Nightlife
2012 FIST Champion Raul Sanchez
Courtesy photo
Published: April 4, 2012
The first time I saw Raul Sanchez perform he was funny, but in a predictable way. His jokes depended on setting up an idea and then turning on assumptions to get an easy laugh. It was simple, but still better than most efforts fresh out of the chute. Two years spent working every stage he could find helped Sanchez discover how to bring more surreal and abstract bits of himself into the routine, even finding ways to incorporate God and the universe in challenging, but endearing ways. In short, the Iraq War veteran has worked hard to set himself apart from both his peers and influences; it paid off last week when he out-performed 11 other finalists to win the Funniest Person in South Texas Contest at the Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club. Is comedy Sanchez's passion? His therapy? His most honest voice? Whatever it is, it's funny — and his triumph is well earned. Watch him as he advances to the Southwest region's World Series of Comedy being hosted in San Antonio next month.
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