Comic Hannibal Buress is on the rise.
You know this, man, especially if you checked out an article I wrote about him and other local comics that ran in today's RedEye.
But what you don't know about Hannibal could fill the Grand Canyon.
(Sorry, I didn't mean that. Just been looking for a way to fit that line in after swiping it from a fave "Reno 911" episode.")
On a serious note, pop the trunk and learn a little more about this stand-up comic-turned-"SNL" writer who hails from the West Side and lived it up in Logan Square before jetting off to New York to seek his fortune.
I chatted with Hannibal-- named after the Carthaginian general, not the fictional serial killer-- roughly a month into his new desk job and offer the following tidbits from our talk...
Credit: Mindy Tucker
Q: How long have you been a stand-up comic?
A: "I started performing while I was in college...around 2002. So, a little over seven years."
Q: It's clear you have mass appeal now, but what has your worst gig been so far?
A: "When I was in college, it was my first year doing stand-up and there was a talent show that was off campus. A friend told me to enter. There was like a $50 prize. I was like, 'Oh yeah, I'm in.' It was an Apollo style show. No microphone. Just a big room. There wasn't even a stage, it was a floor. People were booing me. My friend starts creeping to the stage, hamming it up. Dude picks me up, throws me over his shoulder and carries me away from the stage."
Q: This was a real friend of yours?
A: "Real friend? I guess so. The sad thing was I thought this was a good show to tape. I'm yelling into my own camera 'stop the tape.'"
Q: Ooooh, where's that tape? Is the video on YouTube?
A: "No, it's in my momma's attic. It's on 8MM and nobody will ever see it."
Q: How did you land your "SNL" gig?
A: "I was on 'Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,' and that came about because I had given one of the writers a tape. A day before the taping, the person who was supposed to be on got sick and called and the show called and asked if I could do it show tomorrow. I did the show and the announcer for Jimmy Fallon is one of the producers for "SNL."
Q: Wow! Did you expect something like that to happen?
A: "No. I definitely didn't expect it to lead to a gig. People usually don't get those things from a late-night spot. You may get some new Facebook friends or Twitter followers, but to get an actual gig? .... They called me in for a meeting. I thought it was a general meeting, but no, they were offering me a job."
Q: Which do you prefer: stand-up or staff writing?
A: "I can't really compare them equally. I'v eonly been writing for about a month, but I did stand-up for seven years. I enjoy writing, and it's different to learn how to write for other people. I really like it, but I still want to do stand-up and make my own projects."
Q: How many hours do you work now per week?
A: 60 hours. But it varies. It just depends on how you get your work done, and if you're a procrastinator. [One] week, I worked through the night for 30 hours straight. I work slow.
Q: Name a sketch you pitched and tell me if it made it:
A: "It was about (laughs) Megan Fox as a scatting horror villain. It was pretty weird. And no, it didn't get on."
Q: Ummmm, a what?
A: "Scatting. yeah, it was kind of a stretch. I didn't have high hopes on it."
Q: Will we still see you on stage in the future?
I got shows coming up. I can't do as much as I did before, but I want to keep doing stand-up when I can.
----------
Want to learn even more about Hannibal or see some footage of his funny business? Check him out at hannibalburess.com.
5 Comments
Frank Chow said:
Thanks for doing this interview, Hannibal is by far the most respected and admired comic from Chicago in years. Rock on!
Kyra Kyles said:
I'm glad you enjoyed it, Frank. Thank you for the comment!
Josh said:
Nice article today, KK. I started reading it without looking at the byline, and thought "This sounds like Kyra" then looked up and sure enough, 'twas you!
I haven't really watched SNL in years. Might be worth adding it to my DVR again...if the sketches suck there's always the fast forward button.
Kyra Kyles said:
Thank you so much, Josh! 'Twas me, indeed. I haven't watched "SNL" either, but will try and check out some of Hannibal's work. Also, our lovely Show Patrol king breaks "SNL" down nicely each week and even adds video clips so you can see what, if anything, you missed.
Josh said:
Well I forgot to set my DVR this time, but Curt Wagner said this Saturday's episode stunk, so I guess I didn't miss anything.
Leave a Comment?
What your comment will look like:
said: