FAIRBANKS — Just say what is funny.

It seems pretty straight forward but comedian Bobby Miyamoto spent three long days this week expanding on that simple guideline.

“For the most part, you’re either funny or you’re not. I can give advice here and there, but I try not to play God or anything like that,” the professional stand-up comedian said of his role as mentor at the ninth annual Fairbanks Funny Festival.

Miyamoto traveled to Fairbanks early in the week to work at three workshop sessions for the local festival, organized by local comedians Jerry Evans and Glen Anderson. Every year a headline comedian is invited to work with local aspiring funny men and women, hoping to teach “the many rules of stand-up.”

“People don’t think there are rules involved in comedy, but there are,” Anderson said.

Fliers for the festival claim comedians “young, old, life of the party, shy, everybody” will learn to structure a short stand-up routine, “then perform in front of a supportive and encouraging audience.” That in itself has been enough to bring in dozens of comedians each year, many of whom return year after year to participate; some have even gone on to start comedy careers of their own. This year participation comes with the promise of working side-by-side with Miyamoto and opening for one of his two scheduled acts at the Blue Loon this weekend.

“I don’t take it too seriously. I don’t have a political message, I don’t have an agenda, I just like to have a good time,” the comedian, seen on the likes of Comedy Central’s “Premium Blend” and the “Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson,” said. “I don’t try to be like a math professor or something, I just give advice where I can. I don’t think anyone really knows what’s ‘right’ or what’s wrong.’”

Right or wrong, Miyamoto helped locals at the Blue Loon this week and will take the stage as headliner tonight and Saturday. He advised Fairbanksans to come ready to laugh, but not to be too critical of the newcomers to the stage.

“If you don’t like me, just don’t say, ‘I can’t believe this guy was helping out,’” he said with a laugh.

Born and raised in Boise, Idaho, Miyamoto learned comedy first by writing it and eventually by living it. A broadcast major at Arizona State University, he switched to writing and eventually started writing jokes. That led him to the stage.

“I moved to L.A. and started doing the open mic nights, clubs, all that stuff,” he said, noting he worked his way up the food chain. “Eventually I was getting enough gigs that I quit my job and just started doing it.”

Miyamoto has seen his share of success since then, having appeared on Comedy Central, late night TV, the Animal Planet’s “The A-List,” and the syndicated show “Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen.” While enjoying his life on the road currently, he said he hopes to move back into writing down the road and spend more time in his current home, New York City.

“I don’t want to keep traveling late into my career. I really love New York and would like to spend more time there eventually,” he said.

Despite all that time on the road, involvement in the 2009 Funny Festival marked his first trip to Alaska. Glad to notch it off his “States to See” list — it was state number 44 for him — he said he was interested in “seeing how people live up there.”

“I’m wondering what to be prepared for. That cold (below zero) sounds pretty crazy to me, but I guess I can knock Alaska off my list. I’m glad to go,” he said during a phone interview while on his way to Fairbanks earlier in the week.

All participants in the Funny Festival will take the stage either tonight or Saturday, opening for Miyamoto. Shows start at 8 p.m., tickets available at Gulliver’s Books and at The Blue Loon.

What: 9th annual Fairbanks Funny Festival, featuring local comedians and headliner Bobby Miyamoto

When: 8 p.m. tonight and Saturday

Where: The Blue Loon

Tickets: $12 in advance, $15 da of show, available at Gullivers Books and The Blue Loon

Contact Features Editor Erica Goff at 459-7523.

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