Comedian Brian Regan: 'Philadelphia has a shorter fuse'

Brian Regan is a road warrior, a stand-up comedian who has built a dedicated fan base by touring rather than starring in a sitcom or movie.

He likes performing live so much, his latest stand-up special, Brian Regan: Live From Radio City Music Hall, was shown in real time on Comedy Central last year.

Listen to his stand-up, and his appeal is readily apparent. He's funny, self-deprecating, and enormously clever, taking observational humor in different directions.

We talked with Regan in advance of his Saturday show at the Merriam Theater.

As a guy who has been on the road for a good deal of his career, how would you compare Philadelphia audiences with other parts of the country?

I like performing anywhere and everywhere. There's something interesting in performing in a city like Philadelphia. People have different fuse lengths. Philadelphia might have a shorter fuse; they might give you a little less time to prove your worth. But if you prove it, they're fantastic. I would hate to flounder for 10 minutes before I started kicking into high gear, because there won't be a high gear after that. [Philadelphians] don't like BS, and I don't come off as anything but myself. I'm not some balloon they want to pop. I go on stage deflated.

What is it about performing live?

The honesty. People don't fake-laugh. It's one of the true things that I can hang my hat on and trust, when you get a room full of people laughing or an individual laughing. It's real. There are a lot of other things in life that people can fake, but it's hard to fake a laugh. It's electricity. You need a sender and a receiver. You can't go out into the middle of the woods and tell jokes. You could, but it's not as fun as having someone listen to them.

That sounds like the start of an 'If you tell a joke in the forest, is it funny?' line.

I think about that a lot. I've always grappled with 'What is funny? When isn't it?' Even people in the industry suggest that if people don't laugh it's not funny. I don't agree. If one person thinks something's funny, it is. It might not be funny to a second person, but you can't take away the fact that it made someone laugh.

Even if I'm taking a walk alone, and I think of a joke, it's funny. A second person may not know about it, but it's still funny. Comedy is a strong organism.

I found out about you through other comedians who sang your praises as the "comedians' comedian."

I'm uncomfortable with that term. I've never been good with patting myself on the back. I know there are comedians out there who like what I do. But I'm resistant to anything that sounds self-serving. I drive my publicist crazy because if there's something complimentary, I say: 'Take that out of the press kit.'

But they like you for a reason. Why is that?

Molly, it's because I'm tremendous. If there's a supernova in the sky, people are going to see it. How can you not? [Laughs] I don't know. I'm not trying to be evasive. I've always put a lot of love into the craft of stand-up comedy. I enjoy making bits stronger and stronger. I enjoy the process and the end result. Maybe other comedians notice that and say, 'Here's a guy who likes what he does.'

That will sell tickets: Brian Regan is OK!

Well, now that you've made your pitch - that you're just OK - what should people expect?

I was doing a live radio in-studio one time, and someone asked why they should come see my show. I said, 'I think I'm adequate.' If me thinking that I'm being OK and me being adequate won't move tickets, I don't know what will. I don't take myself too seriously. I like to think people like to come and ride the ride. I'm here to have an hour with you and laugh, and I won't hurt anyone.

Brian Regan
7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday at the Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.
Tickets: $47.50-62.50.
Information: 215-893-1999 or kimmelcenter.org

meichel@phillynews.com
215-854-5909