First, what are you up to now? Any projects we should be looking out for?
I’m just happy to get off the ground my Snow Joke Tour soon!. I’ve had one of the more popular shows at the Comedy Store in L.A. for a while now – Eddie Ifft and Friends. I have guys like Bill Burr, David Spade, Ron White – people I’ve gotten to know from doing this for over 29 years now.
But I’ve always been a big skier – I used to go to Seven Springs and was a ski instructor and ski patrol guy there. I spend all of my money now on skiing anyway, so I figured I might as well put comedy and skiing together. I’m performing shows at the top 10 ski resorts in the world.
Including Seven Springs right?
Ha maybe someday!
You’ve done everything from standup and writing to producing and podcasts – is there a format you enjoy the most? Why?
By far I love doing standup the most. Getting on that stage for an hour is what I love – everything before and after that I hate. The business side of it and the travel I hate. But I love performing and trying out new jokes and making it all work on stage and getting laughs and my point of view across.
How did you decide to get started in comedy?
I started in Pittsburgh. My dad worked at an insurance firm and I assumed that’s what I’d end up doing as well. He’d tell me I didn’t have to work so hard – I’d work for him and life would be good. But I thought there was more to the world than that.
I was always a funny guy – I was mischievous and got into trouble at school. I’d prank call radio stations. Then one day I ran into Jimmy Krenn and he told me I should do the open mic at the Funny Bone in Station Square. I did that and they told me I must be lying – that it couldn’t be the first time I did that. I came back next week and the week after that and then they started paying me. I thought that was crazy – I’d pay them to let me do it!
Then I opened for Lewis Black and he asked me what I was doing in Pittsburgh – that I needed to go out to LA or New York – that’s where it was happening. He told me if I went to New York I’d get an audition for Saturday Night Live in two months. That’s kind of what happened.
How has growing up in Pittsburgh – a Fox Chapel guy – influenced your comedy and career?
I always believed I was a Pittsburgh guy – a Yinzer. But other people told me I wasn’t a real Pittsburgher – I grew up in Fox Chapel and there was an attitude about Fox Chapel by a lot of people in Pittsburgh. They’d tell me “Oh, you must be rich!” And not in a good way. It was more like “How dare you!” It was like class warfare. My friends and I – we’d lie about where we lived. We’d tell people “Oh, we’re from out in the North. You know, near Blawnox!”
You’ve toured over 15 countries now – how tough is the grind – it’s not all glamour right?
It’s about finding a routine. I try to figure out how to make it as easy as possible. Easy parking spots, easy car services, easy flights and upgrades. I try to keep travel efficient and convenient.
I also try to pack as few clothes as possible. I want to come back with all dirty clothes – I want to have worn everything and not have needed anything more. I don’t want to carry an extra pound!
Also, I have a young family at home so I want to be there as much as possible. I’m lucky now – I can pick and choose more of where I go. I love to surf, ski and bike. So I pick places that let me do those things so I’m not just waiting around during the day.
Where do you get your inspiration from in terms of your jokes and content – how do you come up with your material?
I like to use my personal life -it’s about where I am at the time. I know Bill Cosby isn’t always the best example, but he was funny when he was single, when he was married and when he had kids. Now, not as a rapist.
But you have to be able to make things funny where you’re at in life. Some guys are the college comedian, or the funny dad guy. But when they’re out of college or their kids are grown up, they’re not as funny any more.
Is it harder today in today’s political/social climate for you as a comedian?
It couldn’t be easier. Everybody who comes to the clubs wants to hear it. They don’t want censorship – they want us to talk about the things no one else will talk about. When things are taboo, it makes it even funnier.
Now, social media has made people popular that are really just one-hit wonders. They have five minutes of material that is popular on social media and they sell tickets to shows because of it. It makes touring more competitive. You used to have to be well-accomplished to do that. Now many of those successes are short-lived.
Is there a moment that stands out to you most over your career – one that says you made it – or a funny/poignant memory?
I wish there were more moments that I held on to – but I have always looked forward. I do remember going back to Pittsburgh for a show and my parents were there to see me get a standing ovation. That was great – having them see that I could do that and it was all worth it.
Also, selling out the Sydney Opera House – I wish I knew then how big of a deal that was. At the time I was just thinking “Oh it’s Australia. It’s not even America.”
A lot of guys from Byrne and Meyers to Mangienello and Gardell all have Pittsburgh ties and love the teams -how big of a sports fan are you? I know you did a year as the ABC College Football Guy and hosted a sports radio show in NY.
I was a massive Pitt fan. My dad was the head of the Pitt Golden Panthers. We had Dan Marino and Tony Dorsett over – they were like part of the family. Johnny Majors was my dad’s best friend and I’d go to the Pitt locker room often and meet the players. So it was a massive part of growing up.
I thought I’d be a football player too but I ended up going to Pitt for track. I became disillusioned at that time about Pitt because the football team then wasn’t very good.
I’m still a big Steelers fan – I love watching them. I’m not a big basketball fan though. My sister was the attorney for Mario Lemieux so I loved the Pens too. And, my grandfather played with Honus Wagner.
Wow – so you had sports all throughout the family.
Yeah – even in boxing. My uncle was Billy Conn who was a local legend and fought Joe Louis. So yeah, I have a lot of Pittsburgh sports connections in my family. We even have Olympians and my wife’s dad who grew up in Bethel Park played for the Eagles.
Any great sports memories/experiences stand out?
One that’s why I’m not a Pirates fan anymore. I remember being in my Pitt fraternity house watching the Pirates in the playoffs play the Braves and lose in the ninth inning. I was just like “What just happened?” That’s when I stopped watching them – it just hurt so bad. It was so painful.
I’m weird. I remember the losses more, I was at the game when Pitt and Dan Marino lost to Penn State 48-14. We were undefeated and ranked number one. We were up 14-0 then lost 48-14. It was brutal.
Anything else you wanted fans to look out for?
Oh yeah. I have two podcasts – one called Talking Shit that’s a comedy podcast. The other is Wodcast podcast that covers fitness and strength training and health and fitness in a fun way.
Also – I have two specials now. Manchild and Sweet Home Malibama.