You are performing at the Laugh Factory every Wednesday until your death. Do you think you’ll still be funny when you’re 85?
If I’m still alive!
What advice do you have for aspiring comics?
To be a comedian, you really have to want to make people laugh. That has to be the essence of your personality. And of course, you have to have a sense of humor. You have to want to be a comic very badly, because it takes at least 10 years, usually, to find your own “comic voice.” You have to find the way you are uniquely funny. As Robin Williams told me when I met him at my college, “At first you imitate others, but eventually you find your own style.” If you want details on how to start being a stand up, go to my MySpace site [www.myspace.com/jonlovitz] and look at my blog on career advice.
Is Jamie Masada as cheap as everyone says?
I joke about him being cheap in my act, but the truth is Jamie Masada is an extremely generous man. Every year, for over 25 years now, he feeds the homeless on Thanksgiving and Christmas, for free. You just have to show up at the Laugh Factory. Every summer, he has a comedy camp, for free, for kids living in the inner city. He constantly is helping people in financial need. He has been extremely generous to many, many people, including myself. He has given me a place where I was able to become a standup comedian and a place to practice my act for the rest of my life. For that, I am forever grateful. I just said he should spend more money on the food in the club, which, thank god, he has done. We now have California Pizza Kitchen on the menu!
If you had a sandwich named after you, what would it be?
Lovitz on rye.
Last book read?
Don Rickles, Rickles’ Book.
Last funny movie you saw?
I thought Blades of Glory was hilarious.
What do you like most about yourself?
My sense of humor.
How do you feel when people see you and say, “That’s the ticket”?
It’s very flattering. I can’t believe they’re still saying it. My liar character was 22 years ago.
If you could never leave one particular block of L.A., where would it be?
Wherever there’s an In-N-Out Burger and a doughnut shop.
If you starred in your own sitcom, what would it be about?
It would be about me constantly fighting off beautiful women (there would be thousands), trying to get me into bed, whenever I was eating dessert. “Not now,” I’d say, “I’m eating pie!” But at the end of every show, I would give in to their insatiable desires of lust .?.?. to keep them happy .?.?. which is my job, since I’m a comedian!
Jon Lovitz at the Laugh Factory, 8001 Sunset Blvd., W. Hlywd.; every Wed., 8 p.m.; $20. (323) 656-1336.
—Libby Molyneaux
