After a vulgar, hilarious stand-up performance, a more quiet and reserved Bob Saget autographed posters backstage, posed for pictures, and talked about his comedic inspirations.
Standing a little over six feet tall, dressed in a black blazer, dark jeans, and Chucks, the comedian of 30 years embraces his unique comedy style and Danny Tanner’s alter-ego.
“I was always like this. My stand-up was always weird, always sick humor,” Saget said.
At age four, he thought he was funny, and has been performing since he was nine. He wrote his first stand-up at age 16.
Saget officially began his comedy career as a 17-year-old when he won a radio contest in Philadelphia at WMMR for a song he wrote called “Bondage.” After that, he would travel from Temple University to The Improv in New York City, to register on a sign-up sheet and wait about 10 hours to go on stage and perform. He also worked at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles, where famous comedians such as Eddie Murphy, Whoopi Goldberg and Robin Williams did stand-up.
Saget says he is inspired by most everyone he knows.
His favorite comedians are Rodney Dangerfield, Richard Pryor, Don Rickles, Groucho Marx, Johnny Carson and Charlie Chaplin. Saget also knew Larry Fine of the Three Stooges, whom he visited as a child. His dad’s humor, which he poked fun at during his performance, also had a strong influence on him.
Growing up with Saget on “Full House” and then witnessing his stand-up may shock some. After all, he has made a household name for himself with his two very contrasting personas. Yet this may be the factor that makes him so fascinating and complex.
Saget is most recently known for his performances on HBO’s hit series, “Entourage.” He spoke of Jeremy Piven, and the rest of the cast, as “a lot of fun, really nice people.”
He’s done everything from television shows to Broadway performances, and now has some new projects in the works.
“For a year now I’ve been constantly editing,” Saget said, regarding his upcoming A&E show, “Strange Days.” He could not announce the air date, but it will be soon. The show is a hybrid between a documentary and a comedy series, which will examine the lives of various unconventional communities and subcultures, deriving from his stand-up routines.
“I’m excited about it….It’s a really cool show,” said Saget.
The comedian, actor, director and producer has proven his comedy still has a bright future in the entertainment world, no matter what medium. But there will always be a place in his fans’ hearts for the beloved Danny Tanner, who for the record, “was not gay.”
Photo credit: Jenny Connell
