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The Crime Fighter
A little over a year ago, a friend called and asked me if I wanted to go to a comedy show at the Westwood Brewing Company on the UCLA campus. Every Thursday some of the best comics from around the nation get up in this little room to work out material in front of a bunch of drunk college kids. I was miserable because I had just broken up with my girlfriend and thought watching some comedians get ripped apart by obnoxious kids with backpacks might cheer me up.
As I expected the crowd was rowdy, and established comics were getting beat up. Then "The Crime Fighter" hit the stage. The Crime Fighter is Sam Tripoli, a Comedy Store regular and cult icon in the LA comedy scene. When you first lay eyes on him, you might think he was an undercover cop instead of a comic, but Sam brings it on stage.
That night in Westwood, a heckler decided to mix it up with Sam, and what happened from there was one of the most impressive pieces of crowd work by a comedian I have ever seen. Sam not only worked over the heckler, he took his manhood and dignity away, and left him speechless. After he finished with the kid, Sam asked him, "What are you going to do?" The kid actually got up and walked out of the room. It was awesome.
The Crime Fighter had done his job, and I quickly put him on my list of comics to go see whenever I could.
It's been over a year since that incident, and Tripoli has done a lot of damage since then. I also got to know Sam pretty well, so on a chilly Los Angeles weekday, we sat down for lunch and talked about his new TV show on Spike TV, the state of stand-up comedy, and something called "The Kate Moss".
For those of you who have never had the pleasure of seeing Sam do stand up, here's his set from Comedy Central's "Premium Blend".
The Phat Phree- Can I call you The Crime Fighter?
Sam Tripoli - Yeah.
TPP - I've heard you were the only comic in the history of "Premium Blend" to receive a standing oviation. Is that true?
ST - I think there was one or two other guys, but I was one of the very few. Somebody said (the others) were Dane Cook and Judith Frielander. I didn't see my standing-O. They made me walk off stage and everyone ran back and said, "Oh my god, you got a standing-O". I am the Black Sabbath of stand-up comedy, make no doubt about it.
TPP - Who do you think are the best comics working the scene today?
Joe Rogan. Doug Stanhope. Bill Burr. Steve Byrne. Greg Geraldo, Dave Attel (best of the best)-I don't like stand-up, but I like certain stand-up. There's a lot of conning going on in stand-up right now. I'm not into the shinny object comedy, like boy band comedy. You know, the "let's make the girls feel good." I can't stand that. I try to go up with honesty and truth and take a chance.
TPP - You said you don't like stand-up right now. Why is that?
ST- I don't know what happened to stand-up. I read something interesting that we are in a depression era of entertainment; meaning that back during the depression it was all about shiny, happy, and positive stuff. That's where we are with stand-up. With the exception of a funny guy like Daniel Tosh, a lot of dark comics are finding it tough to make it on the road-unless you were around in the 80's and you were already in. It's a fight anymore to go up there with an opinion. Good luck getting into the clubs trying to be edgy at first.
TPP - Speaking of dark and edgy, you have bit where you describe a sex act called "The Kate Moss" (Somebody jerks off onto a table, and a girl snorts it up). Have you ever seen a girl actually do that?
ST- - No, but I will pay BIG BUCKS to have a women do it. Contact me.
TPP - What was your take on Michael Richards?
ST - It's safe knowing he's not going to be at a comedy show committing war crimes for a half an hour. What he said was wrong, but Joe Rogan said it best, "He was an open mic-er in prime time real estate." I'm talking stage time. If you hit the big stage, you better be a 10-year veteran. Or since it was the Laugh Factory, you better be a good promoter having ten thousand friends on MySpace.
On the flip side. I think its bullshit those people are trying to sue him for money. I don't know what's happening with that but it got quiet fast. The bottom line is, if you are you coming to comedy show- shut the fuck up. If you're going to heckle, prepare to hear the meanest things you ever heard in your life. If we can start suing people for hearing things we don't like, prepare to hear from my legal council because I'm suing a lot of comedians.
TPP - You have any funny heckling stories?
ST - There's a lot of them. I got to bring in New Years (at the Comedy Store), that was a lot of fun. A blind guy heckled me, and I ripped him a new asshole, that was fun. This guy was heckling everyone on stage and ruining their acts. Nobody wanted to say anything to hurt his feelings because he was blind, but I was like, I got nothing to lose. I'm going to shred this dude so he'll shut the hell up. He was obnoxious, so fuck 'em!
TPP - That Premium Blend bit about the handicapped stripper is one of my favorites. When was the last time you were at the Spearmint Rhino?
ST - I was there a month and a half ago recruiting strippers for the show.
TPP - Yeah, tell me about your new show on SpikeTV.
ST - The show is called "Wild World of Spike", and stars Jason Ellis - World Champion skateboarder, Kit Cope - UFC and Mauy Thai Champion, and Me - crimefighting comedic superstar. Basically it's "Mystery Science Theatre 3000" meets "Jackass," and I do my own stunts! We take some of the craziest sports videos from the web and television and show them while Jason, Kit and I make hysterical comments about them. Then, one of us challenges the others to compete in that sport to see who's the bigger man (or idiot). The show is a perfect blend of comedy, action, and violence. Fun for the whole family! The show is pure and allows me to be myself. I get to do my thing, and that's what appeals to me the most. I couldn't think of a better show for me to do at this point.
TPP - You're headlining a little event we are putting on called Chadzumockapalooza: Sam Tropoli Strikes Back! You got anything special planned?
ST- I'm going in guns blazing! Chances are somebody's dying. Either I'm going to get carried off stage as the savior of the planet or I'm going to scorch the earth. The place is going to get set on fire. I have no problem burning down the Hollywood Improv that night. End of the world-type of shit!
TPP - We are about done, but there is one more thing. We play this game with everyone we interview. It's called The Phat 5--five quick questions that help us learn a little about you.
The Phat 5 questions
1) First thing that comes to mind when I say "Dane Cook".
ST - I hear he's putting out music, so good luck with that.
2) Who is your favorite John Carpenter? The one who directed Escape from New York, or the one who killed Bob Crane.
ST - The Escape from New York Carpenter-even though Col. Hogan was a freak! I respect Col. Hogan because he wasn't doing for PR, he was doing it for the love of the game.
3)Who was the greatest host ever for the Family Feud- Richard Dawson, Ray Combs, Louie Anderson, or Richard Karn?
ST - Dawson. He was a straight up sex offender on that show.
4) Celebrity sex tapes are cool right now. If you had to make celebrity porn, whom would it be with?
ST - That big red head from the "That 70's Show". She's a hot, big chick! Viking Chick Hot! I like sex dangerous-the type where I want to feel like someone could die, ya know? Two people enter the bedroom, one person leaves kind of shit! I also think Juliette Lewis would be someone I could do some damage with.
5) The Bible- True or False?
ST - A combo of both. Religion is like a car accident. Five witnesses saw it and everyone has their own version oF how it happened. I'm just going to start my own religion with a pop-up comic book for my bible. Make it fun!
TPP - Thank you for your time Sam Tripoli, you just got interviewed by the Phat Phree. Welcome to the Phamily.
ST - I just got named Rock God of Stand-up comedy by Rock God Magazine. I am also the 37th greatest stunt man in Stunt Man Magazine. I beat out the entire cast of "Armed and Famous".
TPP- That's Great Sam.
Check out Sam Tripoli headlining with Sara Silverman, and more very funny people TONIGHT at the Hollywood Improv. Show starts at 10PM. Click here for more information.
Also be sure to check out "Wide World of Spike" on SpikeTV Fridays at midnight, and reairing the following Thursday at 11:30PM.
Posts: 1542 Rank: 6 Joined:
12/7/2006
Location:
New York, NY
Posted: 1/18/2007 9:11:42 AM
While he may not be the greatest stand-up of all time he was able to market himself pretty well and thus, he's the most popular. It seems all these comics like to rip on him in interviews just because he's successful. Any comic who's able to play Madison Square Garden is obviously doing something right.
Posts: 1054 Rank: 12 Joined:
12/7/2006
Location:
two up two down, VA
Posted: 1/18/2007 11:01:26 AM
chad- who were you rimming in this article? tripoli? or yourself?
(i miss the guy that would always call you out for including a photo of yourself in your articles for no reason. tripoli's a good egg. solid interview. 4mfds)
Posts: 30 Rank: 2069 Joined:
10/21/2005
Location:
Los Angeles, CA
Posted: 1/18/2007 11:29:36 AM
Funny thing, I was going to post naked pictures of your mom but the internet wouldn't allow it. (She's that bad)
The bottom line is this, you can hate on me, say what you want, but I would never come into your job and talk shit about you while you're cooking fries.
Next time I'll post a picture of me so you'll have something to jerk-off too.
Question: when watching Spike TV, how many times per hour are you required to scratch your package? Is 3 enough? Does it matter what time zone you are in? Can your "old lady" do it for you, at least part of the time? Please advise.
Posts: 1054 Rank: 12 Joined:
12/7/2006
Location:
two up two down, VA
Posted: 1/18/2007 12:06:58 PM
fast food employee joke? check.
masturbation joke? check.
do comedy clubs have teleprompters? jesus zumock, here is $.39 to pay for your postage stamp.
i wasn't hating on you- i was joking on the guy that would do the picture thing.. i thought it was good (solid interview) and gave you a 4mfds (4mfds).
Posts: 207 Rank: 42 Joined:
1/15/2007
Location:
My mom doesnt live in texas, WA
Posted: 1/18/2007 12:22:21 PM
Oh deuce did you see what he did there? He called you a line cook!! Oh shit man, I bet that burns!! Almost as bad as that one time you dropped the fries in too fast and the oil splashed...
Posts: 30 Rank: 2069 Joined:
10/21/2005
Location:
Los Angeles, CA
Posted: 1/18/2007 12:26:50 PM
That's fine, and I was joking about your mom being so hideous that they won't allow her on the internet. That's not true and wrong to say because I saw her on www.guyfuckingahorse.com
Here's the thing, you are entitled to say whatever you want or think whatever you want. (Good or bad) But the bottom line is this, I've been writing for The Phat Phree since the very first issue in 96. That's 10 years of people coming and going, so I don't really give a shit if you like my shit or not. Give it one mfds. for all I care. Either way, I paid my dues and I'll write whatever I want.
Posts: 1054 Rank: 12 Joined:
12/7/2006
Location:
two up two down, VA
Posted: 1/18/2007 12:55:11 PM
or career builder / monster.com?
thanks for posting your resume, "champ" and really, "here is the thing" - i never said that you hadn't paid dues (wtf does that have to do with anything?) or that you couldn't write whatever you wanted. i was merely making fun of a jackass commenter that used to post a while ago (i've been commenting for a year and a half!) on every one of your articles and would bitch that you posted your picture. that is all. in my head, i am trying to close the gap in humor that allows you to jump from great articles (such as paul kersey chron. and this one) to "momma jokes" and can't do it. please send help.
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