| Joey Gay |
| THE SEARCH FOR THE FUNNIEST PERSON IN AMERICA |
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| CHRIS PORTER APRIL MACIE JOEY GAY ROZ JOSH BLUE GABRIEL IGLESIAS BIL DWYER MICHELE BALAN STELLA STOLPER TY BARNETT KRISTIN KEY REBECCA CORRY |
| Age: 35
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY Day Job: Comedian "Comedy comes naturally to me," says stand-up comedian and actor Joey Gay, who mines his laughs from his infamous surname, his colorful childhood in Brooklyn and his place in the family as the younger brother of five sisters, which gave him a unique perspective on the differences between men and women. Reminded how short life is by his father's death, Gay decided to pursue his dream of going into show business. He's been entertaining audiences ever since, and is now a regular at New York comedy hotspots like Caroline's on Broadway, Comedy Village, Laugh Factory and Catch a Rising Star. In addition to performing at top clubs across the country, he has also appeared at casinos such as the Borgata and Resorts in Atlantic City and Foxwoods in Connecticut. He wanted to be on "Last Comic Standing" so he could "compete against the best comics in America," and describes his style of comedy as "the same as my style of dance - doing what is least awkward." As an actor, he has appeared on NBC's "Law & Order," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" and "Deadline." On the big screen, Gay appeared in the films "Close Strangers," "Exit 8A," "Times Modem," "The Vibe" and "The Play." He has also appeared on several cable shows, including MTV's "Damage Control." In his spare time, Gay is working on a documentary about New York City's historic comedy clubs. The documentary features interviews with some of the biggest names in comedy, including Woody Allen, Bret Butler and Richard Lewis. Interview Why will YOU be the Last Comic Standing? I think I will be the last comic standing out of sheer bravado. I feel lucky to be this close, should I win it will be due to nine years of hard work. Funny is... The absolute truth or the biggest lie and nothing in between. What comedians do you admire and why? I admire so many comics many of whom America is not familiar with. As far as the famous go, it would be Lenny Bruce, Bill Hicks and Mitch Hedberg. Bruce for his daring and moral compass as well as his willingness to take on the powers that be for the sake of his craft. I aspire to having a tenth of the bravery Mr. Bruce possessed. Bill Hicks just tickled me; his use of intellect and the surreal in equal parts was genius in my opinion. Mitch Hedberg was the greatest comic not enough people know of. In a phrase, he was an absolute virtuoso. Who do you see as your biggest competition? Josh Blue hands down. He's a great comic with an unreasonable amount of likeability. What's the worst job you've ever had (other than stand-up comic)? Owner of a topless bar. Everybody on both sides of the bar was nuts and that is the best I can say about the experience. |