My interview with the great Jimmy Pardo is up on SF Standup. We discuss his podcast, whether he could take Matt Kirshen in a wrestling match, and how Jimmy Fallon is like Isiah Thomas. Here’s an excerpt
SF Standup: You’re known for your riffing, obviously, and people say that no Jimmy Pardo show is alike. How did you pick up the confidence to rely on in-the-moment- stuff, rather than being tied to your prepared material?
JP: The truth is, when I was an open miker, I took a lot of chances, both with material and with riffing with the crowd. And then, when I started getting booked, I began to rely on my material, which wasn’t horrible by any means, but it was probably crappy. I got tired of people saying I was funnier offstage. It was New Year’s Eve of 1992-93 when I decided, I’ve got to trust these instincts. The truth is, it’s only in the last three years that I am now unafraid to ignore the act completely, and just go with the crowd.
SF Standup: It seems like you’ll even do that on television.
JP: And that took me years. Again, the jokes are OK, but my personality is really what’s there. When I’m on Ferguson, who I know is going to let me be loosey-goosey, I’ve got to show that side of me. Otherwise, I’m going to look like just another white guy standing there with a microphone telling jokes.
