WILKES-BARRE — You could say Brian Regan is a comedian’s comedian, especially when news releases quote Jimmy Fallon saying he is “unbelievably funny,” Jerry Seinfeld describing him as “my favorite, favorite, standup comedian” and Chris Rock admitting, “No comedian in the world says, ‘Yeah, I want to follow Brian Regan.’”
Regan, scheduled to perform at 7 p.m. Sept. 25 at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, recently took time for a Q&A with the Times Leader:
TL: The Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, where you’ll be performing, has a history dating back to 1938 when it opened as a movie theater. Thirty years ago, in 1986, it underwent a refurbishing and became a performing arts center where all kinds of acts have taken place, everyone from Willie Nelson to Diana Ross to David Copperfield to a cow auction. Yes, they brought Holstein cows across the stage in February 1987 and auctioned them off. Now that you know all that, do you think you might work any of it into your routine?
BR: Hmm, I did not know the Kirby Center once held a cow auction. Knowing that, I will be sure to bring cows to auction them off during my show. Anyone can come and buy a cow … but no tipping, please! Actually it’s a big thing for me to perform throughout the country at venues with such rich history as the Kirby Center. I’m looking forward to it.
TL: We’ve read that you grew up in a large family. Were you the one who kept everybody laughing, even as a kid?
BR: Actually, everyone in my family is funny, including my mom and dad. So, not only did I get to make my family members laugh growing up, they made me laugh a lot, too.
TL: Has any particular brother or sister (or other family member) given you a lot of material?
BR: I don’t zone in on any one brother or sister disproportionately for jokes. Maybe I could make up a name to have a cool answer. I’ll do that: I get a lot of humor out of my goofy brother, Zander. He’s a big ol’ goofy goofball!
TL: Why don’t you like cats?
BR: I believe the “not liking cats” thing is from my Wikipedia page. Keep in mind, anybody, anywhere, can write anything, anytime, about anybody on Wikipedia, so that has nothing to do with reality. In fact, the opposite is true. Right now, I have several cats on my lap that are purring contentedly while I pet them lovingly.
TL: You’re well known for using clean language in your routines. Why did you decide to go that route?
BR: I don’t know any bad words. If I learn any, I will be sure to use them! Actually, I like that comedy is done different ways by different people. I just happen to like doing it the way I do it.
