Q & A
Jim Florentine
Helium Comedy Club
Buffalo, NY
Wednesday April 16, 2014
Wednesday night comedian Jim Florentine took to the stage at Helium Comedy Club in Downtown Buffalo. One of the co-hosts of That Metal Show is also known for his work on the Comedy Central show Crank Yankers, Florentine’s one hour set had the packed house laughing along start to finish.
Florentine was easily able to keep the crowd engaged into his act which incorporated a wide variety of topics including sports, marriage and of course music. Afterwards Florentine signed and took photos at the merchandise table.
If you seen him on That Metal Show, to fully appreciate his talent you have to see his stand up routine in person.
Opening the show were Cleveland comedian Chad Zumock and WEDG DJ/comedian Josh Potter.
We also had the chance to catch up with Jim and ask him a few quick questions.
Rock Show Critique: Can you give us an update on some of the projects you are currently working on?
Jim Florentine: I do my weekly podcast comedy Metal Midgets it’s up on itunes and it comes out once a week on Mondays. That’s the only thing I got going on right now besides doing a tour and stand up comedy. I will also be on the upcoming season of Amy Schumer’s Show, the sketch show on Comedy Central and also have a role this season on an episode of Californication.
RSC: About approximately how many standup shows do you do a year?
JF: About 150-175
RSC: How would you describe your comedy routine to someone who has never seen it or may be unfamiliar with you?
JF: I don’t know (pauses), I don’t know how to describe it. I just go up there and tell jokes. I never know how to answer that question.
RSC: Do you spend a lot of time on the road?
JF: I live right outside NYC so I do a lot there too so it all depends.
RSC: What do you do during downtime from the road? (non work related)
JF: Go to concerts, see some metal bands.
RSC: How did it come about you Eddie (Trunk) and Don (Jamieson) all were selected to be on That Metal Show?
JF: Eddie was working on VH1 before we started working with him. He recommended me and Don to be a part of almost like a tonight show but with rock bands. They eventually said ok and we did an episode and they liked it and that was over five years ago.
RSC: How did you guys all meet?
JF: Me and Don are comics and Eddie is a DJ in New York and we used to listen to his radio show on the way home from comedy gigs. Me and Don would say man this guy plays the same kind of music that we listen to. Then we finally met him at a concert probably ten years ago or so and became friends with him.
RSC: Do you get any input into the show?
JF: Just whatever bands to pick in our segment. But no, the higher ups do that stuff.
RSC: If you were gonna have a Monsters of Rock type tour what five bands would you put on the bill?
JF: I don’t know Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Motorhead, Rage Against The Machine and Slipnot. I like everything from Buckcherry to Canibal Corpse and everything in between. I like Steel Panther and I like Slayer. I’ve never been one to have to stick to one genre.
Special thanks to Meredith Trotter from Pulse PR for all her help
