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Richard Lewis

This comedian isn’t short on subject matter

A A A Comments By Dusti Rhodes Thursday, Jun 12 2008

Reporters who interview comedian/actor/author Richard Lewis don’t have to worry about questions — they won’t get to ask any. His recent appearances on shows like The Late Show with David Letterman and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson prepared us for his onslaught of random information. From the moment we answered his call, Lewis launched into a nonstop litany of his thoughts on, well, everything. Without cue, he discussed his comedy: “My goal is to talk about things that are fearless and hard for me to discuss about myself and about the world at large.”

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He discussed alcoholism and Larry David: “When I go on Curb…I love walking in and blurting out, ‘I’m an alcoholic’ because it aggravates Larry — everything aggravates Larry.” He went on, “I say it and I say it onstage and I say it in writing because but I’ve gotten so much help, and I should really be dead, to be frank.” Then he jumped to adoption: “If it’s not my sperm, I’m frightened the kid at ten or 11 could start goose-stepping in his bedroom and have posters of Hitler in his room.” Then his doubts about interviews: “Yeah, you know you’re only going to put in one quote and it will probably say, ‘Hi, I gained three pounds.’”

And finally, we got to ask him about his act: “This is basically my act — I have no act.” Lewis tends to perform in an erratic, stream-of-consciousness style. He doesn’t memorize a set, and every performance has 30 to 40 percent new material.

Listen to him discuss these and other topics — believe us, there’s plenty more where these came from — at 8 p.m. today, 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. The Improv, 7620 Katy Freeway. For tickets and information, call 713-333-8800 or visit www.improvhouston.com. $18 to $20.
Thu., June 12, 8:30 p.m.; Fri., June 13, 8 & 10:30 p.m.; Sat., June 14, 8 & 10:30 p.m.; Sun., June 15, 7:30 p.m., 2008

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