Andy Kline Interview Continued...(Part 3)

You mentioned that you would like to be a staff writer for a show, if you had to pick a program that was on right now, what would it be and why?

Well, South Park, but they don't use writers. I think The Boondocks would be a great show to write for. It seems like you can get away with anything on that show, and crossing the line is encouraged. That gives you a lot of freedom as a writer. But beggars can't be choosers. I'd write for Blue Collar Comedy at this point.

What comedy set on audio tape or DVD can you sit down and watch over and over again? Any tape while growing up or any other time in your life that you just "wore out"? What about it resonated with you?

Chris Rock: Bring the Pain That was an instant classic. When it first aired, I taped it and practically watched it daily. I still watch it every now and then.

George Carlin: Jammin' in New York. It changed the way I think about comedy. Just a great mix of Carlin's observational stuff and his angry stuff. This was before I discovered Bill Hicks, who I also listen to constantly. I've always been drawn to guys who were both angry and smart.

I also watch Mr. Show regularly. It's the best sketch show of all time.

The one that really stood out when I was a kid was Eddie Murphy: Comedian (and later Raw). I don't think I related to it in any meaningful way. I just couldn't believe how talented he was.

Any jokes or moments you remember on stage in particular where you think back and say to yourself, "What was I thinking?"

Well, the stuff I was doing back in '94 is pretty embarrassing in retrospect. I mean, I felt way more mature than other people my age, yet there I was doing jokes about shitting. But being a comedian, I specialize in delusion. So I just rationalize that as a necessary part of my development. Other than that, nothing else stands out. I never went through a prop phase or anything.

If I'm saying "what was i thinking," it's moreso about a situation where I got my hopes up about an audition or contest despite knowing better.

Anything you would like to see more of or less of in the Baltimore/DC/NoVa comedy scene?

More paid gigs would be nice. That's obviously self serving, but I think it would help people's development. A lot of comics in the area lack experience hosting or stringing together tight feature sets. If the area had a couple more quality B rooms that embraced local comics, some of the newer guys could pick up valuable lessons without having to drive to Kentucky for $75. Right now as a new comic, you can do open-mic's and showcases, but there's a long line for the club work.

Beyond that, I wish the industry would pay more attention to DC. There's an occasional industry showcase at the DC Improv, but you can't get every funny person onto one of those shows. Our proximity to NYC winds up obscuring us a little bit. Places like Austin and Seattle are scouted, but DC gets lost in the shuffle sometimes.

I'd like to thank Andy Kline for taking the time to answer the questions I fielded for him. If you have a chance, check out his blog and website on the link to lefthand side of the page to read more of his thoughts and check out dates for upcoming shows.