Live Comedy in the Capital: Interview with Andy Pitz

This weekend there'll be a double dose of live comedy in the capital as the regular Chopschticks stand-up comedy show brings American's Andy Pitz and Moody McCarthy to Block 8 on Saturday night while over at Tun hosts a Dutch comedy night. Because we don't speak Dutch, we decided instead that it would be easier to interview New York-based comedian Andy Pitz about his style of comedy and what people going along to the show on Saturday night can expect to see. We began by asking him about how he got in to comedy in the first place.

The Beijinger: Why did you get in to comedy?

Possibly because I visualized it for so long that it eventually happened. When I was about eight years old I started listening to my dad’s comedy albums. Steve Martin, Bill Cosby, Robin Williams and mostly George Carlin. When I learned that they had actual “careers” in comedy, I daydreamed of what it would be like to be them. Since I put so much attention on it for so long, I think it was inevitable that it would show up. I can’t handle any regular type of job either, so that’s a big factor. Also, growing up with a last name like “Pitz,” I had to have a sense of humor or else I was miserable all the time. I like making people laugh. I think it’s good for the overall energy of people.

The Beijinger: Which comedians do you admire?

I have admiration for anyone who weathers the ups and downs that their occupation provides almost daily. There are comics (well-known ones as well as anonymous) who stick around long enough to succeed at doing what they love, whatever their definition of success may be. If that sounds mushy to you I don’t care, that’s who I admire. Lenny Bruce practically gave his life to open the door for everyone else, and that I admire greatly. I look up to the late American comic Mitch Hedberg for being original and brilliant. I also admire Jay Leno for his tireless schedule and Ellen DeGeneres for being so undeniably talented that great things were bound to happen for her. Have I kissed enough a** here yet? Next question please.

The Beijinger: Who is the funniest person you’ve ever shared a bill with?

OK more a**-kissing: A young comic named Tommy Jonhagin who works back in the U.S. and I worked with just randomly one weekend. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard, show after show. He’s just so funny. There have been a few times where just by chance I have gone onstage right before Jerry Seinfeld and once immediately after Chris Rock. It’s one of the occupational hazards of working the New York clubs. When I performed after Mr. Rock, I noticed far fewer camera flashes going off than when he was on. Pointing that out got a good laugh, so I simply did my portion of the show and it was as fine a time as I’ve had onstage in awhile.

The Beijinger: When was the last time you died on stage?

There’s such a morbid fascination people have with comedians bombing! Haha. I don’t know exactly when the last time was that an entire set went down in flames. That’s been quite awhile. I do have short sections that sometimes get absolutely no response, either because the material is not quite ready yet or for some other reason. Everybody has the occasional tough go, it’s just part of doing so many shows every year. I think it’s how you handle it that either makes the crowd uncomfortable or has them barely notice it.

The Beijinger: What’s the best heckle you’ve ever been on the receiving end of?

After my second joke, some guy in the crowd just yelled, “Next!” That was good.

The Beijinger: Is everything you're doing scripted, or do you leave some room for improv?

Always there is room for spontaneity. I guess I head into a show with a skeleton of set ideas that I would like to cover, and in between as well as within those outlines things are bound to either come through me or just happen, and that’s when a show gets really fun. Comics have to stick to a script for the most part if they are appearing on television, but in a club or any live setting, it’s much more of a fun show if unique and random jewels appear out of nowhere now and again.

The Beijinger: Finally, what can those planning to go see you perform in Beijing expect to see/hear?

I’m glad you said “see/hear” because both of those sense perceptions are absolutely necessary. Sorry, I’m just giving you a hard time. People can count on having a really fun experience. We are so excited to perform in Beijing. My good friend and fellow comedian Moody McCarthy is also performing, and Moody has an extremely keen outlook and funny sensibility that is sure to make you laugh. The only thing I enjoy as much as watching/hearing my friend work is performing myself and offering my take on what it’s like to be a Westerner visiting China for the first time, my likes and dislikes that I’m sure you’ll share at least a few of, and my favorite topic: sex. Just kidding, this is a clean-ish show for the most part and we don’t pick on people too much. This show will have tons of funny observations, routines about relationships, technology, and whatever else may come up. Hey, I know you may have never heard of us, but we’re funny. Besides, what else is there to do here?

Links and Sources
Chopschticks: details of Saturday night's show
Andy Pitz's Site
The Beijinger: ChopSchticks (interview with Richard Robinson)
The Youtube: Comedian Andy Pitz