Rich Wilson: Needy Creative

Since the beginning of Comedians in Cars Eating Vegemite, Wilson has interviewed comedians about their worst failures onstage, or their “bombing experiences.” “I feel like those are stories that are so unique to each comedian,” he says, “and to me they’re really exciting.” He’s now tailoring the show to the comedians who are on it. “I want to present the comedians like they present themselves.” He’s 21 episodes in now, with an additional five from the ‘bombing’ show. “In my mind, I want to show off the comedians. For a long time, I didn’t put my name on anything I did,” says Wilson. “I like it to kind of exist. I like creation to exist on its own and just be. I like to create it and put it to the side, and you can kind of enjoy it, and I can enjoy your reaction from a distance.”

Though he’s been inspired by those in the scene, Wilson doesn’t have a burning desire to become a professional stand-up comedian. “I know I’m only capable of making it a hobby, because I’m not funny enough to make it anything more,” he says. “I’m comfortable with that, because I’m so happy about where I am with stand-up. I just like feeling that I’m a part of a community that kind of gets me.” He films, edits and mixes all of the videos on his own time, so the process isn’t necessarily a quick one. “Sometimes when I put out videos and friends hit the like button, I think, ‘Do you really like it or do you like it, because I spent hours working on it?’ Sometimes I would like them to do it because I did spend hours on it.” Wilson doesn’t make videos only about comedians and eating vegemite, though. He also skateboards and paints.

Wilson is completely humble and struggles with how to define his style and place in the creative atmosphere. “I don’t like the title of artist for some reason. Two words I would put together that would kind of describe me would be “Needy Creative.” Wilson says “I work in two parts: I have this desire to be creative and make something, and the second part—and it’s kind of pathetic, is that I need people to see it and tell me that it’s good. I need them to validate what I’ve done. … I think it’s just part of who I am. I think it’s a nature thing; people are just born with that desire to create something.”

And what about Vegemite? Does he actually like the taste?  ”It’s fine,” he says. “I grew up eating it. I don’t mind it, but I don’t eat it.” To see the reactions of comedians, in cars, eating Vegemite for the first time, check out and subscribe to his YouTube channel. You can also follow him on Facebook where he constantly posts his daily musings (which I think are really kind of hilarious) as well as his latest videos.