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When any conversation finds itself heading towards the field of comedy, the road irrevocably turns itself into a discussion about Dane Cook. "What! You don't like Dane Cook??" They way they say it is almost a mixture of condescending and concern. "No, not really." I try to shrug it off while kinda-sorta whoring out my favorite comics: Bill Hicks, David Cross, Mitch Hedberg, Dave Attell, and my favorite, Doug fucking Stanhope.
It all started one day when my friend came up to me and handed me a burned CD, telling me to "just listen to it." That CD was Doug Stanhope's "Something to Take the Edge Off." Stanhope's comedy, on top of making me laugh, makes me view a lot of things in a different light--and I think the same can be said about a lot of his fans, hearing people say "you know, I think that Stanhope guy set me straight on..."
In addition to this--and my apologies for getting too zealous here--he can put into words, or reinforce things that I already believed. That is, put into words the smoky ideas that were already kind of there. And for a person to be able to stand up there and tell it like it is--while prescribing it with a sharp dose comedy--is pretty fucking impressive. It's what separates being a true comedian and being a "pretty funny guy."
Take a look for yourself. Here's Doug on Two-Headed Babies:
Before I get too preachy and start crying or something, I recently did a Phat Phree exclusive interview with Doug Stanhope. We talked about zombies, his presidential run in 08', and other interview-y type stuff:
Kane Billings: First off, thanks again for agreeing to do this interview, and I think it's only fair that we start this off on the right foot: I don't know what the hell I'm doing. I feel like a chicken that just escaped from its cage, and doesn't know what to do with its first taste of freedom. So let's start off with the ice breakers: A zombie VS a shark in an underwater battle. Who would win?
Doug Stanhope: Sportsbook.com has Zombie paying +220; I assume the underdog status is due to the shark having home field advantage. But I'll always bet the dog.
KB: A lot of your comedy roots from your being an outcast, or socially deviant. Now that you've reached a certain amount of fame, does any of that change? Do you feel like you still have to argue your point with a certain amount of gusto and vehemence, or do you find yourself in a comfortable pocket, where people will naturally take it in like baby birds because of your withstanding reputation and level of popularity?
DS: Depends on the show. I could probably make a living spoon-feeding people the hits forever but not only would it make me (more) suicidal but it would insure that the fan base I respect would flee like rats. An audience that seems to take everything I say as gold only makes me try harder to test their boundaries.
KB: You're known to be a controversial comic. I've heard you do bits on edgy topics ranging from child pornography to suicide. With that said, is there a limit for you? Anything that you just wouldn't touch? And where's the line that divides something that's said just for the shock factor, and comedy that's shocking?
DS: I only draw the line when there is a very high likelihood of immediate physical violence. And I wouldn't do a bit I didn't believe in just to be controversial. You see guys do that and it's painfully transparent.
KB: Please briefly describe your platform for your presidential run for the Libertarian party in 08'.
DS: My platform is simple. Individual freedom and personal responsibility. Get out of Iraq completely and immediately. End the drug war. Pardon all non-violent drug offenders. Youth rights. Minimize and simplify tax law. And reducing or eliminating the FCC, IRS, ATF, FDA and a whole lot of other initials.
KB: If you win, how long do you think it would take for you to get assassinated?
DS: I think I'm doing a fine job killing myself, thank you.
KB: Here's something I've always wondered about comedians: when you're on stage performing, is there like a set list of jokes, or do you just kind of go with the flow of the crowd?
DS: After 16 years, I can usually just run with my head and go to whatever material- written or spontaneous - fits my mood. That's why recording a CD or DVD is such a pain in the ass because you have to stick to the script to some extent. You don't want to repeat material from other recordings, even if that's where you're head is leaning.
KB: Worst on stage experience?
DS: There's been too many good or bad to pick a favorite. I puked on stage in Liverpool this year but that was pretty funny. All the stories that might sound horrible are usually the shit that makes me laugh. Bad for me is when it's boring.
KB: What's your favorite brand of cigarettes? I'm a Lucky Strike guy myself.
DS: Buy One Get One Free. Today Marlboro Lights, tomorrow maybe Camels or Parliament.
KB: I'm sure you get asked this all the time, and I really hate to be a douche bag and ask it again, but what's your routine (if any) when it comes to writing jokes? What are your influences?
DS: Good question (douche bag). I have no routine and the only influence is finding something funny enough to warrant repeating.
KB: What's one interview question that you absolutely hate getting all the time?
DS: "Where do you get your ideas", "How'd you get started" and "What made you want to be a comedian?" So far, you've only asked one.
KB: In your act, you express a lot of your views and beliefs about society and how things should ideally be. If you could have one of your views or beliefs accepted and implemented into our society, one thing that everyone in the world will take from your act and apply it to their lives, everyday, what would it be?
DS: Mind your own business. In fact "Mind your Business" was on some of the first American coins long before "In God We Trust."
KB: There are strong overtones in your act about how desensitized you are, and numerous mentions about how you've seen every kind of porn there is. With that said, what's the most fucked up thing you've ever seen? One of the top things on my list would have to be synchronized swimming. It just gives me the creeps.
DS: Child birth. There is nothing more disgusting. I've never seen it live but the pictures are enough.
KB: What would you like people to take away from you comedy? Is your goal simply to make people laugh; to make them see things a different way, or give frat boys one-liners (ala Chappelle Show) that they repeat to the point of turning it into a stigma for you?
DS: What people take from it, I have no control over. I do it because it's what I have come to do well and it occasionally feels good. I don't care if they laugh or become enlightened or angry or stare like scared rodents. So long as I put it out there, I feel I've done my part.
KB: How did you decide that you wanted to be a comic?
DS: I knew you'd get to that.
KB: What's your favorite joke?
DS: The punch line is "What's time to a pig?" - You can probably Google it just on that. But you won't laugh.
KB: A bit of a selfish question now, but since you're one of my heroes, I have to ask: how did I hold up on this interview? And, if you have any sort of advice you could give to me, the readers, or the fellow writers of The Phat Phree about comedy, writing, or life in general, we'd be glad to hear it.
DS: The best advice I ever got was to never give advice. When you give advice, you're only telling someone how to be like you. I would have told Dane Cook that his act was pointless and that he should give up. So there you go.
KB: And finally, are there any questions you wish I asked?
DS: I've already forgotten the ones I answered so I'll have to say no.
Posts: 1714 Rank: 9 Joined:
3/13/2007
Location:
Denver, CO
Posted: 4/26/2007 10:15:40 AM
Once again my coworkers gave me the "Whats so fucking funny this early in the morning" look. I had never seen any of this guys stuff before. That two headed baby thing was great. I wonder if asking them to wear a hat, bonnette preferably, would be out of line in that situation?
that you crawled way too fucking far up this guys ass. Yeah he's funny, I've seen his act and laughed a lot, but this kind of outright man-crushing is bit nauseating. Maybe if youi eased up on his cock a little, it would have been better or funny, but now he probably just thinks your a bit of gay, psycho stalker.
ps. writing about someone funny isn't necessarily funny, don't be afraid to add a little humor in there somewhere.
when you'll be posting your next commercial disguised as an "article," so we can be sure to avoid it. Really, it's a little sickening - how much does this guy pay you to be his publicist?
Posts: 3005 Rank: 6 Joined:
12/7/2006
Location:
New York, NY
Posted: 4/26/2007 12:08:17 PM
Doug Stanhope is the fucking man. He looks at life and asks that we try to get more out of it. He refuses to believe that all of the bullshit we do and put up with is necessary. I saw him recently at Gotham Comedy Club here in NYC (it was being taped for Showtime-due to air in June...look for it)) and he absolutely killed. Let's jsut say that he impersonated Jesus on the cross and at one point said "kick-fucking."
Kane Billings may have fellated his interview subject a little too much, but the fact that he chose the subject is a good sign for me.
And I'm definitely voting for Stanhope for president. Join the Libretarian party and hop on board.
Posts: 1476 Rank: 17 Joined:
12/7/2006
Location:
savannah, GA
Posted: 4/26/2007 12:20:32 PM
everyone's bitching and pissing and moaning about these articles being blatant advertisements, but let's be honest- the falcon heart article kicked ass. besides, i do a little blatant advertising of my own. for Belladonna's asshole. it is miraculous. find it on dvd or the internet, and bask in it's small, tight, comforting warmth. the end.
Posts: 915 Rank: 7 Joined:
12/7/2006
Location:
Rock Hill (sucks), SC
Posted: 4/26/2007 1:07:30 PM
I found the sad immediately. Anyone who admits that a stand up comic, "makes me view a lot of things in a different light" is a automaton sheep. And you probably listened raptly as your brainwashing poly sci professor from Dumbass U (not to be confused with Retard State) told you that less government and a free market economy is the downfall of democracy and civilization.
Posts: 5386 Rank: 1 Joined:
12/7/2006
Location:
Philadelphia, PA
Posted: 4/26/2007 1:33:39 PM
I thought this was excellent. I also think its important for the interviewer to like/love his subject in order to make a thorough investigation. Otherwise the questions would be crappy. You did every thing right.
I don't think he crawled up the dudes ass. he's just a fan. jesus christ, could you imagine if I had to interview Juan for tpp??? I just threw up imagining it. That interview would have 1 or 2 questions and lead to an immediate blow job fest. So lay off the author.
Posts: 3005 Rank: 6 Joined:
12/7/2006
Location:
New York, NY
Posted: 4/26/2007 2:01:39 PM
It is NOT vital for the interviewer to love the interviewee. In fact it may be better that he doesn't love the person. The key facets of journalism are honesty and objectivity. If you obsessed woth the subject then it is near impossible for you to write about he/she objectively. It would be like when Homer Simpson was a food critic tha one episode:
"Seven thumbs up? What the hell is that?"
But, as I stated before Doug Stanhope is the man. Soemtime his delieveries area little off, but he nails it most of the time with great subject matter.
Posts: 5386 Rank: 1 Joined:
12/7/2006
Location:
Philadelphia, PA
Posted: 4/26/2007 2:11:13 PM
You're probably more than right. I just wanted to fit Juan and interview into my mouth, i mean post. Plus, I just hate when people are mean to an author. I really have to get over that though.
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