joeyeliasinterviewmay2001

CN : How long have you been doing stand-up?

JE : 10 Years. (Fuck... time flies)

CN : Why did you choose stand-up?

JE : I always loved watching comedy, ever since I was a kid. (I'd say little kid, but we all know I was never little!)

CN : How did you get your start?

JE : Open mike night at the Comedy Nest.

CN : Do you still remember your first time on stage? If so, can you recall it for us?

JE : I had to do it because I had lost a bet to a friend.

CN : After all this time, do you still get nervous before a gig?

JE : Always!!

CN : What goes through your mind when you find an audience is not responding the way you
        hoped they would?

JE : I try to figure out... very quickly... what would work ; and then begins the process of digging yourself out of a hole.

CN : Who if any are your early comedy influences?

JE : George Carlin & Richard Pryor.

CN : Some people in the industry would claim you are one of the best comedians this city has
        to offer. If you had to choose, who would you say is Montreal's best comedian, and
        why?

JE : I think David Acer and D.J. McCarthey. Both are so versatile and have so much experience! But Heidi Foss, David Pryde, Barry Julien, Scotty Faulconbridge are also so incredibly talented. Not to mention all the up and comers... Patterson, Lengwenis (sic), Gutterman, Shuchat... Fine, I'm the best!!!

CN : Who, in your opinion, is the best comedian of all time?

JE : There is no one best. Lenny Bruce, pioneer. Pryor, pioneer. Carlin, my inspiration. All the comics before me have paved the way so that I can work.

CN : How different do you find Montreal is from the rest of Canada where performing is
       concerned?

JE : Best crowds are right here in Montreal.

CN : What is your fondest memory on stage?

JE : My first Montreal show & while in Rwanda entertaining the Canadian Military.

CN : Among those involved in the industry there is always a lot of talk about "Hack" and
        "Stolen" material. What are your feelings on the two?

JE : I tolerate hacks.... Thieves, no place for that shit.

CN : Where do you see yourself (career wise) in 5 years?

JE : 5 years... Filling out another one of these surveys. (On Line interviews)

CN : Do you see any relative newcomers to the Montreal scene that remind you of yourself, if
       so, who and why?

JE : I think everyone on the Montreal scene is very unique to themselves, so my answer is no one reminds me of myself (other than Patterson who keeps auditioning for the same fat fuck roles I'm going for)