Local social media comedian, Omo Hefner, making waves

Omoro “Omo Hefner” Harrington is arguably the most watched, talked about and laughed over original comedic content creator in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

Harrington uses his various social media platforms to create and post videos that bring light to social issues, albeit in a comedic way, in areas like politics, entertainment, health and even natural disasters.

“I just want to make people laugh without being disrespectful to anyone, you know, ease the stress of everyday life,” Harrington told SEARCHLIGHT during an exclusive interview on Thursday.

Harrington, originally from Old Montrose/Block 2000, and a past student of the Bishop’s College Kingstown (BCK) said the TikTok platform made it easier for him to release his videos more regularly and he started doing that in 2020 and was surprised at the response.

“I just like the fun and jokes so I started on TikTok because the features are good. I did not have the proper applications before TikTok so by using this platform and another editing application I taught myself…”, he explained.

“I just look at things that are going on and the ideas come to meet me. Sometimes I’m not even looking for stuff to put out but by reading online or watching online, the inspiration comes,” Harrington said.

Some of his most popular posts include a prison concert do over in 2020; a “jam pon it” carnival video in 2021; Club Soufriere, a play on the explosive eruption of La Soufriere in 2021; and the recent verbal altercation in parliament between Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves and Major St Clair Leacock, Parliamentary Representative for Central Kingstown (almost 40,000 views, over 1000 likes and 773 shares on Facebook).

“I deal with current issues from all over the world and anything I see, if I can spice it up, I spice it up. Even if it serious I will try to make it joyful and help people get some joy and laugh a bit, ease the stress. A lot of people enjoy the stuff,” Harrington noted.

He said over the years, he has had positive feedback from persons on the streets, and on social media, and from persons he poked fun at.

One of his more memorable acts was of the incident where vendors at the Kingstown Market had their wares dumped by the Kingstown Town Board last year.

“It is very good reactions and when I walking in the streets people show me real love ever since I started.

“I never get negative comments at all because if I’m acting like somebody, I’m not disrespecting you. Even if I’m acting you, you supposed to laugh at yourself when you see it,” Harrington explained, while noting that he has done comedic expressions on persons like artistes Shaunelle McKenzie, journalist Fonando Horne, lawyer Jomo Thomas, former politician and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Medicinal Cannabis Authority Dr Jerrol Thompson and dancehall artiste Vasita ‘Sita D Lyrical Diva’ Cain.

“It takes me about a day to do one of the videos because it has to make me laugh for me to put it out. If it doesn’t make me laugh I would not put it out. I watch it over and over and it has to make me laugh,” the comedian told SEARCHLIGHT.

He said the props he makes the props he uses and his co-workers at Finishing and Furnishing would sometimes help him. He is a sales clerk and delivery supervisor at that business enterprise.

Harrington has recently started to make videos with his eight year old son, Christiano, who is a student at the St. Mary’s Roman Catholic School.

“My son loves it. He is always ready,” Harrington said.

When asked if he will eventually transition into stand-up comedy, Harrington gave an emphatic “No” as he describes himself as a naturally shy and quiet person.

“I am not really stand up comedy material because if you know me, I’m a shy person who doesn’t really speak much, that is not my style. Creating something and being creative is my field. I’m not really that kind of person to do stand up,” he stresses.

Harrington can be found as Omo Hefner on Facebook; hefner_omo on Instagram; on YouTube as Omo Hefner and hefner_omo on TikTok.

His social media name, Omo Hefner, is a shortened form of his first name and a play on controversial American magazine publisher, Hugh Hefner who is also the founder and was editor-in-chief of Playboy magazine.

“That’s my grandfather,” Harrington joked during the interview while promising his more than 5000 social media followers more entertaining content for the whole of 2023 and beyond.

RELATED ARTICLE: Comedian Shevrelle Candyman Millan retires character