Comedian Don Barnhart Tells What It Takes To Makes The Soldiers Laugh In A War Zone

My name is Don Barnhart and I am a professional stand up comedian. What do I mean by professional? Well, what I mean is that I have been fortunate enough to make a comfortable living travelling the world making people laugh which should answer the follow up question that yes, I actually am very funny. Ive been on a few TV shows and appeared in some movies. If youre a rabid fan of comedy, you might recognize me as I tour over 250 days a year but Im not quite up there in the celebrity status the likes of Jim Carrey, Robin Williams or Jerry Seinfeld but Im right behind them.

Since 1992, I have also tried to spend several weeks a year entertaining the military troops stationed overseas. Ive done this during peacetime and during times of war and everywhere I go people ask what its like to perform in a dangerous setting like Afghanistan or Iraq so here is my story.

First and foremost, I consider it an honour and privilege to be asked to come over and entertain the troops. As I said before, Im extremely fortunate to able to make a living doing what I love and I feel we all have an obligation as an American citizen to support our troops in the best way we know how even if you object to the war itself.

The reason I started doing my part is that its part of my work-release program and I only have 30 more hours of community service then Im done! (Just kidding, that was a joke.) Seriously, the men and women in the military defend America and all of her Freedoms and Im able to make a great living using those Freedoms. I also feel its important to support the troops in any way you know how. If I knew how to bake cookies, I would do that and send over a care package but Im much better at telling jokes so I go there and entertain, shake hands and thank the men and women who serve our country. Its both emotionally and physically tough but there is such an immense sense of pride I feel when I get to do my part and be part of the team. But honestly, I kinda feel like Im the least significant person out there. I kinda feel like the water boy on the super bowl team.

The whole reason I started doing military shows goes back to mid, 1992. I went through a bitter divorce after I found out my wife was dating again. (A joke but not really a joke) I took off to Europe to find myself (actually to get as far away as possible from everyone I knew or that knew me and my situation). Anyway, while I was doing shows throughout Sweden I found myself sitting in a cold, dark and gloomy smoke filled caf feeling sorry for myself and I looked out the window and noticed a sign for the USO. I finished my cappuccino and trudged across the snow-lined street and went in. I starting asking if they would be interested in a comedy show as I had a whole lot of free time and nothing to do so they gave me the main info and I sent in my demo and next thing I know, Im on a plane heading to war torn Bosnia with the Gin Blossoms and 49 Cheerleaders.

Each show is different and it really depends on whos booking it and for the bigger shows with celebrities and bands they need a lot of lead-time. For them, its a much bigger production and the logistics are a nightmare as they have sound equipment, staff, costumes, gear and who knows what else. For one celebrity, the tour never manifested, as she wanted a four-star hotel and limo for her Afghanistan concert. She didnt get it. Were there on a military base in the middle of a war and not on the beach on the French Rivera. Anyway, she went in to rehab the following month so she never did make the tour.

For groups like Comics On Duty who specialize in just comedy shows, its much easier and we can be prepared to go at the drop of a hat but on the average a few months lead time is the best. With comedy, its much easier to change venues, add shows and adjust to the constantly changing conditions on the ground. When it is just comedians, we try to add shows whenever we can on a tour and we try and get out to the troops that really need it the most. Weve added shows in hangers with no sound gear, on flight decks, flat beds, in front of a land-mine field. It all pretty non-glamorous.

Performing for the troops is different than performing at a regular comedy club in the states and once youve done a few tours, you are bonded with the soldiers and there truly is certain sense of camaraderie and understanding. Underlying the shows is an awareness that at any second, we might have to scramble and be caught in a firefight. We might have to run for cover or return fire. So even though Im in the middle of a joke, my senses are on full alert. Once when I was in the middle of show I heard a huge explosion just outside and I dropped to the floor for cover and the crowd roared with laughter, as this was a normal sound to them. I just about wet my pants but I was now part of the team. Im there to get laughs whether its something I say or something I did, Im there to entertain. I dont flinch as much but Im still fully aware to all the external sounds and surroundings when Im performing over there.

The reason we come over is to entertain and show our support and to let them know how much we care about them and the job they are doinghow much we respect them and I think they have a certain respect for us coming over there. Were all in it together as we eat the same food and have to deal with the same amenities. If theres no hot water, then there is no hot water for everybody and sometimes its MREs (Meals Ready To Eat) for weeks at a time.

The troops are so accommodating to us and go out of their way to make us feel at home. We were doing shows in the Persian Gulf and getting choppered from ship to ship and a really bad storm came up and they were going to cancel a show because if we flew in, we would have to overnight on the ship but there was no place to put us up and the guys on the ship offered to give us there cots and they would sleep on the floor just so their ship wouldnt miss getting some entertainment.

The real difference between a so-called regular audience and performing for the troops is that by far, the troops are the best audiences ever. There really is no comparison. These men and women are putting their lives on the line each and every day and they dont have time to laugh if it isnt funny. Theyre honest in what they like and dont like and that makes you a sharper comic. In the states, people can go out on a date have dinner and a few drinks and if you dont like the show, you can always leave and go do something else. When youre entertaining the troops, the show may be the only new thing they get for months at a time so you have to bring your A game and be on top of it. Thats why it so important to bring the best headlining comics and not a bunch of amateurs over here. To give the troops an inferior product really makes my blood boil. There are several agencies that are booking comedy shows, pocketing the money then sending really unprofessional and amateur shows over here. Thats why I started booking my own shows and tours. The comics I use are all headlining comics that youll see at the top comedy clubs in the nation and on TV. You wont see them at an open mic night. You also have to be a headlining act to do well over here as you might have to switch up your act based on the logics and sensitivities of whats going on that dayor you might have to follow a celebrity act Kid Rock or Tim Allen. After doing so many tours, I also created and host a new TV show called, The Freedom of Speech Comedy Series featuring all the great comics that have come over to do military shows. Its ironic; when you say Freedom of Speech everything automatically thinks its a dirty show. Freedom of Speech also means the freedom of thought and the concept of the show is that we let the comics loose to do whatever they want. Some might be a bit dirty, some political but the goal is it has to be funny. The website for the show is www.thechucklehut.com

At first, I really didnt understand the direct and positive impact doing shows for the troops had on their morale. Its the greatest feeling after a show when everyone is coming up to thank us for entertaining them. We are there doing our shows to show our gratitude to them! At the end of one show, the colonel brought all the comics up on stage to present us with a certificate of appreciation and their coin and all the men and women stood up and saluted us in thanks. It literally brought all four comics to tears. We couldnt believe how grateful these young men and women were to us for coming over while we were there to show our thanks to them. Its why I keep doing these tours over and over again.

The comedy shows are something to talk about, it breaks up the routine and monotony and laughter truly is the best medicine. Remember, some of these men and women over here havent been home in a long time and were the closest things to being home as we do get to leave. I truly feel that these men and women are my family and my job is to make them laugh and forget their troubles, sorrows and hardships for a little while. Ive seen the toughest looking soldier laugh so hard he had tears rolling down his checks and after the show, everyone said that guy never even smiles. He came up after the show and gave me a bear hug that almost broke my rib cage but it was great to see him laughing.

Lets face it. Its not always easy being away from your family and friends in a war zone. We all know the dangers and possibilities. Its sort of an unspoken truth but it also creates and underlying tension and some people have a hard time dealing with it. On one recent tour, we had a chaplain travel with us and he sat in the front row every show. It was a bit unsettling at first but then he explained that if the soldiers could see him laughing at even some of the questionable material that maybe he was approachable to their needs and problems and that he was just a regular guy. It was great because we included him in the show and pointed him out, teased him a bit but letting everyone know him by face. Sure enough, several days after I got back I received a letter from him telling us what a difference it made and that it really opened up a dialogue of communication for him and some of the soldiers. Were all a part of the same team.

You might think its difficult to get laughter from soldiers that are face with war, destruction and horrific conditions but its not. As long as youre funny! Comedy has always been a pressure relief valve and it lets the tension out before you snap. The more uncomfortable the situation, the more tension there is and the more you need to release that tension before something breaks. Weve all been in those really high-pressure situations. Even as a child when your parents told you to go to bed and keep quite or youll be in trouble and then you cant contain your own laughter. Or on your wedding day when youre about to take your vows and then start crackin up. My wife and I both started giggling but that also brought us closer together. As for entertaining the troops, there is no room for mediocre comics at this point. It is a tense situation and Ive seen really bad comics loose the crowd. This is why you have to be so picky when putting a show together. Were grunting it out just like the troops so you cant have any prima-dona entertainers running around crying because they couldnt get their eight hours of sleep and mid-day brunch.

Being funny in an environment that represents the ravages of destruction can be a bit intimidating at first. I was planning on wearing Depends the first time I came over. Seriously though, at first its truly rattling and unsettling but the soldiers go so far out of their way to make you feel at home and after a short while its time to step up. If they can be here and live under these difficult conditions, then so can I. Although, its not for everybody. It takes a strong person to be here both as a soldier and a comedian. There is a lot of pressure but thats why its so important to be the best at what you do. Its pretty nerve racking to hear explosions going off when your trying to deliver your punchline or have sirens whaling and planes taking off but you sort of get used to it. It sure makes going back to the states and auditioning for some big agent a lot easier. The last audition I had, they commented that I seemed so relaxed and unlike all the other actors. I told them I just got back from Afghanistan where mortars were going off and there was a missile attack during the middle of my showand no, they werent shooting at me because of my act. (laughing)

For the most part, there really isnt any way to research the idiosyncrasies associated with doing shows in the field. Its sort of a trial by fire and its hard to explain it to a new comic, as you really just have to do it to understand. You just immerse yourself into it and figure it out. The variables are always changing and the only thing you can count on is something is always changing so you have to really be able to roll with it. Sometimes theres no sound gear or lights, sometimes the audience is standing in 120 degree heat with the sun in their eyes and they cant even see you, sometimes youre wearing your flac jacket and helmet, sometimes you doing a show in a tent for 6 guys that look like they havent seen a shower or razor or fresh meat in monthsits just really such a unique experience that you have to see it for yourself. Every tour that Ive done there is always something memorable. Even the comics that have toured overseas have a bond with each other. Oh, youve been to Afghanistan or Iraq, UAE, Dubai or Saudi? There is a certain amount of respect we give each other for doing these tours as well. At the end of the day, were just a bunch of goofballs who are fortunate to make a living telling jokes but there is a respect among those of us who choose to do these shows.

Its important to be able to edit on the fly and tailor your act to fit your surroundings. The military are not allowed to discuss certain topics and its important to know how far you can take a joke. Weve done shows all around the world and each location is different. The irony here is that America is based on Freedom but with Freedom comes a huge amount of responsibility. You can talk about anything you want but if you cross the line, you will certainly lose the crowd so you better know what youre doing. With this in mind, we have to take in consideration that we are invited guests in many countries that are very different than what we are used to and its important to remember that as a guest, we need to respect the cultural differences and traditions of our host nations.

Its also important to be very aware of what conflicts are going on within the soldiers lives as well. Almost any topic is open but with anything tragic, a certain amount of time must pass to be able to find the funny in something. If something has just happened, its probably not wise to try and joke about it until some time has passed. It might be too raw. Often times we get local dignitaries coming to the shows to see what comedy really is. I think thats great because so many people are not allowed to speak up and be critical of their government where in America you can talk about our political leaders and make fun of them. However, if its not funny, yikes! The crowd will turn on you. My rule is, as a guest, you dont go to someones home and start breaking dishes and kicking their pets and the same is true with comedy. Know your crowd and be respectful while still pushing the boundaries.

Most of my topics are about my everyday life and I bring a lot of my military tours experiences into the show, as theres a common bond. You also have to read the crowd. Are they young or old, are they the dignitaries or higher ups and you have to call your show as its going on. Im constantly editing in my head. Did this joke work? If it did, Ill go to this bit or if it didnt Ill switch it up. Thats where an amateur will get into trouble as he/she only has a small amount of material and theyre going to do it whether the crowd likes it or not. Thats why its so important to get rid of these smaller agencies that are sending what I like to call comedy rejects over here. They get a contract and then pay some lame ass comic that cant get work in the states a few bucks and the agent pockets the rest. Its comedic profiteering and it really makes my blood boil.

My material comes out of my life so its not uncommon for my field experiences to become a part of my regular show. Crowds at home really want to know whats going on outside what they see on the news. People come up after every show and want to know all about my tours. They ask how the troops are and whats it like over there? They are really concerned and interested in how our soldiers are doing. I kinda feel like the middleman exchanging pleasantries back and forth.

The logistics of actually getting overseas ranges from the simple to the most complex.
For most tours, we fly the main leg of the trip commercial then its time to soldier up. On one trip, our commercial flight had problems and we got diverted to Russia but we couldnt leave the airport for almost twenty-four hours till another plane was ready. We all felt like Tom Hanks in that movie where hes stranded at the airport. Once we are in country, we are pretty much considered in the military and get to ride like the troops but if there is an emergency, then all personnel and equipment are diverted and we sit on the sidelines till all is secure. We do get a security briefing, which i