October 9, 2009

  • KAZ INTERVIEW: John Oliver

    OLIVER. JOHN OLIVER.

    By Ed Kaz!
    Comedy Correspondent

    British comic John Oliver has made his mark on American television as the loutishly opinionated correspondent on The Daily Show, regularly cracking up host Jon Stewart. His sudden fame and distinguished accent has not helped him gain an entrée with the American ladies, however. According to Oliver, the accent works "...only if you are in a scuffed up tuxedo and driving away from an exploding building. In other words, only if you're James Bond." Oliver, who also appears on NBC's new series "Community," is onstage and talkin' British tonight and Saturday New Brunswick's Stress Factory comedy club.

    KAZ!: John! Seems as though a year ago you were a complete unknown. Now you're the King of Ubiquity! TV, film, clubs, Internet. To what do you attribute this sudden surge of incredible overexposure?

    OLIVER: Vitamin B. Lots and lots of Vitamin B. Doctors might tell you not to take way more than is medically advisable. But they just don't want you to be on TV. I'm telling you, Vitamin B.

    KAZ!: How does the real John Oliver differ from the character you've crafted on NBC's "Community?"

    OLIVER: Mainly just the name. I've kept everything else--voice, mannerisms, glasses, etc.--out of a sense of laziness rather than artistic choice.

    KAZ!: You've been described as edgy, irritating, and snarky. Do you have any other adjectives you'd like to add?

    OLIVER: Who described me as any of those things? I want detailed references and sources before I engage in the premise of this question. I will hold you to high journalistic standards, in which case you can add the adjective "pedantic."

    KAZ!: Your first film role is that of "Dick Pants" in the movie "The Love Guru." That whole thing wasn't your fault, was it?

    OLIVER: Well, that was both my first and my last film role. So I think that should at least partially answer your question.

    KAZ!: Is all the stuff on Wikipedia about you true?

    OLIVER: Of course not. Nor should it be. That would ruin the fun of Wikipedia. It's a way of rewriting history in the most childish possible way. If we can't provide future generations with a future, let's at least give them a more pleasant past.

    KAZ!: How did growing up in Liverpool affect your comedic sensibilities?



    OLIVER: Wikipedia strikes again. I did not grow up in Liverpool , but you're right; if I had, it would definitely have affected my comic sensibilities.

    KAZ!: On the Daily Show, do you feel that being British allows you to get away with more when you're skewering some of these American knuckleheads?

    OLIVER: Yes. At the very least they can rarely understand what I'm saying.

    KAZ!: What do you love the most about the United States?

    OLIVER: Wow. The last time I was asked that, it was by a very angry immigration officer. I'll answer your question the way I answered his: Oh look over there! (runs away).

    KAZ!: How excited are you to be appearing in New Brunswick, New Jersey?

    OLIVER: Extremely excited. When I was a child, I used to point to New Brunswick on the globe and tell my Dad that one day I would play a gig there. The key to happiness is to set achievable goals.

    --------------------------
    Have a great weekend and please remember to laugh responsibly.

    AsburyKaz@aol.com

    JOHN OLIVER
    Tonight & Saturday
    Stress Factory Comedy Club
    90 Church St. New Brunswick
    Showtimes 8 & 10:30
    Tickets: $26
    Reservations:
    (732)-545-4242
    www.stressfactory.com

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