Dr. John Kelly is also an Associate Professor and a stand-up comedian.
What got you into comedy?
My father was a stand-up comic, so genetics and years of hearing “how bad Mom's cooking was” clearly prompted me to start telling jokes. My twin brother is another good looking guy with a propensity for extroversion, and we used to do 'joint' gigs singing and performing for different grades in elementary school. When the nuns weren't pummeling us into submission, that is.
Comedy became a means to diffuse the stress of medical school—when I made others laugh, I felt better. I began performing in my dad's bar in Delaware, Kelly’s Logan House, advancing to medical functions and then night clubs.
Why is laughter the best medicine?
Even though I am a surgeon, I am first and foremost a healer, and few interventions compare to humor as a means to promote health and wellness. Boosting immunity, lowering pain and increasing circulation, humor simply makes us and others happy. Happy doctors give better care and happy patients are more compliant and satisfied.
To effect positive change, humor must not be negative, but affirming. Positive humor brings rooms together and increases overall positive energy. It is very affirming when I single out a person in the crowd at functions and offer a comical twist to a compliment. Such as, “Dr. X is so smart, his IQ is higher than my malpractice premium!”
Where can Philadelphia groups go for laughter and entertainment?
Greater Philadelphia has a rich comedic tradition, with Kevin Hart, Tina Fey and David Brenner just a few of the “classics” bred here. Comedy clubs abound, with Comedy Explosion, Helium, the N Crowd, Philly Improv, Laff House, Better than Bacon and Comedy Cabaret among the popular favorites.