Interviewed by: Joseph Santiago
Meet Mac O’Hara
Mac O’Hara is a rising stand-up comedian and writer based in New York City. Known for his sharp wit and observational humor, he has been performing since the age of 18. O’Hara has made a name for himself in the NYC comedy scene, co-hosting the Affirmative Inaction podcast and sharing his work across social media platforms. In this exclusive Mac O’Hara NYC comedian interview, he discusses his journey into comedy, handling hecklers, and navigating sensitive topics on stage.
1. As a New York City comedian and writer, what inspired you to pursue a career in comedy?
Mac O’Hara: “I don’t know if I was ever truly inspired until I went on stage for the first time. I started doing stand-up my senior year of high school after a bad wrestling injury left me with a lot of free time. At first, I just wrote—too scared to actually get on stage. I wanted to have a tight five minutes before I ever performed. Now, I know that the tight five comes from performing, testing material, and seeing what works.”
“Eventually, I went to an open mic just to watch. But in a last-minute flurry of courage, I got on stage and tried out the material I had been writing. The room had maybe three people in the audience, the lighting was harsh, and it wasn’t glamorous at all. But it felt like home. The stage became a safe space, despite the initial fear.”
“That feeling never really went away. I was 18 then; I’m 24 now, and I still go on stage to feel that same sense of calm. Sometimes, after a show, when the venue has emptied out, I just sit on the stool and take it in. My breathing slows, my heart rate steadies. Being on stage still brings me that peace.”
2. Can you share the story behind co-hosting the Affirmative Inaction podcast?
Mac O’Hara: “My good friend and fellow comic Alec Preston and I wanted to start a podcast together, but we quickly realized the world didn’t need another show with two straight white guys talking. There are so many of those, and it felt like we’d just be punishing people by adding another one to the mix.”
“So, we pivoted. Instead of making it about us, we decided to use the platform to highlight comedians from different backgrounds—people whose perspectives weren’t as frequently heard in mainstream comedy spaces. That’s how Affirmative Inaction was born. Across six episodes, we interviewed some of our favorite comics and got to learn about their journeys. It was an incredible experience, and I highly recommend checking it out!”
3. Your Instagram features a mix of sketches, stand-up clips, and podcast highlights. How do you balance these different formats in your content creation?
Mac O’Hara: “Stand-up clips are my main focus because stand-up is the product I’m selling. That’s the core of my brand.”
“That said, I post sketches and podcast clips when I have an idea I’m excited about or when my feed starts looking too stand-up-heavy. I don’t force those—if I have something good, I’ll post it. But if I don’t, I stick with stand-up clips every few days.”
4. In your reel titled My Thoughts on Diddy, you discuss a specific topic. How do current events influence your comedic material?
Mac O’Hara: “Comedy is about writing every day and trying new things on stage. A lot of the time, what I write about is just whatever’s at the top of my mind—so naturally, current events make their way in.”
“A comedian I admire once told me, proven material is for when you have nothing else to say. I think that’s true. If I’m thinking about something—whether it’s a news story, a cultural moment, or a weird observation—there’s no reason not to try it out on stage, even if I just wrote it that day. Especially if the crowd is good.”
5. You’ve posted about handling hecklers during performances. Can you share a memorable experience and how you dealt with it?
Mac O’Hara: “There are two types of hecklers: mean ones and nice ones. Mean ones are easy. You can shut them down, insult them, and the audience will be on your side.”
“Nice hecklers are harder. They’re usually just drunk or socially unaware, and if you go after them too hard, the audience might turn on you. The trick is to acknowledge them, let them know they need to stop, but do it in a way that keeps the crowd on your side.”
“One of my most memorable hecklers was in North Carolina—a very drunk, 60-year-old woman took off her shoe and sock and asked me to suck her foot. There was no security, and it was a small crowd (about 30 people), so I couldn’t just shut her down aggressively. Instead, I acknowledged her, got a laugh out of the moment, and transitioned into a story about a different heckler. That way, she felt heard (which is all hecklers want), and I was able to steer the show back to where I wanted it.”
6. Your content often touches on social and political themes. How do you approach sensitive topics in your comedy?
Mac O’Hara: “I think sensitive topics are easier to approach than people make them seem. There’s this narrative that you can’t joke about anything anymore, but that’s not really true. The reality is, you’ve never been able to just say offensive things without consequences. Comedians have always faced backlash—Lenny Bruce was arrested for his material. The only difference now is that social media amplifies the response.”
“So how do you joke about sensitive topics without facing backlash? I think it comes down to two things:”
Intent. “Audiences are really good at picking up on whether you mean harm. If your joke comes from a place of malice, people will sense it—and they won’t be on your side.”
It has to be funny. “Not to you, but to them. If the audience isn’t laughing, the joke doesn’t work. That’s why some comics can get away with saying wild things—because they hit both of these requirements.”
7. What advice would you give to aspiring comedians looking to establish themselves in the New York City comedy scene?
Mac O’Hara: “If you’re starting out, don’t worry about establishing yourself—worry about getting very, very good. Not kind of good, not good enough, but undeniably good.”
“That means one thing: stage time.”
“As you keep going, doors will open—club opportunities, paid gigs, road work. But none of that happens unless you earn it. Trust the process, stay on stage as much as possible, and be ready when those chances come.”
This Mac O’Hara NYC comedian interview offers a glimpse into his comedy journey, from open mics to navigating controversial topics on stage. His dedication to stand-up, insightful perspectives, and ability to engage with diverse audiences make him a name to watch in the NYC comedy scene. Stay tuned for his latest projects, and catch his stand-up whenever you can!
