Funniest Person in Austin 2014
Cody Hustak reveals the secrets to his success in this year's comedy competition
By Robert Faires, Fri., May 30, 2014
It was a coup of the kind you might have expected in Indonesia or eastern Europe, but Cap City Comedy Club? And yet there it was in the results of this year's Funniest Person in Austin contest: Snagging the coveted crown of comedy was Omaha transplant Cody Hustak, with second place going to Ryan Cownie, who moved here with Hustak in 2010 and is his roommate. (Third-place finisher Lashonda Lester denies any knowledge of the Cornhusker comedy conspiracy.) The Chronicle contacted Hustak to learn how he prevailed over the other 200-plus FPIA competitors.
Austin Chronicle: How did your set at the finals compare to the previous ones?
Cody Hustak: There were drastic alterations made between my prelim and finals sets. I replaced an entire wardrobe change and a rant about the cost of war with jokes about poop and weiners. It made all the difference.
AC: Your own personal favorite moment during your set?
CH: When I got the light indicating I needed to wrap it up. I've always loved anything shiny, and it's like a little reward after a job well done.
AC: Do you feel like you're a better comic than you were when you did the contest a year ago?
CH: Oh yes, after last year's shortcomings, I fired my writing staff and brought in the fresh perspectives of Alonzo "Hamburger" Jones and the spirit of Soupy Sales, who I was introduced to by the Long Island Medium while networking at a Steak 'n Shake. The Lord had a plan for me.
AC: What are you most looking forward to in the year ahead?
CH: The power that comes with being the FPIA, who also operates as the shadow mayor. I've got the key to the city, an obedient police force, and I lack the scruples preventing me from being bought.
AC: Favorite comment of the night from one of your fellow contestants?
CH: Immediately after the show, Ryan Cownie went into a racist diatribe about who runs show business. Unfortunately, my paraphrasing won't do it justice, but I assure you, great points were made.
Cody Hustak performs Friday and Saturday, May 30 & 31, 8 & 10:30pm, at Cap City Comedy Club, 8120 Research; and will appear on Matt Bearden's PUNCH! showcase Tuesday, June 3, 8pm, at Cap City. For more information, call 512/467-2333, or visit www.capcitycomedy.com.
