LOL WITH IT: Q&A with comedian Ted Alexandro

Ryan chats with comedian Ted Alexandro, who's performing tonight and tomorrow at Helium Comedy Club.

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LOL WITH IT: Q&A with comedian Ted Alexandro

POSTED: Friday, February 17, 2012, 1:00 PM

Filed Under: Comedy LOL With It

Every Friday, Ryan Carey covers who and what's giving Philly the giggles.

Ted Alexandro has been a professional comedian for twenty years. But similar to comedians I’ve interviewed in the past — like Greg Fitzsimmons or Louis Katz — he has remained a relatively obscure "comic's comic" due to the fact that his standup consists of strong writing and zero schtick. He will be performing two shows tonight and two shows tomorrow at Helium.

City Paper: You’ve done almost all the late-night shows. Which is your favorite?
Ted Alexandro: Letterman is the one I grew up with so he kinda has a special place in my heart. That said, there are a lot of funny guys now and they’re all pretty distinct. Craig Ferguson is doing some unique stuff. Jimmy Fallon kinda hit his stride; he’s doing different stuff with the viral videos.

CP: Have you ever come close to getting a sitcom deal?
TA: I’ve never gotten that far along. I’ve had pitch meetings, and I’ve had things get to the point where it looks like we have a deal, but then it falls through. The positive thing for any comedian is that standup is your bread and butter. Most of my career has been based off my standup work as opposed to going to auditions. Thank God I’m not an actor, I don’t think I could pay the bills.

CP: You initially wanted to be a teacher?
TA: I was a music teacher for five years. That was more out of pragmatism. Getting out of college, I knew I wanted to be in the arts. I was a music major initially — I used to play jazz piano — so I thought I’d be a musician. I had always done acting throughout college: drama club, community acting, etc. I didn’t have a notion for comedy till I joined a sketch group in college, and that’s when the idea came to reality that I could give comedy a try. I don’t know that I thought too far ahead, but I know I loved comedy. It seemed to be a good fit for all the things I liked to do — writing, being on stage and being funny.

CP: Was there a gig where you knew … this is happening?
TA: There were a lot of them over the years. Obviously the TV spots are big affirmations. Conan was my first television booking. It sorta legitimizes you. There are a lot of small ones, too. One time I did a gig on a boat, not even a cruise ship, just a boat that goes around New York Harbor. I was sorta new … [and] the first couple of comedians bombed, it wasn’t looking good for me. But somehow I was able to turn the room around. It was one of those nights where I kinda realized it. There are a lot of those seemingly desperate situations where you manage to salvage things or make it fun. I think that’s where most comedians earn their bones.

CP: Who do you think will be the Republican nominee?
TA: They say what they have to say to get elected, but these are not people who understand the needs and concerns of the electorate. People are living in need of homes and employment. The highest percentage ever of college graduates are having trouble finding jobs. Who do I think will emerge from the Republicans? You hear something different every week. Romney seems to be the one whose name keeps rising to the to top, but who knows?

CP: Drugs/alcohol?
TA: I’ve never been too big on either. I’ve gone through my stages drinking a lot. Drugs never appealed to me. I think when I was younger I was afraid of them. I tried pot a small handful of times, but I didn’t love it. I think I’ve always been kinda focused and disciplined and didn’t really want to get caught up in things that would be a distraction from what I like to do. I’d like to live a healthy life.

CP: Do you have kids?
TA: No, I’m single. Never got married. Never had kids. I’m from a big family, so I see myself having kids some day. I like kids a lot. When the right woman comes along I’ll be open to it.

CP: Are you bringing a feature act with you to Helium?
TA: Yes, Joe Mande. He's a very funny guy. Over the years we’ve crossed paths a lot in New York. He’s a very funny dude.

Fri.-Sat., Feb. 17-18, 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., $21-$33, Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St., 215-496-9001, heliumcomedyclub.com.

Have a comedy event you'd like featured in an upcoming LOL With It? Email the author at ryan.carey@citypaper.net or tweet him @slackerDIYtoday.

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Featuring everything from event roundups to concert reviews and sex talk, City Paper's Critical Mass is a space for off-the-wall coverage of Philly's A&E scene.

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