By April MacIntyre Mar 27, 2008, 20:54 GMT
One of the regulars from the sorely missed Colin Quinn's "Tough Crowd" show on Comedy Central is the very funny Bostonian, Robert Kelly, a hyperkinetic comic with lots of issues.
Kelly has a unique twist on commitment fears, sex, addiction issues, therapy and other blue chip stock comedy subjects.
His latest Comedy Central CD almost an hour of his best material. It was recorded in his hometown club to hundreds of townies and local fans.
The DVD consists of his Comedy Central Presents special as well as an exclusive full-length documentary featuring Dane Cook, Colin Quinn, Jim Norton, and others.
Road warrior Robert can be seen in many movies and TV shows, including a co-starring role in Dane Cook's "Tourgasm" series. He tours constantly. His new comedy DVD will be available April 8th.
Monsters and Critics had a chance to catch up with Robert Kelly:
Tell me how you first got into comedy, what propelled you to do that? Your first open-mike night and where was it?
Robert Kelly: I did a talent show in college and as a gag I remember getting that first laugh it was better than sex cause it lasted longer. So I quit college and have been doing it ever since.
I try to explain to non-New Englanders that it’s nearly impossible to lose weight living there, the roast beef sandwiches, Kelly's in Revere, Emack and Bolios, Santarpios Pizza, not to mention easy access to Fluff, Kane's donuts in Saugus, Devil Dogs and the million great fried clam shacks everywhere. What is your guilty regional pleasure you would totally miss if you lived in Los Angeles while you are creating your wicked awesome hit TV series to replace the void left by Kevin James and Ray Romano?
Robert Kelly: I just got hungry hearing that question. I would have to say Kelly’s Roast Beef: Laaaaaahge Roast beef laaaaaaahge French Fry's, diet coke and then a night of acid reflux.
God those were the days
Kelly-you’re Irish-tell me you aren't really going to a therapist?
Robert Kelly: I really do go a therapist twice a week - he is just a hired friend. All my friends are comics and they suck… so I pay him to be my friend - his advice stinks though, he just states the obvious.
I told him I was eating all day and sleeping all day; he told me I was depressed. Really? I thought I was raised by bears jackass. Like Monk says when he walks into his therapist - THIS IS WHERE IT ALL DOESNT HAPPEN
Can you tell our readers the "Southie" (South Boston) method of sorting yourself out?
Robert Kelly: Get drunk, punch someone, say sorry, repeat.
Getting back to your wicked awesome starring vehicle for TV, who would you select to be the comedy brain-trust to sit with you in the writer's room?
Robert Kelly: Anyone. I need to be back on TV. I would let Britney Spears write a show for me at this point
What is it about Boston that makes it such a fertile comedy ground?
Robert Kelly: The key factor to comedy is Tragedy and in Boston there is a lot of that to deal with - you become a tough guy or you become funny. I chose funny because I hate getting hit in the face.
Imagine that Comedy Central gives you your own show to assemble comedians and dish about what's grinding your collective gears, who would you have on?
Robert Kelly: Jim Norton Patrice O’ Neil, Rich Voss, Dane Cook, Louis CK, Colin Quinn... Oh wait they already cancelled that show (Tough Crowd )
###
Here is a link to the official e-card from Robert Kelly’s new CD/DVD Just The Tip. HERE
Your Talkback on this Story