Memphis comedian aims for world record stand-up comedy set
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – A Memphis veteran stand-up comedian is preparing for a funny bone fete for the history books.
Benny Elbows begins his quest for world record laughs with a solo stand-up show that could last 40+ hours, all to break the record for longest continuous solo comedy stand-up routine in history.
“For a while I was a tour guide. I did tours in Memphis. I was a ghost tour guide. Like a haunted tour – not like you signed up for the tour and never saw me again,” he said.
Just know, if laughter is the best medicine, Benny Elbows plans an overdose customized for a Guinness World Records.
When I asked if that’s his real name, he sheepishly answered with a, “Ye-e-e-s?” It’s a nickname.” And it’s not his first, mind you.
“I didn’t like my high school nickname,” he answered. When I asked about his high school nickname he confessed, “Big Ben. I mean, it’s obvious. I’m 6′10; it makes sense.”
He’s a giant with jokes who, if all goes well with his quest, will be a clown with a crown. Benny takes the stage the morning of Friday, April 25, at 6 o’clock at the Hi-Tone Cafe on Cleveland Avenue in hopes of breaking the world record for the longest continuous solo stand-up comedy routine. And, he’s got to beat the current record of 40 hours, 8 minutes.
Benny’s game plan? “I think the most important thing is going to be caffeine. I think that’s my secret weapon, I think I’m gonna to try and do a trial run where I wake up at the time it’s going to start. I try to go the entire time. I try to take the appropriate rest breaks.”
And, just like any marathon athlete, Benny jokes that he’s got to get in shape, “Oh yeah. I’ve been doing all sorts of montages, you know, like chin ups, ‘Rocky,’ ‘Eye of the Tiger’ playing. I’m doing push-ups.”
Jokes aside, Guinness World Record attempts come with lots of rules.
“I can repeat jokes, but only every four hours. So, right now, I have a Word document I think with like 16-17,000 words. It’s 26 pages,” explained Benny, while adding, “Another big one is that we need 10 people in the audience at all times.”
How will he make sure there are 10 people in the audience for more than 40 hours? He’s hoping you’ll see this story and come out and support his funny fest quest.
The rules also cover timekeepers, tickets–which are free by the way–and “taking care of business.”
“Ah…using the bathroom. I can eat and drink onstage as long as it does not disrupt the flow of the show. We’ll find out what that means, I guess. Like, they do give us 5 minutes that we can keep and use whenever we want to for every hour that we complete. So, I’m going to try to go as far as I can into it before trying to take a nap and then finish strong,” he divulged.
As for what possessed him to even try for a Guinness World Record, he told me it has something to do with a past experience.
“So, in Nashville, I want to say it was like 2016 or so, they decided to break the world record for longest stand-up comedy show by multiple comedians.”
And Benny Elbows says he was one of those multiple comedians doing 15-minute sets during that record-breaking 180-hour stint and again in 2017 and 2018, each time upping the ante on time.
“But it was great fun. I think they still do have the record,” said Benny.
While Benny would love to break the world record, this stint is about more than just that for him.
“You know, the Hi-Tone has been a huge fixture in Memphis comedy. They’ve had a lot of great shows, given a lot of great comedians a chance to get on stage and perform. So, I’d like to shine a light on the Hi-Tone. I’d like to shine a light on Memphis comedy; if I’m not everyone’s cup of tea, there’s something in Memphis comedy for everyone,” he confessed.
And whether or not he walks away with a Guinness World Record, Benny Elbows can promise one thing:
“We’re going to have a good time. We’re going to try to at least.”
So, once again, the jokes start at 6 o’clock the morning of Friday, August 25 at the Hi-Tone on Cleveland Avenue over by Crosstown Concourse.
There must always be 10 people in the audience, aged 21 and up. If all goes well, the show will wrap up around 10:30 the following Saturday night.
Everything you need to know to watch Benny Elbow’s World-Record Comedy attempt can be found here.
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