Getting intimate with Lewis Black

You do a lot of shows. I wanted to know, why do you this type of show, this cross between comedy and politics?

It came about because I wanted to be a playwright, so I didn't really expect to be doing this for a living. I started doing standup as a way to do my writing and get it out there, and then that started to generate an income and I got really tired of trying to fight the American theater. I mean, they're exhausting. Then I found out it was easier to deal with raging alcoholics in clubs.

Do you plan on doing any more playwriting?

Well, I wrote a ton of plays. I've written three or four potential shows for myself along the way, in the last few years. What I think I'll write more of, if I get any goddamn time, is articles and stuff. What I'll probably end up doing... when I finish doing this, I'll write plays again

When did you really start getting into comedy? When did you start getting popular? Did it just come all of a sudden or was it a slow process?

It was a slow process - it started about six years ago, then it kind of exploded about two years ago, where I was performing and people started coming to see the shows and now it's like they pay me to see an audience.

What's your best audience?

Right now, college students. There are certain clubs that I like to play a lot where I can kind of just riff more. I feel that, for the money I get paid in college, that this is ok... except for when that stuff happens like this, when they didn't laugh at that...

Were you really disappointed by the audience's reaction?

I was shocked. I wasn't disappointed, but I was shocked. And it was the pc thing, which really raises its head with me and I was like "Ah, f-ck, here we go again. I'm so tired of this sh-t." So that was fun. But I like colleges. I mean I think they're enjoying it. They get it, they listen, they really pay attention. If I'm not gonna have children of my own, I might as well f-ck you guys up.

Do you feel like you actually get a message across by working with college students?

No, I don't think I get a message across. I mean, I don't really think about it as a message. The only message I really have is that, you know, you can't trust authority. That's the only message, I think

How long do you plan on continuing to do standup comedy?

I hope another probably five to ten years. I mean, what I hope is that this generates into some other... get out of the Daily Show and spin-off into some other show. And hopefully I can act more, which is what I really want to do.

You really want to be an actor?

Well, I want to act more. I still want to do this, even if I'm acting, or writing for ten more years. And it will be until I stop enjoying it. And now I really enjoy it 'cause you get an audience, and you can really go much further than you went before.

What was your best experience working as a comedian?

The best experience was in Las Vegas, of all places, and I was yelling and screaming on stage and this old farmer from Iowa came up to me and said, "You know, I really appreciate your philosophy." And I thought "Wow, philosophy?" And I thought if the farmer from Iowa could get me, I was finally able to talk to people.

And your worst?

The worst experience was a show that I did in Connecticut when I was auditioning for these people and, to cut to the chase, a woman came on the stage while I was talking and pulled her blouse up. She said, "You're not talking about boobs." This was years ago. She said, "You're talking about tits."

She pulled her blouse up and then turned around and showed the audience. I'm in a rock 'n' roll club, so now the audience is seeing her tits. And then there's about five seconds there I could've said anything I wanted, and before I could say something in order to get a laugh, a guy jumped on the table - no exaggeration - and screamed, "Ladies and gentlemen, I am a f-cking faggot but I brought this girl here tonight and I think I deserve a round of applause."

And my mind... I was so blown away... I had no crowd control, my brain exploded. And I said, "I'd like to thank my brother and sister for coming here tonight and helping me with my act." Then I started to walk offstage and a guy in the back said, "No, keep going, you're great!" And that was just insane. That's the most really insane thing that's ever happened.