Dustin Nickerson calls himself “the world’s most average person.”
He’s not, of course. The comedian’s “Overwhelmed” debut in 2020 is one of the highest-rated specials on Amazon Prime Video.
He’s been featured on Comedy Central, Netflix, the Late Show with James Carden, Fox and Hulu, and is heard regularly on Sirius Radio XM.
And this Saturday (September 28, Quick Center, Fairfield University; 6:30 p.m. reception, $175; 8:30 show, $75), he’s the star of this year’s “Stand Up for Comedy” benefit for Homes with Hope.
All proceeds help the non-profit continue their word, addressing homelessness and food insecurity in Westport.
In an interview with “06880,” Nickerson talked about his “average” persona.
“My wife and I joke that I’ve got one foot on the red carpet. The other foot’s in the school pickup line.”
Dustin Nickerson
Nickerson is a rare comedian these days. His humor is clean, and apolitical.
But it’s very relatable, to anyone who has any kind of domestic life.
In other words: everyone.
Though Nickerson grew up watching Comedy Central in the 1990s, he did not take a direct route to performing. He was “meandering” through life, when he gave an open mic night a try.
Doing comedy in front of an audience is nerve-wracking, as those of us who have never done it can only imagine.
But there are other fears too: How do you hold the mic? Who do you look at?
“There’s a whole subculture of people who know these things,” Nickerson says.
It did not take long for him to join them.
Or to make his name, with them.
He now does up to 250 shows a year. His main worry these days is missing a flight connection.
He did, he admits, have another fear, before throwing out the first pitch at a Seattle Mariners’ game.
That’s his home town. He’s become known as someone who talks knowledgeably — and humorously — about baseball. His work with MLB.com and The Athletic led to that invitation.
“I was really worried I’d get hurt, throwing one pitch in front of everyone,” he says.
Turning serious, the comedian noted that he worked with the homeless population when he was younger. He still looks for volunteer opportunities on the road.
Organizations like Homes with Hope, he said, are “so important. They make such an impact.”
On Saturday, Dustin Nickerson will help them continue to do just that.
In a decidedly non-average way.
Click here for tickets to “Stand Up for Comedy,” and for more information. Click here for Dustin Nickerson’s website.
