Clean comedian counts Patton Oswalt and David Letterman among his biggest fans. Hes also a huge hit with Salt Lake City (10+ sold-out shows recently)! See what all the fuss is about Saturday, at the Centre for Performing Arts, 7pm ($29.50-$39.50 from Ticketmaster). Regan spoke with WE about f-bombs, spooning and his failed attempts at prop comedy. Andrea Warner
When I interviewed Patton Oswalt, he talked about you and the genius of how you observe the mundane.
(Laughs) Well, listen, anytime another comedian likes what you do its an incredible compliment because they see behind the curtain. They understand the nuts and bolts of it.
Are you guys friends?
No. In fact, Ive only met him once or twice.
I have this vision: you guys hang out, its really tender, you spoon. But thats totally not the case.
(Laughs) Well, Im spooning as we speak, but not with Patton.
Youve got a big following of people from all of Salt Lake City, apparently, to David Letterman to college kids. And you dont drop the f-bomb.
To me, the clean [comic] thing, I think other people are more interested in it than I am. Its a medium, like someone might like to paint in acrylics. Clean is how I like to do comedy. It has nothing to do with me being a prude or being wholesome. I can be kind of dark and twisted off stage with my friends. Im amazed at how much younger people like it, like college kids! It kills me to have a 19-year-old kid go, Man, I love the fact that youre clean! Im like, Jeepers. This just doesnt add up right.
I like that you responded with Jeepers.
(Laughs) Well, when they say Im clean, I have to follow up with something like jeepers. I cant throw the f-word at them. Id lose them altogether!
How much legwork did you do before you felt comfortable being on stage, doing your act in front of people?
When I look back at some of my early stuff, I did a little bit of everything. I was always quirky. I had some four-letter words in some of my jokes, and I also, oddly enough, had some props when I first started. I didnt know where I was coming from; I just knew I wanted to be a comedian. I threw everything at the wall and after you do it for a couple of years, you realize whats sticking. I was such a bad prop comic. I did a joke about the cereal 40% Bran Flakes and when I got to the punchline, I just pulled the box out of the bag, as if the people couldnt just imagine it. (Laughs)
You painted that picture to completion.
