Pavel Gitnik is no stranger to being a social outcast. But, instead of wallowing in self-pity, Gitnik channels his trouble fitting in into gaining leverage as a comedian at UCLA.
Born into a Jewish family in Russia, Gitnik, a third-year communication studies student, constantly traveled with his family from Russia to Israel, and finally settled in the United States at age 13. Being Jewish in Russia, Russian in Israel and foreign in the U.S., Gitnik never really felt like he belonged anywhere.
“People say that a comic is a social outsider because they are commenting with some kind of new insight on what is happening around you. In all the traditions of comedy they would select the jesters and clowns to make fun of regular people because they weren’t regular people; they were outcasts,” Gitnik said. “If you are an outsider, you kind of get a perspective of the mainstream culture that you wouldn’t normally get.”
Gitnik now shares this perspective, hosting his own monthly comedy show, “*Night Time* w/ Pavel Gitnik” at Ultimate Improv in Westwood. The next performance is scheduled for Sunday at 8 p.m., when Gitnik will host stand-up comedians Nick Rutherford and Eric Andre, musical group Bruin Harmony, and the Russian Club at UCLA.
“It is really uncensored. None of it is prepared. We learn about the content guests and we also make fun of them. Then there is Q&A with the audience, which fuels more discussion. It is entertaining because the show keeps changing,” Gitnik said.
Gitnik’s comedic interests developed after mandatory drama classes in elementary school in Israel. After experimenting with different forms of art throughout high school, including theater and improvisation, he realized his desire to perform stand-up comedy.
His experience at UCLA’s Open Mic Night at Bruin Cafe in fall 2005 marked the beginning of his career as a stand-up comic.
While seeking different avenues through which he could channel his comedic energy, Gitnik stumbled upon UCLAradio.
At UCLAradio, he hosted a weekly show, “Comedy After Hour,” later called “The Basement,” from midnight to 2 a.m. during the 2006-2007 academic year that featured comedians and UCLA community leaders.
Although the show helped him gain experience and connections, he was unhappy with the dynamic of a comedic radio show because it lacked interaction with listeners.
“You don’t know if anyone is laughing or listening. You don’t get to enjoy the company of an audience; you don’t get to enjoy their laughter. The comedians that I book can’t perform a set on the show. It’s just crippling,” Gitnik said.
To try to expand his act, Gitnik approached Ultimate Improv in Westwood with a show idea, resembling talk shows such as “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”
“It’s the only show (at Ultimate Improv) that’s not only doing one thing. Pavel has a very structured show that is set just like a late-night talk show, with musical guests and a panel. That element of the show is very different and very attractive. People are more likely to come out to this show because it is more familiar to them,” said Gian Molina, a show coordinator, producer and performer at Ultimate Improv.
Influenced by comedians who are honest and controversial, such as Chris Rock, Richard Pryor and Louis C.K., Gitnik prefers examining controversial social and political issues through his comedy, such as racism and religion.
“I used to dread going to English class because in English there is no right answer. In high school I was always after those answers that were easy to find, black and white. But the world is not black and white; the world is grey, like English class. You have to examine it from all angles,” he said.
Others recognize the depth of perspective in Gitnik’s comedy as well.
“Judging by the topics he discusses, which spark a lot of debate and conversation on social political issues, I think he has something special and unique to UCLA,” said Darrin Bird, a Class of 2007 UCLA alumnus, who helped coordinate the Cultural Affairs Commission’s Open Mic Night, at which Gitnik performed.
Gitnik is interested in using comedy and his show to break down social boundaries and comment on the human condition.
Gitnik has control over the material presented in his show and he hopes the comedic and socially relevant nature of it prompts discussion among his audience.
“You can sneak in some messages and criticisms about our society, the way we treat the earth and each other, and the way we interact in daily life. You also ridicule it and people don’t feel like you are preaching to them, and they actually listen to you,” he said. “That’s why a lot of artists have messages, because they get to express themselves in an artistic form. It’s political and entertaining. You can trick people into listening to you by being entertaining.”