Wildlife Documentarian Does Stand-up

Chris Palmer doesn’t fit the stand-up comic profile at all. Wildlife documentarian. Harvard Kennedy Scholar. Founder, President and CEO of the non-profit National Audubon Society Productions. AU Film Producer in Residence.

And he won’t look the part either — perfectly-coiffed and suited for every performance, as demonstrated at right, with the proper Brit accent to match. It all started in January, when his daughter Kimberly showed him a flyer on stand-up comedy training at the Theatre Lab. After so many odd jobs—British navy engineer designing warships, IMAX film producer, Hill staffer researching environmental issues, political appointee to President Jimmy Carter, professional father—he figured this was the next, logical step.

But in so many ways, it was illogical. He wasn't the self-deprecating slacker type. He didn’t have that apocalyptic pitfall moment when broken hearts and entry-level desk jobs demanded humor as an escape. Rather, he saw stand-up as another lofty goal to attack, and achieve. In April, Palmer founded Laugh Riot night at the Bethesda Hyatt, which takes place every Saturday at 8 p.m., featuring about four or five local rotating comics. As the resident emcee, Palmer likes the professional-yet-comfy environment of the Bethesda Hyatt that dive DC clubs cannot always offer. Audience members can order from a full restaurant menu. But no need to fear the luxury element—it’s still just five bucks for admission.