PERSONALITY PEEKS:
JOE PISCOPO, Comedian
by FRANK O'DONNELL
August 9, 2007
Joe Piscopo is excited to be coming to Rhode Island. “Comedy clubs make things happen,” he said, talking about his appearance at Catch A Rising Star inside Twin River in Lincoln. “It's the reason I want to play Catch up there. It's as live and as raw as it gets. I play Vegas regularly, Atlantic City, I even played Europe. But American comedy clubs are the single greatest tool for a performer.”
It’s often been said that Joe Piscopo lived through one of TV’s roughest moments: trying to replace the original cast of “Saturday Night Live” in 1980. “The toughest gig in the world,” he said, “replacing America’s favorite TV show. And trying to follow Belushi and Ackroyd? Forget about it.”
He and Eddie Murphy are the only cast members to survive what’s frequently considered the darkest season in “SNL” history. It’s the year when Charles Rocket – the late newsman from Channel 12 – uttered a forbidden four-letter word live.
I ask about his favorite SNL memories. “I remember being at Catch A Rising Star in New York City, meeting Danny Ackroyd and John Belushi. Then working with Eddie was like nothing else. There’s nothing like live (performances).”
Some of his characters really hit the mark. For my money, he did the best Frank Sinatra impression ever. When I asked which of the characters he liked doing best, his response was quick. “The Sports Guy, and Frank Sinatra. Although I must admit that I enjoyed playing the two old guys in the bar with Eddie - Solomon and Pudge. That was poignant comedy, and we were patient with it, as opposed to the to-the-wall sketch approach.”
This is not Piscopo’s first trip to Rhode Island, which has special memories for him. “Eddie and I played our first gig at a college up there.” He’s not sure if it was Roger Williams or Bryant. “I remember taking the ride up with Eddie and always so enjoyed hanging with him in those days. Matter of fact, he's the father of my first baby – but that's another story and another interview, I guess.”
Piscopo, a New Jersey native, earned a degree in Broadcast Management, and worked in radio for a while in Jacksonville and Trenton. “Only the big markets for me,” he joked.
His pre-“SNL” resume includes performing in dinner theater shows at Mickey Rooney’s theater in Downington, Pennsylvania. “You haven’t seen ‘South Pacific’ until you’ve seen me in the chorus.”
Since leaving “SNL,” Piscopo’s ventured into movies, and into dramatic roles on TV. He’s the villain in one of my favorite movies, “Johnny Dangerously.” I ask him if it was as fun to make as it was to watch. “Yes,” he said. “Mike Keaton is a naturally funny guy, and he made me blow takes more thank once. Once.”
If you know the movie, you’ll get that last part. If not, might I suggest a visit to your nearest Blockbuster.
He’s also appeared on shows like “Law & Order.” How does that compare to comedy. “It's a great challenge. To be able to work with great American actors like Sam Waterston takes you to another level as a performer. It’s also the most intimidating thing to do - because you have to nail it every time.”
Piscopo is proud of the work he does with a non-profit organization he started in New Jersey, the Positive Impact Foundation. “I was not a great kid,” he says, “but I had my parents there for me in a strong Italian American household.”
He can relate to kids in trouble in his hometown. “I see myself in the eyes if some of these kids. First thing I did (through the Foundation) was set up a gym for kids in my parent's old neighborhood of Newark.”
Jersey Joe’s Gym has won a number of awards for its charitable work. I ask Piscopo why he does it.
“There but for the Grace of God go all of us,” he says. “I just feel it's our responsibility as citizens of this planet to try to help those in need. People have always been there for me, so it's like the right thing to do.”
So what can people expect from his appearance in Lincoln? “Anything can happen. Catch is a legendary franchise and they're known for awesome audiences. So I'll go into the crowd and rip it up. I'm not confined as I would be at a bigger venue. This is intimate and in your face, and I can't wait to get up there.”
[Joe Piscopo appears at Catch A Rising Star Friday and Saturday, August 17 & 18, in two shows nightly at 8 & 10 PM. For tickets and information, check out www.twinriver.com.]
Reprinted with permission from The Valley Breeze
