Joey Vega tours the United States regularly with Chris Rock and is a member of the Latin Legends of Comedy. He's played packed houses at Trump Castle in Atlantic City, N.J., and Madison Square Garden. The comic has appeared on Howard Stern and Comedy Central's Shorties Watching Shorties. As an actor, he has appeared in numerous movies, including Scarface
Punchline and Carlito's Way.
His performance is a mixture of street-smart ethnic wisecracks, risqu+ we got so drunk stories. It has to be something that mature adults can relate to, something college kids can relate to, something that the regular, Average Joe could relate to.
The Post: Can you get a major in comedy?
Vega: Unfortunately not.
The Post: Then how does one rise in the comedy circuit?
Vega: It's got to be something you have to want to do. When I first started a long time ago -20 years ago -it had to be something you wanted to do. Nowadays, it's a way for actors to get their foot in the door. A lot of actors who aren't really comedians do stand-up so they can be seen by agents and they think, 'If I'm seen by the right people, I could get something bigger.' Unfortunately, a lot of them aren't that great. Now, you've just got to be a really good comedian to stand out.
The Post: The Athens Fairgrounds hasn't allowed alcohol on its premises since prohibition. There will be beer at The Big One. Do you prefer a sober audience or one that's loaded?
Vega: Sober to in-between, not loaded. If they're loaded, they might be talking or not paying attention -they don't even know that they might be ruining the show. Sometimes if they're loaded, they're not listening. A healthy buzz is great.
The Post: You starred in Row Your Boat with Bon Jovi. Is he in the same vein with your musical tastes?
Vega: It's eclectic for me. I like all music. I like everything. I like old-fogie music. I like salsa. I like some hip-hop. Even some rap. It all depends on the beat.
The Post: Anyone in particular you are looking forward to hear playing at The Big One?
Vega: When I go to different towns, I like to listen to the local bands because a lot of times their work is original work I'll probably never get the chance to hear again, unfortunately. A lot of it is great.
The Post: Is there anything that's too taboo to talk about on stage? Is there any subject you don't like to touch?
Vega: Yeah. Child pornography, rape, child molestation -there is nothing funny about it. Comedy, a lot of times, is an exaggeration of the truth --it's just taking bad situations and turning them around. Child molestation, rape, tragedy --you can't make fun of New Orleans. What jokes could come out of New Orleans? Stuff like that I really don't touch upon at all.
The Post: Do you have any advice for students taking public speaking?
Vega: Like everyone knows, public speaking is one of the worst fears in the world --above death. But public speaking can be so much fun because you don't have to be funny. When you're a comedian, and you go out there, everyone says, OK let's see how funny this guy is. Make me laugh. ... My advice for public speaking is not that you have to study. Just be relaxed and talk to people, whether it's a large or small audience, just like you're talking to family members. Talk to 1,000 people like you would talk to one person.
The Post: How do you relax?
Vega: It comes naturally for me. I'm just a relaxed person, but I like to watch a lot of TV, go to the movies.
The Post: What about getting a good healthy buzz?
Vega: Once and a while. In moderation. Only once a day...
The Post: Can we facebook you?
Vega: Facebook? I haven't heard of it...
-Paul Kita
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