Jamie Lissow has been seen on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Late Late Show, Comedy Central’s Premium Blend, Last Comic Standing, has a Comedy Central Presents and is a proud Star Search Loser. He has been seen over 50 times on Fox News Redeye while managing to have no political views. He is currently writing and will be starring in a new television series with Rob Schneider. He lives in Austin, TX with his wife and 2 beautiful children (unfortunately he has three children).
Recovery Comedy: What were you like as a kid?
Jamie Lissow: I was very small. Much smaller than I am now. I used to get bullied and would make people laugh to get them to stop punching me in the face.
Recovery Comedy: What made you decide to become a stand-up comedian and how long have you been performing?
Jamie Lissow: I have been doing stand up for 15 years. I’ve always been a fan of it and when I found out you could do it as a career it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.
Recovery Comedy: Were you performing stand-up comedy before you got into recovery?
Jamie Lissow: Oh yes, for many years. I’m not sure if I was any good, a lot of it is blurry. I’m better and sharper now and talk about more important things.
Recovery Comedy: Does your comedy have a message and if so what is it?
Jamie Lissow: My message is that a lot of times quitting is good. When you’re a kid people say “never quit!” I disagree. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with not finishing things. I was at the movie Kung Fu Panda 2 with my 5 year old and in the middle of it he turned to me and said, “I want to go home.” I looked back and said, “me too” and we got out of there. The movie wasn’t very good and just because we paid our money doesn’t mean we should suffer through it if we aren’t having fun. We quit watching it. When it comes to a drug, a bad habit or the wrong job, the decision is even easier, although maybe more difficult to actually DO. But a lot of times everything improves when you quit. EVERYTHING. Addicts are lucky in the sense that they know of something they can remove from their lives and everything instantly improves.
Recovery Comedy: Who are your comedy idols?
Jamie Lissow: Chris Rock, Bill Hicks…
Recovery Comedy: Where does your inspiration for material come from?
Jamie Lissow: Life. The worst if it and the best of it.
Recovery Comedy: What is your joke writing process?
Jamie Lissow: When I drive I talk into my iPhone and write it all down when I get to my hotel. Also a lot of times I come up with new jokes on stage during the show. I like to think I’m really in the moment and not just reciting my act.
Recovery Comedy: What is your Kryptonite?
Jamie Lissow: Kryptonite is actually my Kryptonite. I was born on the planet Krypton. Sorry, I felt like I was being too serious in this interview and I’m supposed to be a comedian. The answer is Booze. And any television show with the words “The Real Housewives of” in the title. Too much of either makes me dangerously depressed.
Recovery Comedy: Is your family supportive of your comedy career?
Jamie Lissow: Completely. Although my 2 year old daughter doesn’t seem to grasp it completely. I try to put it into terms she’ll understand. I tell her I’m leaving town so we can buy more Barbies.
Recovery Comedy: Is comedy part of your healing process?
Jamie Lissow: Absolutely and I hope it can be part of someone else’s.
Recovery Comedy: What was your worst experience performing?
Jamie Lissow: Once I was performing at a college in Georgia. It was a very warm night and when I got to the school they told me they had some bad news. The air conditioner in the building was broken. A lot of students left, but about 30 stayed. It was getting really hot so they opened all the windows to let in some air. So it’s nighttime, all the windows are open, it’s a small crowd, I’m up on stage and every time I tell a joke and it doesn’t get a huge laugh… I actually hear CRICKETS.
Recovery Comedy: What was your best experience performing comedy?
Jamie Lissow: Doing The Tonight Show. It was a dream come true and went perfectly.
Recovery Comedy: What is your favorite joke?
Jamie Lissow: I honestly can’t think of one. But, Last night at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood Dane Cook did a joke that had me on the floor. I’m paraphrasing but he said he went to see a psychologist that specializes in only seeing comedians. He sat down and the psychologist said, “Dane Cook… You’re name comes up in here a lot.”
Recovery Comedy: What is your comedy dream?
Jamie Lissow: To do only comedy with a purpose. Perform for smart people that love to laugh and maybe need to laugh because of what they are battling. I only want to do gigs for people that really want to see me.
To find out more information about Jamie Lissow or to book him for your next Recovery Event just click here!
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