45°
New Jersey's own Kevin Israel will perform at Paisano's in Rutherford on Thursday at 8:15 p.m.
Daily Voice caught up with Israel — who performs monthly at Gotham Comedy Club in NYC — for the scoop on how he got to be so funny.
DV: So, how did you get into comedy?
Israel: My first time was for a talent competition in my fraternity in college. That was in 1998. I said I'd do it because it seemed easy but I was incredibly wrong and it was a disaster. I didn't do it for three years. I told a coworker that story and they thought it was funny so they signed me up for a talent night. In 2006, I did comedy throughout law school to make extra money.
I didn't do much comedy while I was working as a lawyer but one day I woke up and I just hated my life. I quit my job at the law firm and have been doing comedy ever since.
DV: Where do you get your inspiration?
Israel: From my family. My parents are nuts — they’re both characters even though they don’t realize it. A lot of my material is from my own personal life, like relationships and dating. It's kind of autobiographical.
It's a matter of being able to look at what goes on in your life and make light of it.
DV: Who inspires you?
Israel: Bill Cosby, originally. When I was a really little kid remember seeing him on a show called 'Saturday Night Gold.' I remember watching it and was in awe of someone being able to talk and make people laugh. That was when I was 8 and it always stuck with me throughout my life. I've always loved telling jokes. As a kid I'd memorize jokes and tell them at dinner. I always had library of jokes and loved making people laugh. Bill Cosby planted that seed.
DV: What else are you up to?
Israel: I have a web series on YouTube that I co-wrote and co-star in called "B.R.O's Show". It’s about two gym buddies who are kind of the typical Jersey meatheads and the one friend trying to become professional wrestler. He gets another friend to help. It's kind of like Jersey meathead-meets-sitcom thing.
I also have a radio show every Thursday night from 6-8 p.m.
See AttachmentClick here to follow Daily Voice Rutherford and receive free news updates.
