If the comic that hosts this Tuesday night's show at the Improv looks familiar, it's because he's also the doorman rocking the tightest afro ever, comedian Friendly Frank. And if the headliner of this Tuesday night's show, Rob Little, also looks familiar, it's because you have seen him smiling, laughing and rocking his bald head on too many shows to name. In fact, after he appeared on Last Comic Standing, he was tapped to meet a young girl in Cleveland through the Make-A-Wish foundation. Talk about being entertaining and inspiring! Little is all that mixed with a lot of humor. Come out to the Irvine Improv Jan. 11 to see what all the amusement is about.
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OC Weekly (Ali Lerman): So, did you make a New Year's resolution this year?
Rob Little: Yes, I am working on a new TV Treatment that already has some networks interested. My resolution is to finish the sizzle reel for it and to start pitching it to some networks. I am super-excited about it, and I have already shot two episodes. Oh, and I have to keep losing weight and being awesome!
Do you think you will follow through on them this year?
Definitely! It's not hard to stay awesome. The TV treatment is almost done, so I just have to keep working on it. Losing weight is always tricky, though. I love French fries and ice cream!
I heard you say in your act that you would “stab a baby for ice cream.” Do you think you'll have kids some day?
Not if they eat my ice cream! I love kids, and I have a nephew that I have a blast with. I love all my friends' kids–I love to get them super-hyper, and then leave their house and let my friends deal with it. Not sure if I'll ever have any on my own. I will probably have to get a girl first to even think about that, eh?
That's true. Do you like doing standup or sketch comedy better?
Oh, man, it's hard to say. I guess standup. There are no rules to standup, and I don't have to depend on anyone else. Plus, the reaction is immediate. Sketch comedy is sometimes taped, so you don't know if people will like it or not. But the great thing about that is if you practice it enough times, you will be confident and your quality of work will improve.
Who was the first standup comedian you saw live?
I wish I could say it was someone great, but I have no idea who was the first comedian I saw live. I do remember the first comic that got me interested in standup. My family and I were on vacation up north in Michigan at Mackinaw Island. We didn't have HBO at home, so we were watching George Carlin's Seven Dirty Words. We were all laughing so hard. I knew right then that is what I wanted to do the rest of my life: say dirty words.
I guess dreams do come true! What keeps you upbeat on your lowest days?
To be honest, I really don't know . . . Maybe the drugs–but I doubt it. I think I just have a great outlook on life. Comics have told me that I am faking it and that no one could be that happy all the time. But I have a lot to be happy about. I moved out of a one-stoplight town in Michigan, and I followed my dreams of becoming a standup comedian. Now, I live in Los Angeles and support my disabled mother back in Michigan. Seriously, everything else is just icing on the cake.
What was your worst job ever? I'm just trying to get you to be negative here. . . .
Nice try! I have loved all my jobs, from picking peppers in the fields in Michigan to working at McDonalds and being named Mr. McSmile–no joke. I do remember working at a boy's home for juveniles. Most of them lived a very negative life. They have been in trouble with the law countless times, and they were put in our program to try to get better. I tried to show them that life always will have its ups and downs, but if you keep a positive attitude, you will invite positivity into your life. And wouldn't you know it, those kids actually believe that load of crap! [Laughs.]
I was reading your MySpace, and I was wondering . . . what is your beef with Hugh Grant?
First off, you are still on MySpace? I haven't logged on to that site in more than a year. I didn't even know it was still up. Go, MySpace! Did you check out my Friendster account, too? I believe that I still had hair in my profile pic [for that]. As for Hugh Grant, I just think anyone that has to be described with the word “befuddled” is someone I never want to work with. I'm also not a huge fan of Sarah Jessica Parker. When those two made Did You Hear About the Morgans? I was tempted to watch it. I was hoping that what happened to the Morgans was a real-life fiery crash! I don't know what it is about those two, but I am definitely not a fan! But I wish them both success.
Headliner Rob Little and the self-proclaimed “comedy fluffer” Friendly Frank at the Irvine Improv, 71 Fortune Dr., Ste. 841, Irvine; www.improv.com. Jan. 11, 8 p.m. $15 at the door; free tickets available at www.improv.com when you use the coupon code AFRO. 18+.
Ali Lerman knows much about comedy, basketball, and celebrating Wu-Tang Wednesday. She’s been writing for sixteen years and still calls her mom with grammatical questions.
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