NoFilterPaul
08-25-2006, 02:17 PM
Opie & Anthony's Virus tour showcases Carlos Mencia and eight other comedians
Friday, August 25, 2006
By ED CONDRAN
SPECIAL TO THE RECORD
WHO: Carlos Mencia.
WHAT: Opie & Anthony’s Traveling Virus tour, which also includes Bob
Saget, Jim Norton, Rich Vos, Bill Burr, Patrice Oneal CQ and Tracy Morgan.
WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday Aug. 26.
WHERE: PNC Bank Arts Center, Exit 116 Garden State Parkway, Holmdel; 732-203-2500.
HOW MUCH: $33.25 to $65.50, Ticketmaster.
If Bill Maher hadn’t called his show “Politically Incorrect,” that would have been the perfect name for Carlos Mencia’s Comedy Central vehicle, “Mind of Mencia.” The program features stand-up, skits and man-on-the-street interviews. In it, as in his stand-up routines, Mencia doesn’t care
whom he offends. The 38-year-old Honduran-American comic will take shots at everyone Saturday in Opie & Anthony’s Traveling Virus tour.
Mencia recently took a breather from his intense schedule to chat about his provocative material, “Mind of Mencia” and his hardscrabble childhood.
On his show: My show is honest. If you watch my show, you might get ticked off because I nailed some sacred cow, and the same goes for if you see me live.
On goofing on the disabled: That’s my way of saying, “You’re not invisible in my world.” You know what? I got feedback from people with disabilities who thanked me for including them and not ignoring them. We’re all in this world together. People would rather be included than excluded.
On political correctness and comedy: Why are people so upset about words? Why don’t we talk about the truth anymore? Everybody is afraid of what other people are going to say. … I do what I think is funny. I’m a comedian. The problem is that people take what I say too seriously. What I say is intended to make you laugh. That’s the bottom line. It’s not about agreeing or disagreeing with me. To take a comedian, any comedian, seriously is a mistake. We do toss things at the audience to get a reaction, but in the end, it’s just to get a laugh. I don’t know how people fail to
realize this or forget this.
On American audiences: They love their pop culture. They know what’s going on with Brad Pitt and the reality shows. But when you talk about serious situations, they don’t know what’s going on. I don’t understand that when you mention Iran, that people’s response is like, “What's happening there?” How can you not know what’s happening? It amazes me.
On ditching an electrical-engineering degree program at Cal State to pursue comedy: My parents were livid. It didn’t make sense to them, but it made sense to me. Sure, I could have had a job that gave me security, but I didn’t want to live that life.
On what he does for fun: I have a huge thing for motorcycles. I just love them. I have seven right now. I can get lost in video games. I can play them for hours. I’ve always loved
and played sports. I still play golf and soccer. I even bowl now.
On his future: I want to make the show the best it can possibly be. I’m working hard on that and on my live shows. I really appreciate where I’m at right now.
Copyright © 2006 North Jersey Media Group Inc.
Friday, August 25, 2006
By ED CONDRAN
SPECIAL TO THE RECORD
WHO: Carlos Mencia.
WHAT: Opie & Anthony’s Traveling Virus tour, which also includes Bob
Saget, Jim Norton, Rich Vos, Bill Burr, Patrice Oneal CQ and Tracy Morgan.
WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday Aug. 26.
WHERE: PNC Bank Arts Center, Exit 116 Garden State Parkway, Holmdel; 732-203-2500.
HOW MUCH: $33.25 to $65.50, Ticketmaster.
If Bill Maher hadn’t called his show “Politically Incorrect,” that would have been the perfect name for Carlos Mencia’s Comedy Central vehicle, “Mind of Mencia.” The program features stand-up, skits and man-on-the-street interviews. In it, as in his stand-up routines, Mencia doesn’t care
whom he offends. The 38-year-old Honduran-American comic will take shots at everyone Saturday in Opie & Anthony’s Traveling Virus tour.
Mencia recently took a breather from his intense schedule to chat about his provocative material, “Mind of Mencia” and his hardscrabble childhood.
On his show: My show is honest. If you watch my show, you might get ticked off because I nailed some sacred cow, and the same goes for if you see me live.
On goofing on the disabled: That’s my way of saying, “You’re not invisible in my world.” You know what? I got feedback from people with disabilities who thanked me for including them and not ignoring them. We’re all in this world together. People would rather be included than excluded.
On political correctness and comedy: Why are people so upset about words? Why don’t we talk about the truth anymore? Everybody is afraid of what other people are going to say. … I do what I think is funny. I’m a comedian. The problem is that people take what I say too seriously. What I say is intended to make you laugh. That’s the bottom line. It’s not about agreeing or disagreeing with me. To take a comedian, any comedian, seriously is a mistake. We do toss things at the audience to get a reaction, but in the end, it’s just to get a laugh. I don’t know how people fail to
realize this or forget this.
On American audiences: They love their pop culture. They know what’s going on with Brad Pitt and the reality shows. But when you talk about serious situations, they don’t know what’s going on. I don’t understand that when you mention Iran, that people’s response is like, “What's happening there?” How can you not know what’s happening? It amazes me.
On ditching an electrical-engineering degree program at Cal State to pursue comedy: My parents were livid. It didn’t make sense to them, but it made sense to me. Sure, I could have had a job that gave me security, but I didn’t want to live that life.
On what he does for fun: I have a huge thing for motorcycles. I just love them. I have seven right now. I can get lost in video games. I can play them for hours. I’ve always loved
and played sports. I still play golf and soccer. I even bowl now.
On his future: I want to make the show the best it can possibly be. I’m working hard on that and on my live shows. I really appreciate where I’m at right now.
Copyright © 2006 North Jersey Media Group Inc.