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This Week in Comedy #11 with Eddie Pepitone, Jim Earl & Barry Lank
Sundays at 6pm PDT
Guests
Eddie Pepitone
Jim Earl (Check out Jim’s band, The Clutter Family!)
Barry Lank
Introduction
Ed started the show complaining about the traffic in LA from the Emmy Awards show. He recalled the importance of television to his family when he was growing up. He particularly enjoyed the Ed Sullivan show and the Jerry Lewis Telethon. His father tended to sleep through the television (as winner of the “Willy Loman Lifetime Achievement Award.”)
He also noted that “This Week in Comedy” is the #1 podcast in South Africa from this week. Look out, Morocco, we’re coming for you!
Comedy News with Julie Mitchell
Julie has finally lost her stand-up virginity by performing at Ye Olde King’s Head in Santa Moinca in front of 5 of her friends. She said it made her feel so good, she didn’t even have to take her medication this week. She did note that she had a heckler in the crowd, but she seems to have dealt with it okay.
She wants to go to open mic nights, but she knows they are filled with other comedians who will refuse to laugh, so what’s the point? She’s going to perform less to keep herself in demand.
- Cheech and Chong are in Redding, CA
- Chelsea Handler is the only lady in the news this week. She’s in Atlantic City.
Ed’s Favorite Shows: An Emmy Night Special
The Dick Van Dyke Show: “Coast to Coast Blabbermouth”
Interview with Eddie Pepitone and Jim Earl
Eddie appeared in the big Emmy’s opening number with a variety of stars, including Tina Fey, Jon Hamm, Jorge Garcia, Joel McHale and the cast of “Glee.” He played a janitor. He’s the go-to blue collar comedian when they need someone who can play an everyman but also be funny.
It was overwhelming for Eddie to be around all the celebrities. He goes through the seven stages of grief…At first, he’s angry. Eventually, he came to acceptance. He feels that the appearance helped him to build some credibility.
Jim has also won an Emmy for his work writing on “The Daily Show” back in 2001.
Ed’s Favorite Shows: An Emmy Night Special
All in the Family: “The Stivics Go West”
More Interview with Eddie Pepitone and Jim Earl
Eddie talked about how he felt a good modern show in the “All in the Family” style is “Modern Family.”
The guests and host agree that good comedy also has an element of tragedy and pathos to it. WC Fields had even a look of flaws and tragedy to him, as opposed to the “models” who star in contemporary comedies. If you don’t look flawed, you can’t be in a comedy.
The panel then discussed “Entourage,” which Ed thought was a documentary and he wanted to be part of it. Eddie said the show peaked in the third episode:
- Jim, have you had an experience in show business of feeling proud of something you’ve put out there?
Everything and nothing.
Ed’s Favorite Shows: An Emmy Night Special
“Suicide is Painless” from the movie MASH: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVUXPjFWfX4
More Interview with Eddie Pepitone, Jim Earl and Barry Lank
In hindsight, Barry’s very thankful for Lank and Earl, which allowed him to see the country. At the time, though, he was broke, so it wasn’t great.
- How did Jim and Barry meet up?
They went to high school together in Claremont, CA. Jim was older and had a car.
Jim and Barry did a version of their old bit, “The Comedy Team of Bad and Worse.” It involves bad dancing.
- Barry, you produced a web series?
It was an audio play/podcast starring many fine people you’ve never heard of. It was called “The Obscure County Election That Changed Nothing.” He’s working on a follow-up now.
Ed then reminisced about some of Lank and Earl’s shows at the Holy City Zoo, an influential San Francisco comedy club.
Lank and Earl perform Jackie Funn at the Holy City Zoo
There was a lot of pathos in that bit. They were speaking truth to power.
- Tell us more about the Holy City Zoo and your experiences there…
It was the best place to go, because you could do anything you wanted. They’d give you 5-10 minutes and would give anyone a shot on stage. The open mics were the best because crazy people would wander in off the street and go on stage.
Pepitone loves little artsy spaces as opposed to comedy clubs. To quote Andy Kindler: “Comedy in a comedy club? That sounds dicey.” People come to comedy clubs with expectations, because it’s a “night out.” They’re there to have a drink and enjoy themselves, not see comedy.
He does a lot of solo shows, because his comedy is full of pathos.
“The Big Push” by Eddie Pepitone on iTunes
A lot of his comedy is about mental illness. He saw a bus ad that said “Don’t face mental illness alone,” which inspired him to write a character who was forced to speak about his mental illness during halftime at the Knicks game at Madison Square Garden.
Barry doesn’t relate to anything Eddie says. His anger issues have been resolved and he thinks mocking the mentally ill is just mean. Eddie compares Barry to Demitri Martin, who has resolved all his issues and just points to a clipboard during his shows.
- Jim, tell us about writing for Air America (which is now defunct)
Jim had written for Marc Maron’s show on Air America, which he enjoyed, but he had a hard time writing for the other hosts. He would write around the clock, at night for the morning show and then during the day for the other shows. They panel agreed that it’s too difficult for a comedian to write all day.
- Is New York more conducive to writing?
If you live in New York, it’s hell, because you’re broke. The only people who enjoy being there are tourists.
Ed brought up one of his favorite overlooked comics, Warren Thomas:
He was really quick and he would go very meta, and dissect his act on stage. Thomas died in 2005 of a blood clot and was celebrated afterwards by numerous comedians, including Chris Rock and Greg Proops.
- Who influenced you when you were in the clubs?
Eddie said Jon Stewart was an early influence, before he was anybody. He also saw Ray Romano when he was performing at the Comic Strip. His heroes include Jonathan Winters and Robin Williams.
Jonathan Winters and Robin Williams with Dave Letterman
- Barry, anything you want to say to South Africa?
He admires their women and their unique latitude.
Ed was going to play a clip from Nick DiPaolo, but was informed he’s right-wing. So instead, he played a Judy Gold clip.
That’s it for this week’s show. Tune in in 2 weeks for “Trekkies” director Roger Nygard!
