He may have hit the proverbial comedic gold mine with his role as Frank Rossitano on 30 Rock, but stand-up comedian Judah Friedlander still likes to keep it real, often performing at several clubs a week even when he’s shooting the Emmy-award winning sitcom. Toronto will soon get a chance to catch his act when the “world champion” comes to Second City on May 19. World champion of what exactly? Basically everything. Except long-division.
When did you begin stand-up and why? Who were your influences?
In 1989 I started doing stand-up. The President of North America wrote me a letter asking me to start doing stand-up. My influence was a leopard named Kevin.
How do you balance doing 30 Rock with your stand-up gigs?
I’m the greatest karate master in the world. So I have perfect balance.
What can Toronto expect from your show?
Get in top physical condition before going to see my show. The amount of laughter created during my show is intense on the abs.
Do you like Canadians?
Yes. And Toronto has a lot of hot chicks from all over the world.
Any favourite Toronto spots?
I like that veggie joint Fresh. This time I will also hit up some Chinese and Indian joints.
As the world Champion, what record haven’t you broken yet?
Calculus, algebra and long division.
You have a lot of T-shirts and hats. Who does your laundry?
I do my own laundry. At the laundromat.
Comedy’s a tough business. Why do you think you’ve succeeded? Is it because of the glasses?
I have a huge dick.
What does the world champion do for fun?
I go undercover deep into the forest, infiltrate the illegal Bigfoot and Sasquatch arm-wrestling circuit. And I hustle them out of their goods (they don’t have money) then beat them in arm-wrestling. And when they are getting medical treatment for their broken knuckles and torn ligaments in their wrists, I hook up with their females.
What do you tell the kids who want to be the next world champion?
I don’t tell them anything. But I hang out with their hot moms when the kids are at school. And they tell me very naughty things.
NBA Comics presents 30 Rock’s Judah Friedlander, Second City, May 19