf meow meow meow meow —Lane Pieschel & I barking, 2015 Bad Boys

There are so many funny comics in Chicago. Go for it! I don’t know what will happen with this show. I dunno if I’ll be dead in a ditch in a week. But I definitely never thought I’d be hosting a TV show when I left Chicago in October. There are tons of opportunities here. I am not special. What one person can do, another can do. You’re coming up in the best city in the world to come up in! Work hard, want it and focus on the positive. WE ARE CHICAGO WE ARE THE BEST! 

White Guy Talk Show airs on Fuse Monday-Thursday at 11:30 pm/10:30 pm Central.

Learn more about what Saurin’s deal is on SaurinChoksi.com. Follow him on Twitter@saurinchoksi.

Read our first CHInterview with Ian Abramson right here. 

Martin Morrow is a member of The Second City’s Bob Curry Fellowship program. Get the latest on his whereabouts via his website or by following him on Twitter@martinMmorrow.