Artie Fletcher, Saturday, Feb. 6, 8 p.m., The Woodlands Inn and Resort (1073 Route 315) Tickets: $10. Info: nycbadboy.com, thewoodlandsresort.com, 570.824.9831
Once Artie Fletcher takes his comedy act to New Mexico in June he will become the first comedian to have performed in every U.S. state. Fletcher has also performed in 12 countries including Canada, England, Hong Kong and eight islands including Aruba.
New York City’s Bad Boy, as he calls himself, currently resides in Florida but he used to live in Wilkes-Barre. He is returning to the area to perform one night only at the Woodlands. So, can you expect him to crack jokes about the area during his act?
“I always do,” he said, although he explained he doesn’t during Las Vegas shows where the people have never heard of Wilkes-Barre. Fletcher is expecting to see his local fans at the show. “When I’m there they come out of the woodwork,” he said.
Fletcher has been a comedian ever since Joan Rivers told him he was funny and encouraged him to pursue comedy. In 1986, Rivers helped get him some auditions in New York. Now he has 24 years of experience and can do a good voice impersonation of Rivers.
Fletcher isn’t only a comedian, he’s also a trained actor. He attended the New York School of Arts and was trained by David Shuman, who Fletcher said has coached actors like Richard Gere.
Currently, Fletcher is working on shooting a pilot for the USA network, a sitcom called “Look at Me Now.” Fletcher has hopes for his show, but it’s not his first time working on a pilot, and “they don’t always get picked up,” he said.
Fletcher said his acting skills have helped him land parts in multiple TV dramas.
“I worked with legends, it was an amazing experience,” Fletcher said.
He played a Russian mobster on “Third Watch.”
“I got to work with Roy Scheider from ‘Jaws,’” Fletcher said. “He’s a genius.”
Fletcher appeared in the courtroom drama “100 Centre Street” created by Sidney Lumet, “another genius,” he said. He was also on “NYPD Blue,” “Law & Order: SVU” and “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” which Fletcher said was intense.
Not all his television appearances were on dramas, though. Fletcher has also been on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” “Emeril Live,” and even appeared as a construction worker in an AC/DC music video. Fletcher’s favorite TV appearance was when he was on “The Late Show with David Letterman,” “because I was on with Jessica Alba,” he said.
Fletcher has had lead and supporting roles in 11 films and has done radio and television commercials for Eclipse gum, Red Lobster and Dell computers as well as a secondhand smoke PSA.
As if touring around the world and acting doesn’t keep Fletcher busy enough, he is writing a book to be entitled “Comedy On Tour: As Seen by a Comics Bloodshot Eyes.” Every Wednesday night Fletcher has his own talk radio show on ABC radio in Florida called “Get Serious with Artie Fletcher.” It’s a news talk show, but with Fletcher discussing news and current events you can expect it to be funny.
In 2005, Fletcher released a DVD, “Still Alive and Well, Live from Coconuts,” and he has a new CD out called “Still Not Funny After All These Years.”
w
