Stand-up comic, host, and writer Grant Cotter has been making waves in the comedy scene for a while and we're not taking any credit here BUT, since we named him one of OC Weekly's “Five Comics to Watch Out For in 2013,” the work has been pouring in for Cotter like a tidal wave. Okay, it's probably because of his mad humorous stage skills but hey, we'll still take a little love! You can kick back and enjoy Grant's set that is beyond clever, sharp, and completely energetic at the Irvine Improv tonight and once you see him and want more (because you are bound to), you can catch him every Thursday night on MTV's new prank show, “Jerks With Cameras.” If you haven't had the chance to watch the show before, number one: what the fuck are you waiting for? And number two: not to worry because we got the scoop just for you straight from Grant himself!
]
OC Weekly (Ali Lerman): So have you always been somewhat of a prankster or is doing this show a stretch for you?
Grant Cotter: Yeah, my whole life! Anything for a laugh. My favorite ongoing prank throughout high school was torturing this one substitute teacher we had named Ms. Pappas. Whenever Ms. Pappas was subbing I'd make posters and stick them all around school saying, “Happy Birthday Ms. Pappas!” I'd go hard on the arts and crafts by making elaborate signs and cards for her. All of the kids around school would see her and yell, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY MS. PAPPAS!” The first time she laughed and thought I was silly and mistaken but the next 43 times, she was livid and had a breakdown. Whoops! Is that a prank?
Awww, poor Ms. Pappas. So what was the audition process like for “Jerks with Cameras?”
The producers of the show had seen some of my stand-up clips on-line and called me in for a meeting. Then they gave me a homework assignment that was, go film yourself pranking people on the street. So I immediately called my friend with a camera and headed to Hollywood Blvd. I posed as a street magician who needed some help with his tricks. I literally just wasted people's time and filmed it. I had one girl standing with me for 36 minutes shuffling cards, saying magic words, and channeling spirits. When I finally admitted that I didn't know magic, she was PISSED OFF! It must have worked because I got on the show!
Oh yeah, people are serious about their magic. Weird people that is. Do you have a favorite prank so far on Jerks?
My favorites so far have been the “straitjacket jerk” and the “puppet jerk.” Something about standing on a street corner acting crazy in a straitjacket is extremely fulfilling. Same with having my hand up an old puppets ass. It's also extremely fulfilling. My favorite prank hasn't even aired yet though, it's on an upcoming episode. It involves me getting a creepy fifteen passenger van, taking out all of the seats, and blacking out all of the windows. Then I fill the the van with some sketchy items like fingernails, a hazmat suit, lube, and a shovel and try to convince strangers to get inside. This prank blew my mind. I can't wait for ya'll to see it!
[
What's the feedback from the show been like so far?
The feedback has been amazing! I never dreamed I would have so many fifteen-year-old girls tweeting at me. Before Jerks I was never anyone's #MCM (Man Crush Monday).
Haha, oh boy. So for the 15 year-old gals and the rest of us, when and where can we watch Jerks with Cameras and what's in store for the rest of the season?
You can watch Jerks With Cameras Thursdays on MTV at 11pm PST. You can also watch full episodes on MTV.com as well as selected clips on YouTube. There are four more episodes this season and they really heat up! Also, I may or may not get lit on fire. You'll just have to watch to find out!
Well I'm a fan so I'm wondering, do you know if it'll be picked up for a second season?
It's still up in the air. Please give us a second season MTV so I can continue to be a professional jerk! My whole life my teachers said I'd never make a living jerking off but thanks to MTV, I totally proved them wrong. If you like Jerks With Cameras, you can tweet about how you want a season two @MTV and @MTVJerks using the hashtag #WeWantJerksWithCamerasSeason2!
Catch Grant Cotter's show “Rated R for Radical” tonight (February 26th) at 8pm along with Justin Hires, Tone Bell, Dustin Ybarra, and Alay Joglekar at the Irvine Improv, 71 Fortune Drive Irvine, CA 92618., (949) 854-5455. For tickets go to www.Improv.com. For more info on Jerks With Cameras check out www.MTV.com, Grant's website www.GrantCotter.com, and follow him on Twitter: @GrantCotter.
See also:
Steve-O Found a Way to Work Manginas Into His Stand-Up Comedy
10 Douchiest Guitarists of All Time
10 Douchiest Drummers of All Time
Follow us on Twitter @OCWeeklyMusic and like us on Facebook at Heard Mentality and follow the author on Twitter @AliNotAlli.
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.