Brightest Young Things

Todd Barry is coming to town.  He'll be at the Arlington Drafthouse & Cinema for two nights only, February 19th and 20th.  If you miss him, you're lame.  Or retarded.  Possibly both.

You may have seen Todd at Bentzen Ball, or if you prefer to see people on big and small screens: as Mickey Rourke's not-so-nice boss in The Wrestler; as the annoying bongo player on HBO's Flight of the Conchords; or in roles on Sex And the City, The Larry Sanders Show, Chappelle's Show, The Sarah Silverman Program, Pootie Tang, and Road Trip . In 2003, he was named Entertainment Weekly's "It Standup". He's performed on Letterman, Conan, and in two of his own Comedy Central Presents specials. You can also hear his voice on many cartoons, including Dr. Katz: Professional Therapist, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Home Movies, Squidbillies, Hey Monie, Freak Show, and Lucy, The Daughter of the Devil.

We sat down with Todd a few weeks ago (via email, which is an awkward way to sit down with someone) and asked him a few questions about life, love and ice hockey.

BYT: You played the bongos on Flight of the Choncords.  How did that character arise?  Were you a bongo player in college?

Todd Barry: I’m a bit of a drummer, not necessarily a good one, but good enough to play a bad one on TV.

BYT: If you weren’t doing stand up, what would be your dream job?

TB: I’d probably be a  Jungian dream therapist. Did I misunderstand the question?

BYT: Oh snap. Who would win in a screaming match between you and Steven Wright?

TB: I’ll tell you who’d win, the woman sitting about ten from me at the coffee shop I’m at now. She’s pretty fucking loud, don’t you think?

BYT: Our readers are not MTV-watchers, but we’ve noticed a cult following of MTV’s Cribs, so we often ask those that we interview about their houses.  What is Todd Barry’s pad like?  How many pairs of shoes do you own?

TB: It’s weird that you’re a DC based blog, because my apartment is very similar to the White House.  Well, we have the same alarm system.

BYT: Alright then, how about you give us a tour of your Vice Presidential Suite at the Renaissance Hotel in DC (thanks Morgan Murphy)?

BYT: How did you find working with Mickey Rourke in 'the Wrestler'?

TB: I’ve always been a fan of his, so it was sort of surreal.  We didn’t really chat much, but he was nice.

BYT: You’re a New Yorker, tried and true.  What are your feelings on Shaun Avery being given a second chance by the New York Rangers?

TB: Is it weird that I don't even know who that is?  No, it's not weird. I'm an artist.

BYT: Why aren’t women funny?

TB: Women are funny. You were just going for "shock value" on that one.

BYT: Comedian word association, four words or less:

Darryl Hammond-- great impressions; from Florida
Cedric the Entertainer-- met him once, nice
Dickie Smothers-- funny
Lewis Black-- funny and very nice
Pauly Shore-- never met him
Tim Allen— never met him, either

BYT: Your wikipedia page states that you are 'extremely close friends with fellow comedian, Louis CK, and toured with him in 2009'.  Why do you think the writer felt the need to use the adjective 'extremely' when describing the closeness of your friendship with Louis CK?

TB: That is funny.  I feel like "close friends" would've covered it. Or just "friends." Or maybe even that thing about ships passing in the night.

BYT: Your meeting of Ian MacKaye has become the stuff of Bentzen Ball legend.  DC Hardcore fans are quite curious to know what the experience was like.  Are you guys BFF now?  Extremely close?

TB: We are super tight. Perhaps he will come to my show in Arlington.

BYT: We were thinking about writing a situational comedy with you and Mr. MacKaye raising a flamboyantly gay son (along the lines of that Eighties show, 'My Two Dads').  Todd Barry & Ian MacKaye star in 'Raising Cale'.  We even thought of a catchphrase: "Hardcore laughs!"  Has a nice ring to it, right?  I'm sure TLC would pick something like that up.

BYT: I'm sure you get asked a lot, but would you mind telling us a little bit about your experience working with Mitch Hedberg in his (I believe) unreleased film: Los Enchiladas?

TB: I’m pretty sure that was an all-night shoot. It was at a hotel that was open during filming, so we’d have to step aside if someone needed to check in. That film is supposed to come out on DVD at some point, but I’m not sure when.

BYT: You were born and raised in New York and you live there today.  Did you ever get the urge to chase the Southern California dream and move to Hollywood?

TB: I think about it when it’s freezing in New York.  Should I move there?

BYT: No, California is filled with swindlers and thieves.  Which metal bands are the biggest pussies?

TB: Air Supply

BYT: Actually, THIS is the question with which we were going for "shock value".  And all you came up with was 'Air Supply'.  Epic fail.  If you had said something like 'Superjoint Ritual' or 'Down' or any other non-Pantera band fronted by Phil Anselmo, you would have been correct.

TB: Is that so? (Ed. note: Todd didn't say this)

BYT: We can change your answer to 'Dragonforce' if you'd like.  They're sort of pussies, as illustrated by this video, although the guitarist does shred.

TB: I'll stick with 'Air Supply'. (Ed. note: Todd didn't say this either, but this is what I imagine he would have said if I gave him a hard time about saying Air Supply)

BYT: You're quite a traveler, word on the street is that you like Marriott hotels.  In your humble opinion, what's your favorite restaurant outside of New York?  Something nobody should miss.

TB: I’m going to change your question a bit. I know you’re looking for some “hidden gem” of a restaurant, but I’m going to tell you my favorite restaurant chain: Steak and Shake. Ever been?

Want more:

Check out Todd Barry's bentzen ball profile here, follow him on twitter here and makes sure to check him out at Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse February 19th and 20th: 2 days only

Previously in comedy:

• 2/10: Behind The Desk 35: Spotting THE Crazy In the Arts (Vol. 2)
• 2/7: LiveDC: Demetri Martin @ Warner Theatre
• 1/24: LiveDC: Adam Carolla @ Fillmore
• 1/20: Behind The Desk 32: Eddie Brill Is Common
• 1/17: LiveDC: JB Smoove @ 930 Club
• 12/8: Tom Arnold - Up Close & Very Nice
• 12/5: LiveDC: Michael Ian Black @ Sixth and I Synagogue
• 12/5: Lauren Weedman-BUSTED
• 12/1: R.I.P. Patrice O'Neal - brilliant 1969 to 2011
• 11/30: BYT Interview: Michael Ian Black