| Interviews |
| Terms | FAQ | Staff | About Us | Contact Us ©2005-2007 STAGE TIME - The Magazine That Stands Up For Comedy. All rights reserved. |
BACK ISSUES INTERVIEWS Stand-Up Comedians Jim Norton Robert Kelly Donnell Rawlings Brad Stine Tammy Pescatelli Leighann Lord George Sarris Nick DiPaolo Russ Meneve Shang and more By Tasha A. Harris, NYC Comedy Journalist STAGE TIME The Magazine That Stands Up For Comedy |
By Tasha A. Harris, Editor-In-Chief
You Can't Judge a Comic By What
You See on Reality TV
TAMMY PESCATELLI
Reveals What You Didn't See on
Last Comic Standing 2
You See on Reality TV
TAMMY PESCATELLI
Reveals What You Didn't See on
Last Comic Standing 2
Tammy Pescatelli is one of the most recognizable and funniest
comedians working today. She has come a long way since co-
hosting the morning show on KPXR 98.9 FM in Illinois over 13
years ago. The two-time Addie award winner has appeared on The
Tonight Show, Break TV’s Evening at the Improv, and took home the
top prize at the Bud Light Ladies of Laughter.
comedians working today. She has come a long way since co-
hosting the morning show on KPXR 98.9 FM in Illinois over 13
years ago. The two-time Addie award winner has appeared on The
Tonight Show, Break TV’s Evening at the Improv, and took home the
top prize at the Bud Light Ladies of Laughter.
But it was Last Comic Standing 2 that gave the top five finalist the opportunity to showcase her
sharp comedic skills to millions of viewers on prime-time television. The controversial show also
exposed its need to create drama, in which viewers watched Tammy conspire with ANT, squabble
with Bonnie McFarlane and defeat Todd Glass in the head-to-head elimination show.
STM talked to Tammy in a telephone interview a few weeks before the premiere of her Comedy
Central Presents special. Interestingly, the comic I spoke to was not the bitchy reality TV stock
character that we are accustomed to seeing, but a down-to-earth working comic who speaks
candidly about what really happened on the show and how she keeps it all in perspective.
You started out in Cleveland in the early 90s. What was the comedy scene like at that time and
who are some of the comedians that you worked with at the Cleveland Improv?
When I started in Cleveland, all of the guys like Drew Carey, John Henton, Steve Harvey and
Arsenio were out in a LA. But there was a group of people who were all coming up when
I started: Larry the Cable Guy, Ron White, Rodney Carrington, Mark Gross, Kathleen Madigan,
and a ton of others. They aren't from Cleveland. It is just that we all saw each other over and
over on the road. There are only so many comedians who work these clubs.
There were quite a few people in the open mike group, so that was tough. Eventually I became
one of the house MC's and that gave a little more time-at least when it was your week.
What advice do you have for comics who work at a club as waiters/bartenders in exchange for
stage time and are struggling to get owners to recognize them as seasoned comics?
As soon as you have 15 minutes and get booked a little - quit. Move to a different city.
That city will see you as a comic. The other will always see you as a bartender.
What is your writing process?
I am constantly writing. It doesn't mean it is good, or will make it to the stage. But it's a way
you look at life - your voice. Eventually, you recognize the funny in events. Some people sit
down every morning, with coffee and write for an hour-that's not my way. I write with a "muse"
as I am so inspired. A lot of things come from stage, when you relax, feel the moment and
aren't afraid to throw something out there. Then again, a lot of silence happens that way as well.
You won the Bud Light Ladies of Laughter in 2000. What was your experience participating in the
contest and what are you thoughts in general about comedy contests?
…I really believe that all contests have projected winners. Anything that’s sponsored by corporate
America, they know where they want to put their money; if you don’t fit their image…I don’t know
how that happened for me. What happened is that I got to meet a really cool people and see so
many talented people. I got to go on this nationally syndicated radio show called The Bob and Tom
Show and they really helped my career because they have five million listeners. That year
winning, I was supposed to get - one of the prizes was to be on Premium Blend. I’ve have not
gotten ‘til this day Premium Blend.
How did winning the contest help your career?
Going on The Bob and Tom Show to afterwards just being the winner – I was barely a headliner at
that point, and it really started my fan base. Clubs were willing to headline me based on Bud
Light.
sharp comedic skills to millions of viewers on prime-time television. The controversial show also
exposed its need to create drama, in which viewers watched Tammy conspire with ANT, squabble
with Bonnie McFarlane and defeat Todd Glass in the head-to-head elimination show.
STM talked to Tammy in a telephone interview a few weeks before the premiere of her Comedy
Central Presents special. Interestingly, the comic I spoke to was not the bitchy reality TV stock
character that we are accustomed to seeing, but a down-to-earth working comic who speaks
candidly about what really happened on the show and how she keeps it all in perspective.
You started out in Cleveland in the early 90s. What was the comedy scene like at that time and
who are some of the comedians that you worked with at the Cleveland Improv?
When I started in Cleveland, all of the guys like Drew Carey, John Henton, Steve Harvey and
Arsenio were out in a LA. But there was a group of people who were all coming up when
I started: Larry the Cable Guy, Ron White, Rodney Carrington, Mark Gross, Kathleen Madigan,
and a ton of others. They aren't from Cleveland. It is just that we all saw each other over and
over on the road. There are only so many comedians who work these clubs.
There were quite a few people in the open mike group, so that was tough. Eventually I became
one of the house MC's and that gave a little more time-at least when it was your week.
What advice do you have for comics who work at a club as waiters/bartenders in exchange for
stage time and are struggling to get owners to recognize them as seasoned comics?
As soon as you have 15 minutes and get booked a little - quit. Move to a different city.
That city will see you as a comic. The other will always see you as a bartender.
What is your writing process?
I am constantly writing. It doesn't mean it is good, or will make it to the stage. But it's a way
you look at life - your voice. Eventually, you recognize the funny in events. Some people sit
down every morning, with coffee and write for an hour-that's not my way. I write with a "muse"
as I am so inspired. A lot of things come from stage, when you relax, feel the moment and
aren't afraid to throw something out there. Then again, a lot of silence happens that way as well.
You won the Bud Light Ladies of Laughter in 2000. What was your experience participating in the
contest and what are you thoughts in general about comedy contests?
…I really believe that all contests have projected winners. Anything that’s sponsored by corporate
America, they know where they want to put their money; if you don’t fit their image…I don’t know
how that happened for me. What happened is that I got to meet a really cool people and see so
many talented people. I got to go on this nationally syndicated radio show called The Bob and Tom
Show and they really helped my career because they have five million listeners. That year
winning, I was supposed to get - one of the prizes was to be on Premium Blend. I’ve have not
gotten ‘til this day Premium Blend.
How did winning the contest help your career?
Going on The Bob and Tom Show to afterwards just being the winner – I was barely a headliner at
that point, and it really started my fan base. Clubs were willing to headline me based on Bud
Light.