Pretty good Jimmy article in the local paper..
http://www.recordonline.com/archive/...com-04-07.html
Jim Norton of Opie and Anthony
By Germain Lussier
Times Herald-Record
glussier@th-record.com
At Bananas this weekend, comedian Jim Norton will be selling T-shirts embroidered with the phrase "Monster Rain." A game he played as a child, "Monster Rain" is a good illustration of the cringe comic: unassuming and childish exterior, horrific and hilarious interior. It symbolizes a natural unpredictably that makes him one of the most well-known comics you may not have heard of.
"If you had to sell yourself to an audience of people who know nothing about you, what would you say?" I ask Norton in a phone interview.
"Hold on, sweetie, let me pay for my lunch and think about that," Norton says in an understated, calm voice. He calls the delivery man "Mister," gives him a $4 tip and answers the question.
"Kind of Disney-ish, but I think AIDS is funny."
Ladies and gentlemen, the dual nature of Mr. James Norton.
Audiences might know Norton because he's done "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" three times, was on "Tough Crowd With Colin Quinn" for two years, had a small part in "Spider-Man" and is one of the stars of the new HBO sitcom "Lucky Louis," premiering in June.
Oh, yeah. He's also the third mike on "The Opie and Anthony Show" on XM Satellite Radio, where his brutally honest, and sometimes vicious, humor has earned him a large, faithful following.
In his act and on the radio, Norton discusses taboo subjects that most comedians would never touch: race, disability, disease, child murder, transvestite prostitutes and sex acts not suitable for publication anywhere. That "cringe humor" style is what makes Norton Norton.
"For some reason, the barbaric side of humor has always attracted me," Norton says. "That's always what made me laugh and that's what I bring to the table."
What he also brings to the table, besides an uncanny ability to make you feel dirty, is an over-the-top silliness.
"If you are a funny person, you're balanced naturally with your humor," Norton says. "You can't be hard-core every minute and you can't be cutesy every minute because then it stinks."
How so, Mr. Norton?
"Sometimes the cutesy is funny because when you compare it to the **** jokes, 'I wanna pinch your cheek, li'l fella' is ridiculous compared to the brutality," he says.
Norton explains that his style of comedy comes from "self-hatred, insecurity and a complete lack of confidence." In his act, there is plenty of self-deprecation to back that up.
It also might explain his intense work schedule, one unrivaled by any comedian in the business. He works every morning from 7-11 a.m. on "Opie and Anthony," does almost nightly guest spots at small NYC comedy clubs honing his act and, on weekends, travels across the country playing bigger venues.
"If you do what you do, and you do it well, you will find where you're supposed to be," Norton says. "It will happen for you; just don't rush it."
Norton knows where he's supposed to be, and he's certainly doing it.
"I just want to be a well-balanced, active working act," he says.
As for that "Monster Rain"? Much like Norton's humor, you'll have to hear it to believe it.
If you Go! ...
What: Jim Norton
Where: Bananas Comedy Club, 2170 Route 9, Poughkeepsie
When: 8 and 10:45 p.m. April 7-8
Tickets: $20
Call: 462-3333
Visit:
www.ticketweb.com,
www.bananascomedyclub.-com,
www.eatabullet.com
Lil Jimmy Article in Local Paper
), I missed most of the show today... 
(sorry, had to be an attention whore)
