If you’re part of Team Haiti, but have never heard of Haitian Husbands, then you’re probably a newbie to the Instagram game. Made up of two South Florida-based friends named James and Jonas, the comedic duo has been provoking laugh attacks, and funny bone inflammation everywhere with their daring jokes and pranks all captured for Instagram and Youtube. Many became acquainted with them through their widely-shared videos on Facebook, but now look forward to seeing their few-seconds-long comedy bits on Instagram. Hundreds have flocked to see them at their stand-up shows with fellow comedians.

That’s the what of Haitian Husbands. And the why? Haitian-Americans are connecting with one another on social media, and a common childhood is one of the things we all share. While not all Haitian-Americans may be able to identify with the jokes, enough do so that Haitian Husbands…boys…have been able to brand themselves as one of the mavens of Haitian-American comedy.

This is my interview with Jonas (also known as the one who’s bearded).

K. St. Fort: What made you get into comedy?

Well, since “lekol”, I was always that dezod kid who got suspended or in trouble for being the class clown. It came naturally to me, although normally I just don’t concern myself with comedy only. I’d rather look at myself as an “entertainer”.

K. St. Fort: Why the name Haitian Husbands?

We started just under two years ago by the name “Haitian Husbands of South Flowida”. It was originally intended as a web series on Youtube (you can still find it). There was originally four of us. [But] when the number got down to two (Jonas and James), we decided to just keep Haitian Husbands. It Sounded like nothing that was out there and allowed us to be original and different.

K. St. Fort: What’s the funniest thing that’s happened to you as a person?
Running down a hallway in the seventh grade…late to class. At that time, I still wore tidy whities—kalson. I ran too fast and fell and you could see all my kalson and a** just out in the open. I thought it was embarrassing at the time, but looking back on it I laugh.

K. St. Fort: What’s it like working with James?
I’ve known James for 20 Years now. I really couldn’t tell you [Laughter]. He’s like my right arm…always there. So you can only understand that we do have a share of disputes and disagreements. But when it’s all said and done, we make great work together.

K. St. Fort: Which comedians do you find to be the most inspiring?
I don’t see us as pure comedians. We do the comedy—as a form of entertainment that everyone will remember. I’ve always said, “You’ll always remember someone who made you laugh or smile”, Which is why we took the comedy first to the people. Also we see a lot of these “viral videos” and Instagram/Vine stars who do videos for their respective audience whether it be American, Spanish, Jamaican etc…We looked at it AND said, “What about the Haitians”?

K. St. Fort: As a comedy team, do you guys ever disagree as to what creative direction to go in with a project?

All [the] time…we’re arguing right now.

K. St. Fort: What can fans look forward to?
Web series and more web series, and more web series: “1804” and “Pilfer”. [Laughter] Won’t speak to much on that as of right now. [Smiles]

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT HAITIAN HUSBANDS ON INSTAGRAM| CLICK TO VIEW HAITIAN HUSBANDS VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE

Ever heard of Haitian American Productions? How about Haitian Husbands! Now, that’s a comedy team that brings a lot of laughter, giggles, guffaws and smiles. Helmed by Jonas and James—two friends based in South Florida—the comedic team has managed to build an online tribe (as Seth Godin would call it) consisting of 5.6K subscribers on Youtube, 36K subscribers on Instagram, and 69K likes on Facebook While a skeptic might say that online fame doesn’t necessarily produce offline fruit, Jonas and James have proven otherwise. They have gone on multi-city comedy tours with other comedians, and have founded their own production company Haitian American Productions. This May, they will be one of the headliners at the Haitian-American Pride Festival in Lauderhill, Florida. They will be teaming up will fellow comedians and frequent collaborators Plus Daddy, Zoe Poze, Chelo Chelo and Success Jr, for a spring tour that includes stops in New Jersey, Montreal, Philly, Boston and New York.

For Haitian Husbands, the key has been filling a void in Haitian-American comedy content. They’re certainly not the only Haitian-American comedians in the game, but their popularity has shown that there’s enough space for everyone, and that there’s a Haitian-American audience ravenous for content that mirror their experiences. In the episode “The Missionaries”, James and Jonas star as Chris and John two green, well-meaning missionaries who travel to Haiti to feed the little children—only to be misunderstood in the worst way by the locals. Haitian-American family life is what gets lampooned the most frequently by James and Jonas. In the skit entitled “A Haitian Thanksgiving“, multi-generational family members gather around the dinner table for a meal, but it’s what’s going on in their lives and the conflicting idealization of culture that leads to indigestion. And what about when that white American friend visits and dad is home? And the needy cousin from Haiti who calls dad and is always asking for things or a remittance?

In my interview with Jonas (CLICK HERE if you missed it), he made it clear that the team isn’t going to be complacent. Innovation is the mantra. The Haitian American Productions team has a web series in motion, and a whole lot more under their little fingernails. This time around it’s James’ turn. Let’s see what he had to say…By the way, James is the one without the beard.

K. St. Fort: What’s James…the team member behind the Haitian Husbands like?

Well, I’m a serious Dolphins fan. Phinphanatic. Season’s not going so well so I thought I’d get that out the way first. Love entertainment…film production is the passion…being able to create something and make someone’s day is a blessing and I appreciate it. Family-oriented. Hopefully, you can tell through the videos. But to sum it all up, easy-going guy who enjoys life to the fullest possible.

K. St. Fort: What made you get into comedy?

I was always a class clown throughout grade school and dare I say a bit of college. It’s just a knack that we decided to put on camera and ran with it. Put it this way: would you believe me if I told you maybe two percent of our videos are scripted?

K. St. Fort: I believe you. Do your parents ever see the videos you’ve made?

Yes, they have.

K. St. Fort: What’s usually their reaction?

They kind of chuckle…well my mom laughs, but my dad can see that I’m doing somewhat of a impression of him especially with the fact that I’m wearing his clothes and all…soooo yeah.

K. St. Fort: What’s the funniest thing that’s happened to you as a person?

I farted in the church van on the way to a concert…only two windows worked.

K. St. Fort: Oh, man…What’s it like working with Jonas?

…No comment (Whispers) “He’s an asshole” [Clears throat]

K. St. Fort: Which comedians do you find to be the most inspiring?

Key and Peele, Kevin Hart, Bernie Mac, Dave Chappelle. Those guys are alright with me!

K. St. Fort: As a comedy team, do you guys ever disagree as to what creative direction to go in with a project? What do you do when those sort of situations arise?

All the time. It’s rare that we don’t, but that’s what makes the video what it is. I guess you can say it’s what pushes the envelope.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT HAITIAN HUSBANDS ON INSTAGRAM| CLICK TO VIEW HAITIAN HUSBANDS VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE| HAITIAN AMERICAN PRODUCTIONS ON FACEBOOK